To the west of Dartford, the
original village was remote, supremely rural and
important only for agriculture. The coming of the
railways changed all that and Bexley quickly
expanded. Nevertheless it has a long history
dating back to 814 when the King of the Mercians
granted land here to Wulfrud, Archbishop of
Canterbury. Tools and other artefacts from the new
Stone Ages, the Bronze and Iron Ages and Roman
times have been found. Bexley has some magnificent
houses – including Red House, designed by artist
William Morris. The foundations of 12th
century Lesness Abbey are also on view.
