The London Borough of Lewisham was created in 1965 from the old boroughs of Lewisham and Deptford, an area that was mostly in Kent. Its history includes rebels gathering on Blackheath in 1381, Henry VIII's dockyard at Deptford (the first Royal Dockyard), Elizabeth I knighting Francis Drake, Peter the Great studying shipbuilding at Sayes Court, Deptford's links with the slave trade, the Crystal Palace moving to Sydenham Hill, and bombing in the Second World War.
Oldest first
Newest first
🏰
Middle Ages
1066 – 1485
1166
📜
Blachehedfeld
The name Blackheath is recorded in 1166 as Blachehedfeld, which means 'dark, or black heath field'. A field here means an enclosure or clearing.
From the records: “The name is recorded in 1166 as Blachehedfeld which means "dark, or black heath field" – field denotes an enclosure or clearing.”
1381
📣
Rebels on the heath
Blackheath was a rallying point for Wat Tyler's Peasants' Revolt of 1381, and for Jack Cade's Kentish rebellion in 1450. Road names on the west side of the heath recall both.
From the records: “Blackheath was a rallying point for Wat Tyler's Peasants' Revolt of 1381, and for Jack Cade's Kentish rebellion in 1450, both recalled by road names on the west side of the heath.”
Late 1300s
🐎
The pilgrims' road
Deptford was on the pilgrimage route from London to Canterbury used by the pilgrims in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, from the late 1300s. It is mentioned in the prologue to 'The Reeve's Tale'.
From the records: “Deptford was part of the pilgrimage route from London to Canterbury used by the pilgrims in Chaucer's late 14th century Canterbury Tales, including a mention in the prologue to "The Reeve's Tale".”
1400
🤝
An emperor at Blackheath
In 1400 King Henry IV met the Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos at Blackheath. The emperor was touring western royal courts to seek support against the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I.
From the records: “In 1400, Henry IV of England met here with Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos who toured western royalty to seek support to oppose Bayezid I (Bajazet), the Ottoman Sultan.”
1415
🎺
Welcome home, Henry V
In 1415 the Lord Mayor and aldermen of London, in their robes of state, came to Blackheath in procession with 400 of the principal citizens, dressed in scarlet, to meet King Henry V on his return from the Battle of Agincourt.
From the records: “In 1415, the lord mayor and aldermen of London, in their robes of state, attended by 400 of the principal citizens, clothed in scarlet, came hither in procession to meet Henry V of England on his triumphant return from the Battle of Agincourt.”
👑
Tudors and Stuarts
1485 – 1714
1497
⚔️
The Battle of Deptford Bridge
The old ford at Deptford became a wooden and then a stone bridge. In 1497 rebels from Cornwall, led by Michael An Gof, marched on London protesting against punitive taxes, and were beaten by King Henry VII's forces at the Battle of Deptford Bridge.
From the records: “The ford developed into first a wooden then a stone bridge, and in 1497 saw the Battle of Deptford Bridge, in which rebels from Cornwall, led by Michael An Gof, marched on London protesting against punitive taxes, but were soundly beaten by the forces of King Henry VII.”
1513
⚓
The King's Yard
Deptford Strand was a modest fishing village on the Thames until Henry VIII used it for a royal dock. Deptford Dockyard, set up by Henry VIII in 1513, was the first Royal Dockyard, building ships for the Royal Navy. It was once known as the King's Yard.
From the records: “A second settlement, Deptford Strand or Deptford Strond, developed as a modest fishing village on the Thames until Henry VIII used that site for a royal dock for repairing, building and supplying ships, after which it grew in size and importance, shipbuilding remaining in operation until March 1869.”
1514
🧭
Trinity House
Trinity House, the organisation concerned with the safety of navigation around the British Isles, was formed in Deptford in 1514. Its first Master was Thomas Spert, captain of the Mary Rose. It moved to Stepney in 1618.
From the records: “Trinity House, the organisation concerned with the safety of navigation around the British Isles, was formed in Deptford in 1514, with its first Master being Thomas Spert, captain of the Mary Rose.”
1581
🗡️
Sir Francis Drake
On 4 April 1581 Queen Elizabeth I visited the royal dockyard at Deptford to knight the adventurer Francis Drake.
