Hayes, Bromley
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| Hayes | |
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| OS Grid Reference: | Template:Gbmappingsmall |
| Administration | |
| Borough: | Bromley |
| County: | Greater London |
| Region: | Greater London |
| Nation: | England |
| Other | |
| Ceremonial County: | Greater London |
| Traditional County: | Kent |
| Post Office and Telephone | |
| Post town: | BROMLEY |
| Postcode: | BR2 |
| Dialling Code: | 020 |
Hayes is a place in the London Borough of Bromley, south-east London. It has two main areas of activity: the ancient village, once an ancient parish in Kent and suburban Hayes.
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Village described
The ancient village
Hayes village stood at the junction of Hayes Lane, leading north to Bromley (one mile distant), and what is now known as Pickhurst Lane, leading west to West Wickham. The centre of the old village is now called Hayes Street. The parish church of St Mary is located here; as was the village school. The public house, also on Hayes Lane, is called The George. Hayes Street Farm, still shown on modern maps, is located to the north of the village centre.
Both William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708-1778), and William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806) lived at Hayes Hall. The Hall was demolished in 1933 and the site redeveloped, but roads in the area bear witness to them: Chatham and Pittsmead Avenues are two examples.
The branch railway from Elmers End, originally known as the West Wickham and Hayes Railway, was opened on May 29 1882. Hayes station is a terminus.
Today the area contains a Post Office and some small shops; the main shopping area being near the station. The village school is now used as a community centre.
Suburban Hayes
Much of the area to the west and north-west of the original village has been taken over by suburbia. West Wickham and Bromley are completely joined with Hayes; and Coney Hall estate, beyond the Orpington - Croydon road is also part of the pattern. To the east and south, however, the open space of Hayes Common precludes building of any kind.
There are numerous playing fields around the periphery of Hayes: such clubs as Hayes Cricket Club use them.
Station Approach is now the main shopping area in Hayes, containing a second Post Office, petrol station, two mini-supermarkets (a Sainsbury's Local and an Iceland) and numerous small shops. It also contains a public house called The New Inn which is run under the Harvester brand.
External links
- Hayes village website - contains an 1872 map (http://www.hayesvillage.org/)
- Hayes Cricket Club (http://www.hayescricket.co.uk/)