Discussions (62)
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The Carew River is a tributary of the Dolgleddau, or Cleddau, River in Pembr...by theholyllama ages ago
The River Cray
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
This river, approximately nine miles in length, commences at Orpington Ponds, and flows via St. Mary Cray, St. Paul's Cray, Footscray, North Cray, Bexley and Crayford before joining the River Darent near Dartford. |
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sue tortoise says:
This information is very interesting to me: born and raised in Sidcup until my 20's. For all that 'Five Arches Meadows' was just at the end of our road, and I spent many happy childhood days down by the river, I've got no pictures of it and knew very little about it.
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Hi, Sue, |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
This photo shows the Cray at Crayford Marshes, just before it joins the Darent River. The Cray is tidal at this point, and sluice gates (behind the photographer) control the flow of the Cray as the Wansunt Stream and the Stanham River are pumped into the creek. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Crayford Creek in all its glory! Here, flow to the creek (a short channel of the Cray) has been temporarily halted, controlled by a sluice gate at Bakers Mill Pond, until water from the Wansunt Stream has been pumped in. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Two more views of Crayford Creek:- |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Bakers Mill Pond as seen from Thames Road bridge. The river divides at this point for a short distance, but continues to flow behind the jumble in the background. On the right hand bank can be seen the sluice gate used to control water flow into the creek. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Bakers Mill Pond in Edwardian times, a great deal larger in those days. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
The Cray, flowing east having passed through Bakers Mill pond. Remains of he old Vitbe mill can be seen above the sluice. The sluice itself appears to be the remains of foundations to an earlier mill built on the site. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
The Cray flowing east towards the Darent. It will be joined by the creek, just beyond the railway bridge in the distance. |
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electropod says:
Great research, Steve, and some marvellous photos. You seem to get into the most awkward places in search of the river's essential character
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
I have to admit that I often get my fifteen year old son to take the awkward shots for me. I'm not as agile as I used to be! |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Thank you for your kind comments WW, very much appreciated. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Continuing our epic journey along the Cray, we pass under Thames Road bridge at Bakers Mill Pond and into the stretch which runs alongside Barnes Cray Fields. This area has recently received minor alterations in a road widening scheme, with the addition of a new brick-faced bridge built to carry traffic on a new carriageway between Dartford and Erith. The old bridge is a fairly nondescript concrete affair, now largely hidden from view and used soley to carry west to east traffic. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
The North West Kent Sewer crosses the Cray at this point, and three elderly valve control cages can be seen in the vicinity. This one stands a little to the right in Barnes Cray Fields. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
A tributary of the Cray is the Wansunt Stream which flows through Crayford from an area near Dartford Heath. It is piped through most of the former Vickers' works, and emerges east of Maiden Lane bridge where it runs adjacent to the Cray as far as Thames Road, then out into the Creek. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Barnes Cray Field itself was largely industrial until the mid 1900s. Traces no longer exist, apart from the remains of an iron lattice bridge used to transport Vickers' steam locomotives between their Crayford works and the Creek. The railway crossed the Wansunt Stream (as seen here) and ran alongside the Cray to a level crossing at Thames Road. It was out of use by the 1950s, and the remaining traces which included the level crossing, the Maiden Lane Bridge and adjoining fiddle yard, were removed by 1970. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
The Wansunt Stream looking from the iron lattice bridge towards the former Vickers' works at Maiden Lane. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Worth a special mention is the wetland currently being developed between the Wansunt Stream and the Stanham river at Thames Road. Industrial activity over the past 50 years or so has seen a sharp decline in the land as suitable habitat for wildlife. It is hoped that this commendable effort will go some way to restoring the balance. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Back to the Cray, now, and this 1980 view shows the stretch between Barnes Cray Field and Crayford Way, looking towards Thames Road. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
One of the more pleasant parts of the Cray along this stretch is the area beside the Maiden Lane road bridge. Swans can often be seen here in the summer months, plus the occasional grass-snake and water vole on the bank opposite. The building is Barnes Cray Cottages, built around 1695. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
I couldn't resist posting this picture of Barnes Cray Cottages. It stands on land occupied by three barns of similar age (although much modified), one of which is used as an auction room. Also nearby is Westbrook Farm cottage, and the whole ensemble serves a reminder of Crayford's rural past. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
This is the tranquil scene from the other side of Maiden Lane road bridge. The Cray flows past the rear gardens in Barnes Cray Road, once the site of a large mansion used as a hospital during WW2. There is no pedestrian access to the river along this short stretch, much to the delight of householders in the area. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
The mile or so stretch between Barnes Cray Road and Crayford town centre flows through a densely wooded area making photography practically impossible in places. 'Barnes Cray Garden Village' (built by Vickers between 1916 & 1921) lays to the north with Crayford Way running parallel to the river. To the south is an industrial estate, gradually taking shape on land formerly owned by Vickers' and Baker's, the latter of whom were successors to Swaisland's fabric printing company. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Further along, one can see the defence wall erected by Vickers' in 1918 after the premises were flooded (eventually to a depth of three feet) following three days continuous downpour. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Two views taken close to Crayford town centre. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
The Crayford Way entrance to the Cray walkway, marked by a wooden obelisk. The mock-Tudor building nearest the camera is Crayford Social Club, and the shops form The Parade which overlooks Waterside Gardens. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
The River Cray at the hub of Crayford town centre. The area was largely built up during the 1930s, with the addition of shopping parades either side of the river. Close by was The Princesses Theatre (built by Vickers' for its local workforce), but demolished in 1957 to make way for flats above new shopping units. The theatre is seen here in a 1955 postcard view during its final years as a cinema. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
On leaving Crayford town centre, access to The Cray is limited until one reaches Hall Place in Bexley. However, brief glimpses are possible from Bourne Road which runs adjacent to the river, and I'll insert one or two views here when they become available. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Hall Place, built for Sir John Champneys in 1540. The original white stone building was constructed using stone from monastries which had been disolved by Henry VIII. The red brick section nearest to the camera is a later extension, built around 1649. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
The Cray at Hall Place. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
The peace and tranquility of Hall Place are shattered when one reaches the A2 road bridge. However, the keen observer will notice that two rivers meet under the bridge; The Cray which flows straight ahead towards Bexley village, and the River Shuttle (or Bourne Stream) which flows right towards Bridgen and Upton. The course of the Shuttle was altered slightly to meet here around 1968 when the A2 was widened and 'upgraded' to motorway specification. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Two views of the River Shuttle, the first of which was taken close to Riverdale Road in South Upton. The second was taken in Bexley Park Woods, Bridgen. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
At Bexley village, the Cray passes under the Old Mill, an exact replica constructed in the early '70s of an eighteenth century building destroyed by fire in 1966. Until recently, it was a restaurant/bar, but has now been converted into living accomodation. It is seen here approximately four months prior to conversion. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
A view taken from the rear of the Old Mill, Bexley. A glass panel in the mill floor enabled you to watch the Cray as it flowed underneath. I expect this feature has now been lost to the conversion into flats. |
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Steve Thoroughgood says:
Looking back towards Hall Place, this view shows the much stressed 1872 road bridge over the Cray. |
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fixedwheelnut says:
Great set of photos Steve, I can remember playing on the River Shuttle as a kid and many times the Cray would flood Bexley village. |