From the records: “Queen Elizabeth I visited the royal dockyard on 4 April 1581 to knight the adventurer Francis Drake.”
1593
🎭
Christopher Marlowe
The Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe was killed in a house in Deptford Strand in May 1593. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the churchyard of St Nicholas, Deptford, on 1 June 1593.
From the records: “The Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe was killed during an alleged drunken brawl in Eleanor Bull's house in Deptford Strand in May 1593.”
1607
📦
The East India Company
Deptford was important for trade as well as exploration. The Honourable East India Company had a yard there from 1607 until late in the 1600s. In 1825 the General Steam Navigation Company took it over.
From the records: “As well as for exploration, Deptford was important for trade – the Honourable East India Company had a yard in Deptford from 1607 until late in the 17th century, later (1825) taken over by the General Steam Navigation Company.”
1640s
💧
Healing springs
In the 1640s, springs of water in what is now Wells Park, Sydenham, were found to have medicinal properties, and crowds of people came to the area.
From the records: “In the 1640s, springs of water in what is now Wells Park were discovered to have medicinal properties, attracting crowds of people to the area.”
1652
📔
John Evelyn at Sayes Court
The diarist John Evelyn lived at Sayes Court, the manor house of Deptford, from 1652, after he married the daughter of its owner, Sir Richard Browne.
From the records: “Diarist John Evelyn lived in Deptford at Sayes Court, the manor house of Deptford, from 1652 after he had married the daughter of the owner of the house, Sir Richard Browne.”
1698
👑
A tsar learns shipbuilding
John Evelyn moved to Surrey in 1694. In 1698 Peter the Great, the Russian tsar, stayed at Sayes Court and studied shipbuilding for three months. Sayes Court was knocked down in 1728–9 and a workhouse was built on its site.
From the records: “After Evelyn had moved to Surrey in 1694, Peter the Great, the Russian tsar, studied shipbuilding for three months in 1698 while staying at Sayes Court.”
1705–1717
Still here today
🏘️
Albury Street
Albury Street in Deptford (once called Union Street) has a fine row of early urban houses, mostly built between 1705 and 1717. They were once popular with naval captains and shipwrights.
From the records: “Albury Street (previously Union Street) contains a fine row of early urban houses largely dating from 1705 to 1717 which were once popular with naval captains and shipwrights.”
1709–10
⛺
Tents for refugees
In 1709–10 army tents were put up on Blackheath for a large part of the 15,000 or so German refugees from the Palatinate and other regions who had fled to England. Most of them later settled in America or Ireland.
From the records: “In 1709–10, army tents were set up on Blackheath to house a large part of the 15,000 or so German refugees from the Palatinate and other regions who fled to England, most of whom subsequently settled in America or Ireland.”
1710
🏺
Roman urns
In 1710 several Roman urns were dug up, two of them of fine red clay. In 1803 more were found in the gardens of the Earl of Dartmouth and given to the British Museum.
From the records: “In 1710, several Roman urns were dug up, two of which were of fine red clay, one of a spherical, and the other of a cylindrical, form; and in 1803, several more were discovered in the gardens of the Earl of Dartmouth and given to the British Museum.”
1712–1730
⛪
St Paul's, Deptford
St Paul's Church, Deptford, was built between 1712 and 1730. The Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England praised it as one of the finest Baroque churches in the country. In 1730 the old parish of Deptford was split, and Deptford St Paul became a new parish.
From the records: “Paul's, Deptford (1712–1730) - built in the 18th century, acclaimed by the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England as one of the finest Baroque churches in the country.”
🎩
Georgians
1714 – 1837
1742
🍞
The Victualling Yard
In 1742 part of the land around Sayes Court was bought to build the Navy Victualling Yard. It had warehouses, a bakery, a cattle yard and sugar stores. It was renamed the Royal Victoria Victualling Yard in 1858 after a visit by Queen Victoria, and closed in 1961.
From the records: “Part of the estates around Sayes Court were purchased in 1742 for the building of the Navy Victualling Yard, which was renamed the Royal Victoria Victualling Yard in 1858 after a visit by Queen Victoria.”
