Keston
The village of Keston is sited upon one of the most pleasant spots on the outskirts of London with its own common and that of nearby Hayes with their flora and fauna providing beautiful open spaces so near to the metropolise and both popular with walkers and visitors alike.
Keston has long been regarded as one of the most notable beauty spots on London’s outer periphery, the village has escaped the excesses that have blighted other places and retains in great measure its old rural charm despite the close proximity of Greater London of which it has in fairly recent history become part of! It is still possible to image the area as it was when Henry VIII WAS IN THE FIRST FLUSH OF ROMANCE WITH Anne Boleyn
This picturesque village dates back far beyond the church, which is around eight hundred years old and built slightly off kilter in that the nave turns a little to the north. Believed to be because the head of Jesus fell upon his right shoulder when he died on the cross, this is called a weeping chancel. Just as the Normans left us something of their time in Keston so did the Romans of which there are reminders a plenty, from Caesars Well, a spring on the common which feeds its three ponds and is also the source of the Ravensbourne , to an encampment mistakenly named by the Victorians as Caesars Camp. Julius Caesar did in fact visit the area in 55BC but it was Kestons earliest inhabitants, the people of the Iron Age who initially established a small farmstead on the lower slopes of the Ravensbourne Valley. The farmstead contained animal compounds and wooden huts housing what was in all likely hood a fairly affluent family for the time. These original settlers belonged to a large and powerful tribe who dominated the entire area and who’s territory in all probability stretched as far as the River Thames. They had so much manpower at their disposal that they were able to eventually build a hillfort at Holwood that encompassed 43 acres and was in the region of one mile in circumference, unfortunately what was left of the fencing was destroyed in the 18th century.. Although very little remains it is believed to be one of the most spectacular prehistoric sites in Kent and is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Not as vigorously protected but still important is another nearby site, a bench with a plaque commemorating an old oak that was not destroyed by the ignorance of man but destroyed by nature. Amongst the shady boughs of this particular ancient tree William Pitt and his good friend William Wilberforce would sit and set the world to rights, little knowing that what they believed futile one of them would actually achieve! Wilberforce wrote in his diary about a conversation that he had with Mr Pitt whilst standing beneath an old oak tree looking out upon the Vale of Keston, stating that, “ I resolved to give notice on a fit occasion in the House of Commons of my intention to bring forward the abolition of the slave trade."
Keston is situated within an affluent part of the county known as the “corridor of wealth” because of its appeal for the wealthier members of society who want rural charm but with easy access to the city. Contained within the parameters of the M25 and what is considered suburbia it still has an authentic rural charm which is very rarely found. This is has been created by its position, nestled within the Green Belt on the slopes of the North Downs which offer picturesque views of the Kentish countryside for those lucky enough to live within its confines. Substantial properties set within their own vast grounds or those within the gated community further enhance Keston’s reputation as an exclusive enclave for London’s elite.
developed over the past century to cater for the 20th century dream of a house and garden, not a suburbia built to house the home coming war heroes but sumptuous country piles surrounded by properties of a similar ilk catering for those of a / with a wealthy disposition. The homes that were built within the last decade or two have become even more xxxx than their counterparts built at the turn of the 19th century when the London elite were looking for little more than as showcases of success for those wanting tennis in the summer, musical evenings and bridge parties in the winter, at a suitable distance from work where the air was pure, have more than proved themselves. over the years a number of well known people have lived here. Our most famous past resident is undoubtedly former prime minister Margaret Thatcher who with her late husband Denis raised their then young children, Mark and Carol.
Despite providing what many would say is the best of both worlds, the facilities within the village are fairly limited with just a small number of shops and pubs catering for the inhabitants daily needs residents are more likely to head to the nearby Bromley town centre - home to one of the largest shopping centres in the South East, a weekly market and more extensive recreation facilities.
what Keston may lack in shopping facilities, is compensated by the fact that both London and Royal Tunbridge Wells are tantalisingly close, with London accessible in under 20 minutes and even closer is Bromley with ONE OF THE BEST AND PROBABLY LARGEST SHOPPING CENTRES WITHIN THE SOUTH EAST
There are always other compensations and Keston has these in plentiful supply
copyright© Wendy Stevenson 2011
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