It is part of the ancient route from London to Dover and is named after the area of Blackheath – the name is said to originate from the 1340s after its use after as a mass burial ground for victims of the Black Death. It probably comes though from Old English words meaning dark soil.
Blackheath due to its being an area of open high ground outside the City of London was a place of strategic importance. For this reason, the Romans first built their London to Dover road, known as Watling Street across it. Blackheath Road is part of this.
During the Peasants’ Revolt, Wat Tyler’s 100 000 anti-poll tax rebels marched along the road here in 1381 on the way to London, where they were defeated.
Lime kilns – the burning of chalk to produce quicklime, an ancillary industry in the building trade for the production of both mortar and lime wash – were situated here. Roque’s 1746 map shows a cluster of buildings around the junction of the Dover Road on the road from Greenwich to Lewisham marked ‘Limekilns’. South Street was called Limekilns Lane – the lane to the limekilns – until the 1820s.
Crash in Blackheath Road (1960s). Credit: Adrian Spalding.
The Kentish Mercury moved to 7 Queen’s Place which was renumbered 12 Blackheath Road in 1878. By 1884 it had extended, reaching Deals Gateway corner. The Mercury’s printing works were established here.
E.G. Berryman & Sons Ltd (82-84 Blackheath Road) was one of the oldest businesses in the neighbourhood -Edward G. Berryman set up business in 1846 as a brass engraver and was joined by his two sons before 1891.
