Foots Cray & North Cray

Foots Cray & North Cray were once two separate villages along the Cray Valley both dating back to Saxon times. Today, it is difficult to know where one begins and the other ends!

In the nineteenth century the area consisted mainly of several large estates with their fine country houses such as Mount Mascal, Vale Mascal, Loring Hall (then known as ‘North Cray Villa’) North Cray Place, Foots Cray Place and Pike Place. Unfortunately, today only two of these remain. Loring Hall is to be a home for people with learning difficulties and Vale Mascal is a private residence and a popular venue for weddings.

The construction of the North Cray Road dual carriageway decimated the village and resulted in the demolition of several buildings including the old rectory, infant school, almshouses and the village shop, and a medieval hall house, which has now been re-­erected at the Weald & Downland Museum at Singleton.

Since the War there has been considerable housing development in the area although some of the old village centres still remain and both Foots Cray and North Cray have Conservation Areas.

St James Church North Cray was rebuilt in the 1850s although a church has existed on the site since the tenth century. It contains a number of interesting artefacts. All Saints Foots Cray is basically a twelfth century building which was substantially renovated in the eighteen hundreds. Both churches have some notable memorials in their graveyards and are Grade II listed buildings.

The area is probably best known for Foots Cray Meadows, which is one of the largest natural open spaces in the Borough. It contains several nature reserves and has been awarded a Green Flag. The Five Arch Bridge at the head of the lake is perhaps the most photographed construction in the Borough!

More information about both Foots Cray & North Cray can be found in the Society’s Walks Booklets.

Article prepared by the late Colin Wollweber

New Area Representative is John Harrington

Bexley Civic Society