For a London suburb, Beckenham is surprisingly leafy, forming part of the South East London Green Chain. Originally a Kent village, it remained a rural farming area interspersed with large, gracious estates until the mid-nineteenth century, when the railway arrived bringing prosperity and a huge boost in population. Home to a number of estates that later became large parks, the area retains much of the gentile and rural charm of its past.

The area also plays host to a number of historic buildings, and is home to one of the oldest lychgates in England, dating back to the thirteenth century. Using a beautiful selection of old and new photographs, author David R. Johnson invites the reader to join him on a nostalgic and picturesque journey through time, telling the fascinating story of how Beckenham has grown into the vibrant community it is today.