1700s
🌼
Linnaeus and the gorse
In the 1700s Carl Linnaeus reportedly fell to his knees to thank God when he first saw the gorse growing on Blackheath.
From the records: “In the 18th century Carl Linnaeus reportedly fell to his knees to thank God when he first saw the gorse growing there.”
Around 1760
⛓️
Deptford and the slave trade
Deptford was connected with the slave trade. John Hawkins used it as a base for his operations. Around 1760 Olaudah Equiano, who was enslaved, was sold from one ship's captain to another in Deptford. Equiano later became an important part of the abolition of the slave trade.
From the records: “It was also connected with the slave trade, John Hawkins using it as a base for his operations, and Olaudah Equiano, the slave who became an important part of the abolition of the slave trade, was sold from one ship's captain to another in Deptford around 1760.”
c. 1793–1807
🏛️
The Paragon
Blackheath Park has large Georgian and Victorian houses, including The Paragon (around 1793–1807): Michael Searles' crescent of houses linked by colonnades.
From the records: “Built up in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it contains large and refined Georgian and Victorian houses – particularly Michael Searles' crescent of semi-detached/terrace houses linked by colonnades, The Paragon (c. 1793-1807).”
1809
🛶
The Croydon Canal
The Croydon Canal opened in 1809, linking the Grand Surrey Canal to Croydon, and a reservoir was built in Sydenham. Sydenham grew quickly in the 1800s. The canal had 28 locks and was not a commercial success: it closed in 1836, the first canal to be abandoned by an Act of Parliament. Its route was used for the London Bridge to Croydon railway, opened in 1839.
From the records: “Sydenham grew rapidly in the 19th century after the introduction of the Croydon Canal in 1809 which linked the Grand Surrey Canal to Croydon and a reservoir was constructed in Sydenham.”
c. 1836–38
Still here today
🚂
Deptford station
Deptford railway station was built around 1836–38 for the London and Greenwich Railway, the first suburban service, between London Bridge and Greenwich. It is one of the oldest suburban stations in the world.
From the records: “Deptford railway station is one of the oldest suburban stations in the world, being built (c.1836-38) as part of the first suburban service (the London and Greenwich Railway), between London Bridge and Greenwich.”
🚂
Victorians
1837 – 1901
1854
🏰
The Crystal Palace comes to Sydenham
In 1854 the Crystal Palace was moved to Sydenham Hill. Sydenham was historically a very affluent area.
From the records: “Historically, the area was very affluent, with the Crystal Palace being relocated to Sydenham Hill in 1854.”
1864
🚰
Deptford pumping station
Deptford pumping station, close to Deptford Creek, was built in 1864. It was part of London's sewerage system, designed by the civil engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette.
From the records: “Close to Deptford Creek is a Deptford pumping station, a Victorian pumping station built in 1864, part of the massive London sewerage system designed by civil engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette.”
1869
🛳️
The dockyard closes
Deptford's docks had been declining since the 1700s: bigger ships found the Thames hard to navigate, and new docks at Plymouth, Portsmouth and Chatham competed with it. After the Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815, fewer warships needed building and repairing, and the docks turned from shipbuilding to victualling at the Royal Victoria Victualling Yard. The Royal Dock closed in 1869; the site is now known as Convoys Wharf.
From the records: “The Docks had been gradually declining from the 18th century; the larger ships being built found the Thames difficult to navigate, and Deptford was under competition from the new docks at Plymouth, Portsmouth and Chatham.”
1891
⚡
Deptford Power Station
Deptford Power Station, in use from 1891 to 1983, began as a pioneering plant designed by Sebastian de Ferranti. When it was built it was the largest power station in the world.
From the records: “The former Deptford Power Station, in use from 1891 to 1983, originated as a pioneering plant designed by Sebastian de Ferranti, which when built was the largest station in the world.”
1894
🎶
The Albany
The Albany began as a charity set up in 1894 to improve the social life of Deptford's deprived community. Its first building, the Albany Institute, opened on Creek Road in 1899. It burnt down in 1978 and was rebuilt on Douglas Way, and Diana, Princess of Wales opened it in 1982. It has held 15 'Rock Against Racism' concerts.
