Did you know that...
Hartley was called Erclei in the 11th century. The name means “location in the forest where the deer gather”. The Domesday Book recording mentions 15 families and three slaves. The last battle of Wyatt’s Rebellion in 1554 took place at Hartley Wood. In the 19th century, there were 244 people living in this DA3 area which was known for its hop growing farms. In 1841, a National School was established here. Urban development was kick-started in 1872 by the opening of the Longfield railway station in the nearby village with the same name. Hartley transformed from an agricultural settlement into a commuter village.
Housing development started before World War I when property developers began to acquire land in this South East London area. Houses and bungalows were built. All Saints Church is a Hartley landmark. It was built in the 12th century and it is now a Grade I listed building. It is believed that the church was built on the remains of an Anglo-Saxon building. St Francis de Sales is another notable building. The church is a 17th-century barn with timber framing. The United Reformed Church in Hartley was established in 1936. It has since closed and housing was developed on its site.
The local cricket team is based at the Hartley Country Club. The team won the Kent Cricket League several times. The country club is also home to a Pétanque team. Hartley belonged to the ancient hundred of Axstane. It is now part of the Sevenoaks district in the county of Kent. This area does not have a railway station. Residents use the nearby station at Longfield. There are several Arriva Kent buses that connect the area to Dartford and New Ash Green. Beacon Wood Country Park, Farningham Wood, and Swanscombe Heritage Park are some of the nearby attractions.