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There are two accepted theories regarding the origin of the first part of the name Brockley. It either comes from the Old English word “broca” which means badger or from brook as in stream. The last part “ley” means wood. This SE4 area was originally an agricultural hamlet. Stone House is a South East London landmark. It is one of the oldest local buildings. This Grade II listed 18th-century house was built by George Gibson the younger. The building features leaves and florets ornaments, just like St Mary’s church that was also designed by George Gibson. The land on which the house stands was originally known as “halfpenny’s field” and Morrice’s land. Nineteen-century maps recorded Stone House as the Comical House.
Brockley Jack was one of the most photographed pubs in the SE4 area. The signboard was written on a whale’s shoulder blade and mounted on a tree stump. In the 18th century, the pub was known as The Crooked Billet. Legend has it that it was a hiding place for highwaymen. In the 19th century, the pub’s name was The Castle. The pub was rebuilt in 1898. The whale shoulder blade that served as a sign back in the day is kept above the fireplace. The pub shares the building with the Brockley Jack Theater established in 1992. The market gardens were another local landmark. Fruit trees and the famous Victoria rhubarb grew here. The local railway station opened in 1871.
English singer Kate Bush lived in Brockley. Givenchy’s and Christian Dior’s head designer, John Galliano, lived here when he was a child. The author of King Kong, Edgar Wallace, lived for 32 years in the area. Singer Mica Paris, the mistress of King Edward VII actress Lily Langtry, actor Bernard Hill, poet Kate Tempest, and footballers Bradley and Shaun Wright-Phillips are other notable residents.