Hayes: Old-world charm in zone five

While often confused with the identically named area in Hillingdon, the Hayes we are looking at today is situated in Bromley. While it has definitely been absorbed into Greater London, it retains a great deal of its old village charm, making it a great choice for commuters.

Location and transport

A big selling point for Hayes is its excellent train link to Central London. Hayes railway station is the terminus for regular services to Charing Cross and Cannon Street on the Hayes line. The area is also served by seven bus routes, and is in travel zone five.

Tram services run through Hayes, terminating at Croydon, Beckenham and Wimbledon.

Since 2014, Transport for London has also been considering extending the Bakerloo line to Hayes, where it would replace the national rail station, although this plan is still under consultation.

As it lies slightly to the south of Bromley itself, travellers can also take advantage of the rail connection to Victoria and Blackfriars.

History

Hayes has a long and intriguing history, dating back to the first record of its existence in 1177. The village has quietly grown ever since, and parts of the local church of St Mary the Virgin date from the 13th century, although the building was heavily restored in the 19th century.

However, Hayes has been playing host to famous faces long before it became the birthplace of prime minister William Pitt the Younger in the 18th century. It is believed that Roman invader Julius Caesar camped on the site of the Holwood Estate during his first attempt at conquering Britain in 55 BC.

Centuries later, William Wilberforce is said to have planned the abolition of slavery while sitting beneath one of the estate’s oak trees, which has been named Wilberforce Oak in his honour.

Like many areas in Greater London, Hayes remained a village until the arrival of the railway, when it became a desirable neighbourhood for bankers and other middle-class city workers.

Amenities

Hayes is home to a small parade-style high street, where you can find a variety of chain-store staples, independent shops and cafes.

The area’s schools are good, although demand is always high. Hayes Primary School is rated good by Ofsted, and for older children, Hayes School has been declared outstanding and is renowned for its excellent sports.

The selective state schools Newstead Wood School for girls and St Olave’s School for boys are also nearby in Orpington, and both have impressive academic track records.

Parents of autistic children will be pleased to know that there is a highly specialist school, Baston, that caters for this condition.

Thanks to its relatively rural location, there are a number of parks and green spaces in Hayes. This is unsurprising, since its name derives from the Old English word for heath or common. Lovers of the great outdoors can choose between Hayes, West Wickham and Keston Commons, as well as Keston Ponds.

Hayes is also home to two amateur choirs of a high standard: the Allegri choir and the Hayes Philharmonic Choir, both of which accept men and women.

Housing

Many of the homes in the area date from the 1920s and 30s, with a preponderance of red brick detached and semi-detached houses. In the conservation area known as Old Hayes, the houses are older and very picturesque, and as such are highly coveted.

If you are concerned about costs, you will be pleased to know that Hayes is a good area for low house prices, and even lower rents.

In short, Hayes is an affordable area that offers great value for money, both in terms of the cost of living and the local services and transport links available. Regardless of your stage in life, there really is something for everyone, and it’s a great area to consider when planning your next move.

Published 27th March, 2015

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