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Foots Cray is sometimes spelled Footscray. The name derives from Godwin Fot which was a Saxon landowner and the River Cray that flows through this area which is part of the historic county of Kent. The settlement was traditionally an arable farming community. But due to the proximity of River Cray, some industrial activity began in Foots Cray in the 20th century. This South East London area is still a relatively small settlement. From 1902 until 1921, the Foots Cray Urban District included this zone and nearby Sidcup. Since 1965, both areas are part of the Bexley borough.
Foots Cray Palace is one of the local landmarks. It is one of the four English country houses that borrow the design of Palladio’s Villa Capra in Italy. It was built in 1754 and demolished in 1950 after it had been damaged by fire the year before. Starting with 1939, the building housed Thames Nautical Training College. The manor grounds now form Foots Cray Meadows. This Grade II listed historic park is a local nature reserve. The London LOOP footpath passes through the park. The stable block and the walled garden were redeveloped into a luxury house. The Footscray district of Melbourne, Australia was named after this area.
All Saints Church was built in the 14th century. The churchyard is home to an unusual iron stone grave slab. It marked the burial place of Martin Manning ‘Yeoman’ (1656). In 1996, the contractors that were cleaning the void found a Daily Express newspaper just above the nave. It was dated 29 October 1957 and signed by seven workmen that were installing a gas-fired boiler in the church. There is no railway station in Foots Cray. The residents use the nearby Sidcup and St Mary Cray stations. Dasani bottled-water by Coca Cola was produced at The Coca-Cola Company plant in Foots Cray.