Bexley Archives

Bexley Archives Bexley Local Studies and Archives Centre. Located on the first floor of Central Library, Bexleyheath.
(1)

The Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre holds historic materials for the London Borough of Bexley located at Central Library. The centre holds a variety of sources for local and family historians and people researching the history of a building or house.

An exhibition here at Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre commemorates the Old Bexley United Football Club. Presente...
11/06/2026

An exhibition here at Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre commemorates the Old Bexley United Football Club.

Presented by www.thelifeandtimesofbexleyunitedfc.co.uk, the display points to 1960-61 as the most successful season in the club’s history by winning the Kent Senior Cup and being promoted to the Southern League Premier Division.

Another highlight was in 1966 when the official switching on of the new floodlights coincided with playing West Ham United.

The exhibition can be seen at Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre on the first floor of Central Library, Bexleyheath during normal opening hours – Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 5.30pm. It continues until the end of June.

On Saturday 18 July we have a guided walk, ‘A Rebellious Ramble through the Loyalist Land’ with Community Archivist Oliv...
11/06/2026

On Saturday 18 July we have a guided walk, ‘A Rebellious Ramble through the Loyalist Land’ with Community Archivist Oliver Wooller.

To mark the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, Community Archivist Oliver Wooller will lead a walk starting at Danson House, home of Captain John Johnstone who fought at the Battle of Saratoga. It will finish at Hall Place, the property of Francis Dashwood, Lord Le Despencer - a friend of Benjamin Franklin - whose tenant, Captain George Calvert may have been present at the siege of Yorktown. The walk will pass numerous sites of historic interest in the Borough, not limited to the American Revolution.

Tickets: £5

To book your place please call 020 3045 3369, email [email protected] or visit the centre (open 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday).

Pictured here is Hall Place in 1806.

9th JuneOn this day in 68 AD the Emperor Nero committed su***de to avoid capture by mutinous soldiers. Notorious for his...
09/06/2026

9th June
On this day in 68 AD the Emperor Nero committed su***de to avoid capture by mutinous soldiers. Notorious for his persecution of Christians, Nero's reign had also seen the rebellion of Boadicea in Britain and the destruction of London by her Iceni warriors.

3rd JuneOn this day in 1162 Thomas Becket, a close friend of King Henry II and up to that time Lord Chancellor of Englan...
03/06/2026

3rd June
On this day in 1162 Thomas Becket, a close friend of King Henry II and up to that time Lord Chancellor of England, was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury. He would hold this office until his murder in 1170 fiercely defending the rights of the Church against the claims of the Crown. As Archbishop, Becket was also Lord of the Manor of Bexley. After his martyrdom he would become co-patron of Lesnes Abbey with the Blessed Virgin Mary.

As part of our programme of guided walks for this year, on Saturday 20 June we have A Walk Around Welling, with Archives...
02/06/2026

As part of our programme of guided walks for this year, on Saturday 20 June we have A Walk Around Welling, with Archives Officer Penny Duggan.

Welling was once a hamlet surrounded by woodland, farmland and heathland. But its position on one of the most important routes in the country - the London to Dover road – made it a convenient place for weary travellers to stop at the coaching inns and beerhouses which flourished there.

On this walk with Archives Officer Penny Duggan we will look at the development of Welling from a cluster of houses into a bustling high street with shops and cinemas, and we will consider the events which have had an impact on its history.

Tickets: £5

To book your place please call 020 3045 3369, email [email protected] or visit the centre (open 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday).

Pictured here is the Odeon cinema in Upper Wickham Lane, Welling.

A new exhibition opens here today commemorating the Old Bexley United Football Club which was wound up 50 years ago in J...
01/06/2026

A new exhibition opens here today commemorating the Old Bexley United Football Club which was wound up 50 years ago in June 1976.

Presented by www.thelifeandtimesofbexleyunitedfc.co.uk, the display takes us through the highs and lows of the club from its beginnings in the 1920s. Who were the managers and players, and where did they play? What did they do in the ‘big freeze’ of 1963 when snow stopped play?

Also on display are some programmes from the Bexley Local Studies collection.

The exhibition can be seen at Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre during normal opening hours – Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 5.30pm.

30th MayOn this day in 1381 the imposition of an unpopular poll tax led to the Peasants Revolt, an uprising in Essex and...
30/05/2026

30th May
On this day in 1381 the imposition of an unpopular poll tax led to the Peasants Revolt, an uprising in Essex and Kent. At Lesnes Abbey a mob broke into the monastery on 2 June and compelled the Abbot to give them his support. The rebels under Wat Tyler marched on London, where they succeeded in capturing the Tower of London and murdering Simon Sudbury, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord High Chancellor. Richard II promised them a pardon and to grant their demand to abolish serfdom. A truce was arranged between the King and the insurgents at Smithfield on 15 June, where Tyler was slain after an argument with the Mayor of London, William Walworth. However, Richard was able to calm the enraged Peasants and persuade them to return to their homes. When they complied with his request the King revoked both the pardon and the concessions and the leading rebels were arrested and executed. Those condemned included Sampson Kyrseye of Bexley, who was convicted of High Treason and beheaded. He was not, however, a poor peasant. A valuation of his goods and chattels alone came to £5.13s.4d.
1. Death of Wat Tyler
2. Richard II

Address

Townley Road
Bexleyheath
DA67HJ

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+442030453369

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bexley Archives posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Bexley Archives:

Shortcuts

Share

Category