Locksbottom

Locksbottom
Locksbottom Location withinGreater London
OS grid reference	TQ435655
London borough	Bromley
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ORPINGTON
Postcode district	BR6
Dialling code	01689
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
UK Parliament	Orpington
London Assembly	Bexley and Bromley

Locksbottomis a suburb of south-eastLondonwithin theLondon Borough of Bromley,Greater London.Prior to 1965 it was within thehistoric countyofKent.It is located south ofBromley Common,west ofCrofton,north-west ofFarnborough,and east ofKeston.

History

The area is named after the Lock family, who owned land here in the 1700s.Aworkhousewas built here in March 1845, though by the 1920s it had been converted into an infirmary known as Farnborough Hospital.The interwar years saw suburban development and the area merged into Orpington in the east.In 2003 the hospital was redeveloped and renamedPrincess Royal University Hospitaland is now one of the major hospitals in this part of London.

Amenities

Locksbottom is centred on a parade of shops on the western end of Crofton Road, running from the junction with Farnborough Common to Tugmutton Common. To the west lies Keston Park and to the north Farnborough Park, both of which are exclusive gated communities.A large supermarket backs onto the Princess Royal Hospital. There are also three pubs in the area - the Black Horse, the British Queen, and Ye Olde Whyte Lion.The church is St. Michael's and all Angel's Roman Catholic Church, and was built between 1961 and 1964 byHenry Bingham Townerof loadbearing brickwork, laid in English bond, around a steel frame.

Transport

Rail

The nearestNational Railstation to Locksbottom isOrpington station,located 1.8 miles away.

Buses

Locksbottom is served byLondon Busesroutes 61, 261, 336, 353, 358, R2, R3 & R4. These connect it with areas includingBiggin Hill,Beckenham,Bromley,Catford,Chislehurst,Crystal Palace,Grove Park,Hayes,Lewisham,Orpington&Penge.

Gallery

• 
  Crofton Road, Locksbottom in 1948
• 
  Shops along the Crofton Road
• 
  The British Queen pub
• 
  Princess Royal University Hospital
• 
  Ye Olde Whyte Lyon pub
• 
  St Michael and All Saints Roman Catholic Church, built 1961-4 byHenry Bingham Townerand officially opened by ArchbishopCyril Cowderoy

In Film

The former 'Fantail Restaurant', with views over and into the village, showing the land where now Saint Michael's Church stands, heavily planted with trees, with unidentified spots along the A21 nearby, may be seen in the now re-released on DVD film,Calling All Cars (1954 film).