Getting to know Orpington

Community News Getting to know

Orpington

The brewery that put Green St Green on the map

Oak Brewery of Fox & Sons opened in 1836 in Green Street Green. At that time Green Street Green was a quiet hamlet near the old London to Hastings road in the parish of Chelsfield. John Fox moved into Green Street Green with his family to run Oak Farm in 1818.

In those days, most farmers in Kent, living near to widely available hops, would brew their own beer. John Fox was no different – John grew his own hops and grain to produce ale for family use, selling the excess to the Lubbock family. Encouraged by Sir John Lubbock, John Fox started brewing commercially and by 1836, Oak Brewery produced ale. This would lead to initial commercial success and Fox & Sons supplying 29 public houses including nearly all in the Orpington district.

The Fox family contributed hugely to the development of Green Street Green and the welfare of its residents, many of whom were employees. This included development of housing, shops, a school and other community establishments. Many of the roads that lead off from Green St Green High St were developed because of demand for housing for the brewery.

Financial issues plagued the company and in 1909 the brewery closed. The brewery rights were bought by Truman, Hanfield, Buxton & Co. The main buildings were used during the First World War as a barrack but were eventually sold and demolished. Telcon Plastics built a factory on the site and then that was eventually demolished, and houses built. Oak Farm keeps its name and is the site of the Metrobus bus depot.

A pleasant housing estate now exists on the land – Superior Drive (Image 3)

The Green St Green Village sign is dominated by the former existence of the Brewery. The Brewery, an Oak and a Fox.

Fox and Son early local advert

Did you know?

John Fox and his family are buried in St Giles Churchyard, Farnborough

Fox and Son Brewery 1916

Green St Green Sign 2002 Superior Drive Green St Green

Fox Brewery after closure in 1916

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