Petts Wood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petts Wood |
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 Petts Wood
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| Population | 13,651 (2011 Census. Petts Wood and Knoll Ward) |
| OS grid reference | TQ445675 |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ORPINGTON |
| Postcode district | BR5 |
| Dialling code | 01689 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly |
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Petts Wood is a town in south-east London, England. It used to be part of the historic county of Kent. This area is located south of Chislehurst and west of St Paul's Cray. It's also north of Orpington and east of Southborough. Petts Wood is now part of the London Borough of Bromley in Greater London.
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Discovering Petts Wood's Past
The name "Petts Wood" first appeared in 1577. It was named after the Pett family, who were famous shipbuilders. They rented the wood to get timber for building ships. There's even a pub called The Sovereign of the Seas, named after a ship designed by Phineas Pett!
How Petts Wood Grew
Until the late 1800s, Petts Wood was mostly countryside. In 1872, there was only one house there. Most of the Petts Wood you see today was built in the late 1920s. A developer named Basil Scruby and architect Leonard Culliford planned the roads. Many builders helped, including Noel Rees, Walter Reed, and George Hoad.
Scruby even paid the Southern Railway Company £6,000 to build Petts Wood railway station. This station helped people get to the new homes. Shops and a cinema were also built near the railway.
Petts Wood During World War II
During the Second World War, the area between Petts Wood and Bickley was heavily bombed. This was because it was close to an important railway junction. Three bombs even landed in the town centre.
The Jubilee Country Park is northwest of the main shops. Before it became a park in 1977, this area was known as 'The Gun Sites'. It was where anti-aircraft guns were placed during the war.
Petts Wood in the 1950s
In the 1950s, Petts Wood was popular with newspaper staff from Fleet Street. This was because of the all-night train service. It meant reporters and editors could get home easily after working late.
In 2009, the local Woolworths store made news. Its manager realized his store was the very last one to close. He auctioned off the last bag of pick and mix sweets for £14,500!
Exploring Petts Wood's Nature
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The actual wood that gave Petts Wood its name is still here! The National Trust takes care of it. In 1927, 88 acres (36 hectares) were bought by people who wanted to protect the area from being built on.
Later, in 1957, the nearby Hawkwood Estate and Edlmann Wood were also given to the Trust. This added another 250 acres (100 hectares)! The woodland has many types of trees, like oak, birch, rowan, alder, ash, hornbeam, and sweet chestnut.
Getting Around Petts Wood
Train Services
Petts Wood station offers National Rail train services. You can travel to London Victoria and Kentish Town via Bromley South. Trains also go to London Charing Cross and London Cannon Street via Grove Park. You can also reach Orpington and Sevenoaks.
Bus Routes
Petts Wood is served by London Buses routes 208, 273, N199, R3, and R7. These buses connect Petts Wood to areas like Bromley, Catford, Chislehurst, Grove Park, Lewisham, and Orpington.
Famous People from Petts Wood
Many interesting people have lived in or grown up in Petts Wood:
- Cerrie Burnell (born 1979) – An actress, singer, and TV presenter.
- Jack Dee (born 1961) – A well-known comedian.
- Charles De Gaulle (1890–1970) – A French general and future President of France. He led the Free French Forces during World War II and lived here for a short time.
- Sir Geraint Evans (1922–1992) – A famous Welsh opera singer.
- Pat Keysell (1926–2009) – A TV presenter and sign language interpreter.
- Pixie Lott (born 1991) – A popular singer and songwriter.
- Ian Mortimer (born 1967) – A historian who studies the Middle Ages.
- David Nobbs (1935–2015) – A comedy writer, known for The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin.
- Major Phil Packer (born 1972) – A British soldier who raised a lot of money for charity after being injured.
- William Willett (1856–1915) – He came up with the idea of Daylight Saving Time while riding in Petts Wood. There's a sundial in the wood and a pub called The Daylight Inn named after him.
Petts Wood in Movies
Birchwood Road and Kingsway in Petts Wood were used as filming locations. They appeared in the 1978 movie, Give Us Tomorrow, which starred Sylvia Syms.
Sports and Fun in Petts Wood
Petts Wood has many places for sports and recreation:
- Petts Wood Football Club
- Petts Wood Recreation Ground
- Willett Recreation Ground
- Petts Wood Runners (a running club)
- Petts Wood Bowling Club
- Petts Wood Snooker Club (located above Morrisons)
- Orpington Ojays Swimming Club
- Oakley Fitness Above (Orpington & District Amateur Boxing Club)
- Orpington & District Amateur Boxing Club