From the records: “The Albany Theatre, a community arts centre with a tradition of "radical community arts and music" including holding 15 "Rock Against Racism" concerts, has its roots in a charity established in 1894 to improve the social life of Deptford's deprived community.”
1900
Still here today
🕰️
Lewisham clock tower
Lewisham's clock tower, a local landmark, was finished in 1900 to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Lewisham also has a daily street market.
From the records: “It is home to a daily street market and a local landmark, the clock tower, completed in 1900 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897.”
✈️
The World Wars
1901 – 1945
1932
🐕
Catford Stadium
From 1932 until 2003 Catford Stadium was a greyhound racing track. It closed, was destroyed by fire in 2005 and was then knocked down to make way for new housing.
From the records: “Between 1932 and 2003, Catford Stadium was a successful greyhound racing track, but was closed and then destroyed by fire in 2005 and ultimately demolished to make way for new housing.”
1944
💥
Bombs in the Second World War
Deptford was damaged by bombing in the Second World War. In November 1944 a V-2 rocket destroyed a Woolworths store in New Cross Gate, killing 160 people. In 1944 a V-1 flying bomb hit Lewisham town centre, with over 300 casualties including 51 deaths. The high street was fully restored by the mid-1950s.
From the records: “Deptford experienced economic decline in the 20th century with the closing of the docks, and the damage caused by the bombing during the Blitz in the Second World War – in November 1944 a V-2 rocket destroyed a Woolworths store in New Cross Gate, killing 160 people - contributing to the 703 civilian deaths caused by enemy action within Deptford Metropolitan Borough throughout the war.”
1945
🏠
The Excalibur Estate
At the end of the Second World War the Excalibur Estate of 186 bungalows was laid out in Bellingham, south of Catford. By 2011 it was the largest surviving prefab estate in Britain.
From the records: “At the end of World War II, the 186-bungalow Excalibur Estate was laid out in Bellingham, south of Catford, and by 2011 was the largest surviving prefab estate in Britain.”
🏙️
Modern times
Since 1945
1955
🛒
A record supermarket
In 1955 Sainsbury's opened a store in Lewisham that was reported to be Europe's largest self-service supermarket, with 7,500 square feet of shop space.
From the records: “In 1955 Sainsbury's opened a store in Lewisham which was reported to be Europe's largest self-service supermarket, with 7,500 square feet of retail space, although the one now incorporated in the 1977 shopping centre is much smaller.”
1965
🗺️
A new London borough
The London Borough of Lewisham was created in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, joining the old metropolitan boroughs of Lewisham and Deptford. Both had been formed in 1900.
From the records: “The larger London Borough of Lewisham was created in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, as an amalgamation of the former area of the metropolitan boroughs of Lewisham and Deptford.”
1966
🏢
The Pepys Estate
The Pepys Estate opened on 13 July 1966 on the former grounds of the Victualling Yard.
From the records: “The Pepys Estate, opened on 13 July 1966, is on the former grounds of the Victualling Yard.”
1977
📢
The Battle of Lewisham
In 1977, at the Battle of Lewisham, 500 members of the National Front tried to march through the area. They and their police escort were attacked by more than 4,000 counter-demonstrators.
From the records: “In 1977, the Battle of Lewisham saw 500 members of the National Front, who were attempting to march through the area, and their police escort, attacked by more than 4,000 counter-demonstrators.”
Late 1970s
🎸
Deptford Fun City Records
In the late 1970s Miles Copeland III set up a record label, Deptford Fun City Records, for Deptford bands such as Alternative TV and Squeeze.
From the records: “A record label, Deptford Fun City Records was set up by Miles Copeland III, brother of Stewart Copeland, in the late 1970s as an outlet for Deptford bands such as Alternative TV and Squeeze.”
2003
💃
The Laban Dance Centre
The Laban Dance Centre at Creekside, beside Deptford Creek, opened in February 2003. It was designed by the Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron.
From the records: “Creekside, a regeneration area beside Deptford Creek, is used for educational and artistic purposes, such as the Laban Dance Centre, which was designed by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, and opened in February 2003; and the Art in Perpetuity Trust (APT) gallery and studio space.”