Rare Opportunity to Own Five Centuries of History
High Street House in Bexley Village has been home to one of Kent's greatest historians, a Roman archaeology discovery and the same family for over 50 years. Now it's ready to begin its next chapter.
Some houses have a history. This one has five centuries of it.
High Street House in Bexley Village, Kent, can be traced back to at least 1513 – long before the building you see today existed. Over the centuries it passed through the Lamienby, Goldwell and Austen families before being purchased by the man who would leave a lasting mark on it – antiquary and historian, John Thorpe.
Today, for the first time in over 50 years, it's ready to begin its next chapter. Come discover the 500-year-old home with Robin at our Bexley office.
The Man Behind the Blue Plaque
In 1750, John Thorpe – one of the most respected historians of Kent's past – bought the property and substantially rebuilt it in 1761. The elegant Georgian frontage that stands today is his: brown brick, a central doorway framed by columns, a curved window above the door and original wrought-iron railings.
Thorpe's time at this address had consequences that nobody could have anticipated. Notes he made while living here, recording a Roman mosaic he had spotted in nearby Lullingstone Park, sat largely unnoticed for nearly two centuries. But in 1949, archaeologists followed that lead and uncovered Lullingstone Roman Villa, one of the most significant Roman discoveries ever made in England. The blue plaque honours his legacy and takes pride of place on the house today.
Inside High Street House
Step through the front door and the sense of history continues. The entrance hall rises a full two storeys, with the original staircase still in place and floorboards that have carried footsteps for generations.
Downstairs, the main reception room opens directly onto the garden, while a substantial cellar with exposed beams hints at just how much building lies beneath what you see from the street. In total, the house offers close to 4,000 sq ft of space – room enough for the next family to make their own mark.
Outside, mature gardens surround the house, with two pedestrian gates and two gated vehicle entrances, giving the kind of privacy and practicality rarely found this close to the centre of Bexley Village.
Fifty Years of Family
High Street House has been in the same family since 1972, when the Grays bought the property after it had stood empty and neglected for years. James Gray, was just eleven when he moved in and the house quickly became the backdrop to a full family life.
Selling on behalf of the family, he reflects: "Growing up here, history felt completely normal. My parents took on a project that needed a lot of love and gave it exactly that. We hosted gatherings, even weddings with marquees on the lawns, and it shaped a life that we're incredibly proud of. It's only when you step back that you realise quite how extraordinary this house is. Now, as I clear out decades of memories, it’s easy to fall in love with it all over again."
The Next Chapter
For sale for the first time in over 50 years, at £1,200,000. The house is just 0.7 miles from Hall Place, Bexley’s Grade I listed Tudor mansion and a short walk from Bexley train station, with direct trains to London Bridge in just over 20 minutes.
Grade II listed and sitting within the Old Bexley Conservation Area, High Street House offers generous living space across five bedrooms, four reception rooms and one bathroom, with established gardens beyond. The main rooms are notably spacious, with high ceilings and original period features that reflect everything the house has been through across the centuries. It is ready for restoration – an extraordinary opportunity for the next owner to put their own stamp on one of Bexley's most remarkable homes.
Kevin Wooder, Owner Partner at Robinson Jackson Bexley Village, says: "High Street House is one of those rare properties where the history isn't just a detail, it's the whole story. We're privileged to be bringing it to the market and finding the right person to carry the legacy forward."
To find out more, speak to the team at Robinson Jackson Bexley Village on 01322 559900 or click here to view online.
All News ≫
