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Orpington History

Some of my correspondents have been kind enough to send me copies of older photographs and other documents of Orpington and the surrounding area. In some cases, I've taken a photograph of the same scene today.

Click on each thumbnail to see the main pictures.

Orpington High Street 1967 [TW]
Orpington High Street, 1967 (St Georges Day Parade)

Orpington High Street 1971 [LF]
Orpington High Street, towards War Memorial, 1971  Orpington High Street, 477 Bus outside Cinema, 1971  Orpington High Street, Commodore Cinema, 1971  Orpington High Street, Berhardt & Son Jewellers Clock, 1971

Orpington High Street, Seeboard, 1971  Orpington High Street from Knoll Rise, 1971  Orpington High Street, Coach and Horses Pub (now demolished) on Right, 1971  Orpington High Street, Dolcis and Halfords, 1971

Orpington High Street, Sketchley, 1971  Orpington High Street, Woolworths, 1971  Orpington High Street, Coop and Mark1, 1971

Orpington High Street [PC]
Postcard of Orpington High Street  Postcard of Orpington High Street

Chislehurst Road Junior and Infant Schools 1971 [LF]
Chislehurst Road Infants School, 1971  Chislehurst Road Junior School, Boys Entrance, 1971  Chislehurst Road Junior School, Girls Entrance, 1971  Chislehurst Road Schools, 1971

Charterhouse Road School 1971 [LF]
Charterhouse Road School, 1971  Charterhouse Road School, 1971

Station Road [PC]
Postcard of Station Road

Other Orpington 1971 [LF]
Moorfield Road, 1971  Chislehurst Road, 1971  Vinson Close from Station Road Car Park, 1971  Looking North from Station Road Car Park, 1971

Eynsford 1959 [TH]
The Ford at Eynsford  The River and Pub (Right) at Eynsford  The Ford at Eynsford

Eynsford 1993 [TH]
The Ford at Eynsford, 1993  The Malt Shovel Inn, Eynsford, 1993

Hewitts Farm 1912 [AB]
Hewitts Farm, 1912

Midfield Primary School 1963 [TH]
Midfield Primary School, 1963

Horwoods Gravel Pit, Green St Green [RA]
Mammoth Teeth Found in Horwoods Gravel Pit, 1926  Mammoth Teeth Found Here!
This is a photo of one set of Mammoth Bones found in Horwoods Gravel Pit, Green St Green about 1926. They are now in South Kensington Museum. The right hand photo shows the approximate location by the A21 where they were found.

Orpington Bypass Construction, 1926 [RA]
Fordyce Brothers Advert  Orpington War Memorial and Spur Road  Orpington Bypass Construction, 1926  Orpington Bypass Construction, 1926

Five Bells, Chelsfield [RS]
wpe3.gif (165490 bytes)

There are a selection of DVD's about the local area available. These are produced by Jim Howitt, a well known local historian:

A Look Back at Orpington
A Look Back at St Mary Cray
Petts Wood Past & Present
Bromley Common & Keston
The Millenium Dome
Twelve Ancient Villages around Orpington (coming shortly)

They cost £12 each (all profits to the Special Baby Care unit at Farnborough (Princess Royal) Hospital), and can be obtained from Derek Allen, phone 020 8462 1735. Jim also gives talks to schools and various organisations; contact Derek for more details.

Many thanks to the contributors to this page:
Allan Brooks
Tony Holmes
Roy Allchorne
Les Forrow
Ted Wheeler
Peter Coell
Richard Sinfield

Unfortunately, these are all the older photos of the area that we have. Additional photos or information are always gratefully received. Material can be uploaded to ftp://ftp.wsn.co.uk/incoming/ (no login required, but do let us know via the Contact Form if you've uploaded something), or use the Contact Form for further details.


Unless otherwise indicated, all information on this site is the copyright of Wheeler Systems Ltd.; you are welcome to use or keep a copy for your personal use, but not to pass it off as your own!