Bexley is an area of south-eastern Greater London, part of the London Borough of Bexley and sometimes called Bexley Village or Old Bexley to distinguish it from the wider borough. It sits south of Bexleyheath and east-southeast of Charing Cross, with the River Cray running through the north of the area past Hall Place.
For a visitor, Bexley works as a base in and around the village centre, with the railway station providing services to London Charing Cross via Sidcup and to Gravesend, and Transport for London buses connecting the area with Bexleyheath, Bromley, Crayford, Dartford, Sidcup, Welling, Abbey Wood, Erith, Eltham, Thamesmead, Chislehurst and North Greenwich. This guide covers which areas to consider basing yourself in, and what each is like for different kinds of traveller.
Best areas to stay in Bexley
1. Bexley Village (Old Bexley)
This is the historic core of Bexley, centred on the area around St. Mary the Virgin Church, whose unusual spire is the village's main landmark. Staying here puts you within the village itself, close to the church, the United Reformed Church on Hurst Road and the Strict Baptist Chapel on Bourne Road, and within reach of the Bourne Road out towards Crayford.
It suits first-time visitors who want to be in the named village rather than the wider borough, and anyone relying on public transport, since Bexley railway station serves the area with services to London Charing Cross via Sidcup and to Gravesend, and local buses link the village to the surrounding towns.
2. Bourne Road and the Hall Place area
The Bourne Road runs out of Bexley towards Crayford, and Hall Place, a former stately home beside the River Cray, lies to the north of Bexley at the foot of Gravel Hill, the road up onto Bexleyheath. The house and grounds are owned by the London Borough of Bexley and open to the public, with gardens that include a topiary display of traditional heraldic figures.
This area suits visitors whose main interest is Hall Place and the riverside walking routes: the Shuttle River Way, the Cray River Way and the London LOOP all pass Hall Place. The Old Dartfordians' War Memorial clubhouse is also on Bourne Road, home to the Dartfordians' Rugby Club and Cricket Club.
3. Bexleyheath
Bexleyheath lies immediately north of Bexley, reached from the village by way of Gravel Hill. It is a separate town in its own right within the wider borough, and buses connect it directly with Bexley.
It suits visitors who want to be close to Bexley but based in a larger town with its own connections, and it is a practical choice if your plans centre on the northern side of the area rather than the village itself.
4. Welling and the Danson Park area
Welling, to the west, is where you find Danson House and the surrounding Danson Park, described as two of the main popular attractions in the London Borough of Bexley. Buses link Welling with Bexley.
This area suits visitors who want to spend time in Danson Park and its grounds, and who are happy to base themselves slightly away from Bexley village and travel in by bus.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: expect modest, inexpensive chain-style accommodation, of the kind the wider south London area offers through budget hotel brands.
- Mid-range: expect comfortable chain hotels and smaller independent places, including long-established hotels that have been taken over by larger groups.
- Splurge: expect elegant older properties and luxury hotels, some in converted or historic buildings, in the wider south London area.
Best area for a first visit
Bexley Village is the best base for a first visit, because it is the area actually named Bexley, with the church of St. Mary as its landmark and the railway station providing direct services to London Charing Cross via Sidcup and to Gravesend. From the village you can reach Hall Place and the riverside walking routes to the north, and Bexleyheath up Gravel Hill, while buses connect you to the surrounding towns.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to and from Bexley?
Bexley railway station serves the area with services to London Charing Cross via Sidcup and to Gravesend. Several Transport for London bus services connect Bexley with Abbey Wood, Bexleyheath, Bromley, Crayford, Chislehurst, Dartford, Eltham, Erith, North Greenwich, Sidcup, Thamesmead and Welling.
Which areas are close to the main sights?
Hall Place lies to the north of Bexley on the Bourne Road out towards Crayford, at the foot of Gravel Hill. Danson House and Danson Park are in Welling, and Bexleyheath is directly north of Bexley up Gravel Hill.
Where can I walk from Bexley?
Three walking routes pass Hall Place: the council-sponsored Shuttle River Way and Cray River Way, and the Mayor of London's London LOOP, which after its start at Erith follows the Cray River Way from Crayford to Foots Cray.
Is Bexley the same as the London Borough of Bexley?
No. Bexley is an area within the London Borough of Bexley, and is sometimes called Bexley Village or Old Bexley to distinguish it from the wider borough.
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