03: HG Wells Birthplace (Primark) - Bromley North Village heritage trail
Description
A stop on the Bromley North Village heritage trail
Location
47 High Street
History
With the building of a new section of road called the New Cut in 1832, a sharp bend in the High Street was removed. The buildings constructed following this work included No. 47 which became the china, glass and pottery emporium of Joseph Wells. Here on 21 September 1866 Herbert George Wells was born. He spent much of his early childhood in the town until he was apprenticed to a draper and left the area. No. 47 became part of Medhursts in 1879 when Fred Medhurst bought several adjacent properties. The Primark store still has the name Medhurst on the building which stands today, and a plaque to commemorate the birthplace of H G Wells is displayed on the front of the shop.
Did you know?
The name Medhurst remains on the building, along with a plaque to commemorate H G Wells birthplace.
