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The Old London Map Company are pleased to offer this fine art reproduction sympathetically enhanced and digitalised from the original to a standard equalling museum quality. This map was originally published by Edward Stanford in 1872. Like the other sheets in the series, it originally formed part of a 24-sheet large-scale map depicting London and its surroundings during the late Victorian era. Now produced in individual editions so you can enjoy a finished piece featuring the particular area of interest within Victorian London.
Overview
Sheet 24 depicts the semi-rural landscape of south-east London around Lower Sydenham, Southend, and the outskirts of Bromley. In the early 1870s, the area was still largely agricultural with scattered hamlets, woodlands, and farms, though railway development was starting to spur suburban growth.
Cartographic Details
- Engraved line work with delicate hand colouring typical of Stanford’s high-quality cartography.
• Rivers, streams, and woodland areas such as Beckenham Place Park are clearly shaded.
• Railways, including the West End & Crystal Palace Railway and the Mid-Kent Line, are prominently shown, reflecting the era’s transport expansion.
Administrative and Postal Features
- The sheet primarily falls within the South Eastern (SE) postal district of mid-19th-century London.
• Red boundary lines denote parish and district borders prior to the formation of modern London boroughs.
Original Size
The complete Stanford’s Library Map measured about 9 × 12 feet (approximately 2.7 × 3.7 m) when all 24 sheets were assembled. Each individual sheet, including Sheet 1, was printed on paper roughly 18 × 24 inches (about 46 × 61 cm) which we supply as our Medium size but due to the quality of our scanning process we are also able to offer a larger edition at 24 x 29 inches (about 61 × 73.5 cm) printed on conservation grade paper.
Modern Postcode Coverage
Today, this area roughly corresponds to the following modern Royal Mail postcode districts:
• SE26 – Sydenham
• SE6 – Catford (north-west edge)
• BR1 – Bromley
• BR3 – Beckenham
• SE20 – Anerley (western edge)
Twenty Major Places Shown on the Map
Notable locations visible include:
1. Lower Sydenham
2. Southend Village (now Southend, Lewisham)
3. Beckenham Place Park
4. Beckenham Village
5. River Ravensbourne
6. St Michael & All Angels Church, Sydenham
7. Sydenham Station (early railway stop)
8. Southend Station (later Bellingham area)
9. St George’s Church, Beckenham
10. Cator Park area
11. Kent House Farm
12. Beckenham Lane
13. Perry Hill Farm
14. Beckenham Place Mansion
15. Foxgrove Farm
16. Bromley Road district
17. Bell Green
18. New Beckenham (railway station site)
19. Catford Bridge (north-west fringe)
20. Copers Cope Farm
Twenty Major Roads and Thoroughfares Shown
Prominent streets and routes include:
1. Southend Lane
2. Beckenham Hill Road
3. Bromley Road
4. Perry Hill
5. Sydenham Road
6. Beckenham Road
7. Southend Road
8. Kent House Road
9. Foxgrove Road
10. Worsley Bridge Road
11. Albemarle Road
12. Beckenham High Street
13. Copers Cope Road
14. Silver Lane
15. Bell Green Lane
16. Bellingham Road
17. Highland Croft (farm tracks shown)
18. Ravensbourne Avenue (later named)
19. Bromley Hill (southern approach)
20. Kelsey Park Road
In summary, Sheet 24 captures the pastoral south-eastern fringes of Victorian London, highlighting a landscape of farms, woodlands, and early railways poised for suburban transformation.
