Welcome to Lewisham

The London Borough of Lewisham is located south of the River Thames and to the south-east of the city. It comprises the areas Bell Green, Bellingham, Blackheath, Brockley, Catford, Crofton Park, Deptford, Downham, Forest Hill, Grove Park, Hither Green, Honor Oak, Ladywell, Lee, Lewisham, Lower Sydenham, New Cross, New Cross Gate, St John's, Southend, Sydenham, Upper Sydenham.

The Borough covers an area of approximately 35.15 sq.km.

Blackheath, the main centre of the borough of Lewisham, is also the starting point of the London Marathon, and is popular for kite flying, kite boarding and kitebuggying. There are also some excellent restaurants and shops. Major landmarks include All Saints Church in Blackheath, and the Citibank Tower in Lewisham.

Lewisham's history dates from the 5th century; it was an important settlement in the 6th century. By the mid 15th century the village had a grammar and primary school. The name Blackheath is derived from the colour of the soil; it was settled by the Romans as a stopping point on Watling Street. It has been the site of several rebellions, including Wat Tyler's Peasant's Revolt in 1381, Jack Cade's Kentish rebellion in 1450, and the Battle of Deptford Bridge in 1497. During the 17th century it was also a notorious haunt of highwaymen. Deptford, standing at the point where the London - Dover road crosses the River Ravensbourne, was the site of Henry VIII's dockyard, built in 1513 and in operation until 1869. Ladywell dates back to at least the 15th century and is shown on maps of the time when there was a deep well dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Ther service industry is the largest sector of the local economy, employing around 78% of all workers.

The name Lewisham comes from the Old English person's name 'Leofsa' and 'ham', meaning 'homestead or village of a man called Leofsa'. In 1086 it was recorded as Levesham.

The motto of the borough is "Salus Populi Suprema Lex" which approximates to "The Welfare of the People is the Highest Law".