Chislehurst

Chislehurst is a suburban settlement in south east London, England and an electoral ward of the London Borough of Bromley.

Toponymy
The name "Chislehurst" is derived from the Saxon words cisel 'gravel', and hyrst 'wooded hill'.

History
Camden Place (now Chislehurst Golf Club) is where the French Emperor Napoleon III died in exile in 1873. His body and that of the Prince Imperial were buried originally in St Mary's Church, before they were removed to St Michael's Abbey, Farnborough. There is a memorial to Napoléon Eugène on Chislehurst Common, and the area's connections with the imperial family are found in many road names and in the local telephone code, 467, which in its earlier format corresponded to the letters IMP (for imperial).

Chislehurst Common (and nearby St Paul's Cray Common) were saved from development in 1888 following campaigns by local residents, They were very popular target for bank holiday trips in the early 20thC, and now provide a valuable green space. Nearby Petts Wood, Hawkwood and Scadbury have also been preserved as open spaces following local campaigns. A local attraction is Chislehurst Caves. The caves are considered to be of very ancient origin. They were originally used to mine flint and chalk. During World War II, thousands of people used them nightly as an air raid shelter. There is even a chapel. One child was born in the caves during World War II, and was given a middle name of 'Cavina'. The caves have also been used as a venue for live music; Jimi Hendrix, The Who and The Rolling Stones have all played there. The caves are reputedly haunted, and Druids are said to have made grisly human sacrifices in their depths. A number of television programmes and films, including episodes of Doctor Who, have been filmed there. Tours are available most days, and on Sundays there used to be an extended tour, lasting approximately one and a half hours, although this no longer takes place. Tours are normally on the hour. There is a licenced bar and café at the caves.

The Chislehurst civil parish formed an urban district of Kent from 1894 to 1934. In 1934 it became part of the Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District, which was split in 1965 between the London boroughs of Bromley and Bexley.

Chislehurst is home to the Derwent House, designed by William Willett.

Chislehurst was also home to the Viscount Sydney family, after which Sydney, Australia is named. The ruins of the family's moated manor house can still be seen in Scadbury Park, now a nature reserve.

A water tower used to straddle the road from Chislehurst to Bromley until it was demolished in 1963 as one of the last acts of the Chislehurst and Sidcup UDC. It marked the entrance to the Wythes Estate in Bickley, but its narrow archway meant that double-decker buses were not able to be used on the route.

Chislehurst today
Chislehurst is regarded as an affluent area and one of the most expensive places to live in Bromley. Chislehurst West (perversely to the north-east of Chislehurst) may be found by going towards Mottingham, and this area includes the biggest of the ponds, and the High Street, which has many pubs and restaurants. Chislehurst West was previously known as 'Pricking' and 'Prickend'.

Chislehurst is one of the starting points for the Green Chain Walk, linking to places such as Crystal Palace, Erith, the Thames Barrier and Thamesmead.

Education

 * Beaverwood School for Girls
 * Bullers Wood School (all-girls')
 * Coopers Technology College
 * Chislehurst C of E Primary School

Famous residents

 * Malcolm Campbell, former land and water speed record holder, was born in Chislehurst and is buried in St. Nicholas Parish Church next to his parents.
 * Richmal Crompton, author of the Just William series of books for children of all ages.
 * Craig Fairbrass, British Actor
 * Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, President of France 1848–52, Emperor of the French 1854–70.
 * Alan Watts, philosopher, born and raised in Chislehurst, moved to the United States in 1938.
 * William Willett, a campaigner for daylight saving time, lived most of his adult life in Chislehurst.
 * Sir Francis Walsingham, spy master to Elizabeth I, and his son, Sir Thomas Walsingham.
 * Siouxsie Sioux, singer, most famous for being in the band Siouxsie and the Banshees
 * Gianfranco Zola - Former and Chelsea footballer, and most recently, manager of West Ham United.
 * George Somers Leigh Clarke (1822–1882, eminent architect lived at Walpole, Manor Park and number a important local houses. He is buried in the St Nicholas' churchyard.
 * E. J. May (1853–1941), architect, lived locally and designed a number of local buildings.
 * Robert Diamond CEO of Barclays Bank PLC.
 * Pixie Lott, a well known English singer/songwriter, dancer and actress; was born in Bromley, but attended stage school in Chislehurst before rising to pop stardom in 2009.
 * Dizzee Rascal, hip-hop artist and rapper)
 * Michael Jackson was going to rent a manor house (believed to be Foxbury Manor in Kemnal Road) during his final concerts in London prior to his death in 2009.
 * Claus Jensen, a former professional footballer, resided in the Kemnal Road area whilst playing for Charlton Athletic.

Places of worship

 * Chislehurst Baptist Church, Mead Road
 * St Patrick's Catholic Church, Redhill, Chislehurst
 * Christ Church, Lubbock Road
 * Elmstead Baptist Church, Elmstead Lane
 * Chislehurst Methodist Church
 * The Annuncation, High Street, Chislehurst
 * St. Nicholas, Church Lane, Chislehurst
 * Darul Uloom Mosque and School

Nearest places

 * Bickley
 * Bromley
 * Elmstead
 * Sidcup
 * Petts Wood
 * Mottingham
 * New Eltham
 * Eltham

Nearest railway stations

 * Chislehurst railway station
 * Elmstead Woods