A 1903 advertisement for Benjamin Horton, the local coal and timber merchant. Horton’s coal office still survives on the old station site at the edge of London Road, currently housing a barber’s shop (2019).
Reference: WH0111
Alongside being Dr. Hay’s gardener, Arthur Finch appears to have become his chauffeur as well, probably in the early 1930s when Dr. Cotton retired. Here he is standing on the front drive of Dr. Hay’s house, then called ‘Borde Hill’ on Vicarage Hill (now renamed as ‘Old Mill Leat’). Rosemary Pearson recalls “…Doctor Hay’s daughter Jean moved ...
Reference: WH0165
On October 30th 2011 the Spa Valley Railway simulated the final days of the Westerham Valley Railway to commemorate 50 years since the closure of the branch line. Here a train of four coaches recreates the final day of services, Saturday October 28th 1961 appearing to chuff its way past Chevening Halt heading for Brasted. ...
Reference: WH0153
The ‘tablet’ was part of an electrical blocking system used to ensure there was only one moving locomotive on the branch-line at any moment in time. The large loop handle of the tablet made catching easier if this had to happen while the train was moving.
Reference: WH0119
Clive Gardiner designed this advert in 1937 for the Green Line Coach Company. In an eye-catching naive but colourful style, it shows Elm View Mill beside the Round Pond in Mill Lane at the west-end of town. For more information, click here
Reference: 0081
This accident caused by brake failure occurred at the foot of Westerham Hill in 1912 and shows the extent of damage sustained to the vehicle.
Reference: 0102
Several large employers would give their workers an annual summer outing, by rail or coach, often to the sea-side. Here we see workers and their families from Westerham Nursery en-route to Margate in the 1950s.
Reference: WH0166
Photographed behind the Warde Arms in the High Street, John and Mary Townsend were owners of the ‘Pride of Westerham’ a much coveted coach-and-four. The date is 1891 and the photograph was taken by Arthur Thomas Deane, who had his photographic studio at the top of London Road. John Townsend was a highly respected Gentleman ...
Reference: WH0121
In amongst the undergrowth right beside the M25 on the site of Brasted Station goods yard, the remains of the coal staithe posts, though the boards have rotted away. As well as fuel for the locomotives, coal was sold from this yard to residents from the village by George Alderson, the local coal merchant who ...
Reference: WH0127
The proximity to the M25 is clearly seen here. The station building at Brasted stood where the hard-shoulder is now and the trackbed would be under the inside-lane. The goods yard site is now in private ownership as a gated storage area.
Reference: WH0124