Chelsfield
| Chelsfield | |
|---|---|
 Chelsfield
|
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| Chelsfield shown within Greater London | |
| Population | 14,507 (2011 Census. Chelsfield and Pratts Bottom Ward) |
| OS grid reference | TQ482642 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ORPINGTON |
| Postcode district | BR6 |
| Dialling code | 01689 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament | |
| London Assembly | |
Chelsfield is a large village in South East London, England within the London Borough of Bromley. It is located south east of Orpington, near London's county border with Kent.
The name is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Cillesfelle, meaning land of a man called Cēol.
It formed an ancient parish, and later civil parish of 3,378 acres (14 km2), in Kent. It was part of the Bromley Rural District from 1894. The parish included Green Street Green and Pratt's Bottom and stretched as far as Cudham and Orpington. The parish was abolished in 1934 and its former area became part of the Orpington parish and urban district. In 1965 it was transferred to Greater London, to form part of the London Borough of Bromley.
In practice, Chelsfield is split into two very distinct areas; the historic Chelsfield Village sited to the East of the main Orpington bypass (the A224) and the area New Chelsfield which grew up in the first half of the 20th century after the sale of some of the Waring family estates. Although only about 1 mile (1.6 km) apart from each other, they are very different in nature.
The A224, known here as Court Road, now separates the historic village from its Anglican church which is dedicated to St Martin of Tours and which dates back, in parts, to the 12th Century.
Chelsfield Village has a primary school, a playground, a village hall and playing fields used by the local cricket club. In the 50s the village fielded a football team of sorts, and in the early 60s a ladies hockey team had a pitch next to the village hall. This latter lasted but a couple of seasons. On one corner of the field there was also two tennis courts but unused, they 'disappeared' late in the 60s. There is a pub, the Five Bells, and the church Parish Rooms sited next to the 'new' (70s?) Rectory in Skibbs Lane. There are no shops at all. Neal's Store - a grocer cum ironmonger - closed in the early 60s. The post office, latterly run by Mrs Lambert, closed at a later date. The privately operated Chelsfield Park Hospital is situated on the outskirts of the village, in extensive grounds. The house had a magnificent sweeping staircase going up in the entrance hall. Post-war (WWII) 'Chelsfield House' was used as a 'reception centre' (??) for families awaiting a council house. Certainly, one family moved from here to a council house at Kilnfields, in Hollybush Lane. The 70s map shows Orlestone Gardens next to the village school, and this is the site of the 'old' rectory, and its large rambling gardens which shared a fence with the school playground. In 1962 the gardens were overgrown and neglected, sporting several decaying beehives - and soon after, the 'new' rectory was built in Skibbs Lane.
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