Much of the built heritage of Swanley town' (limited as it was) and Hextable (which had and has more of interest) has been destroyed. The causes are diverse, including:
- enemy action during World War 2 took out individual buildings or so seriously damaged others they were demolished or adapted beyond recognition;
- commercial redevelopment resulted in the loss of a limited number of noted buildings;
- residential redevelopment of the vast areas of the horticultural industry's glasshouses; and,
- national policies on the NHS resulted in the 19th Century hospital buildings being lost (except Parkwood Hall School and smaller buildings at the other hospitals).
Swanley Village
However, the gem of the area is the centre of Swanley Village - with many fine historic and architectually interesting properties. The addition of the unusally enclosed village green (of recent years) is a delightful feature. The green is encircled by many out-facing buildings but is nevertheless a charming addition to already "perfick" place of "Kentish" land.
As a "conservation area" the buildings and trees of the village are protected from much that has happened elsewhere in the area. The beauty of this historic place is captured in the document linked below
http://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/documents/swanleyvillagespg_2.pdf
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