Belvedere, London

Belvedere  /ˈbɛlvədɪər/ is a suburban and largely working class area and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bexley in Southeast London. The area which is today known as Belvedere was originally part of Lesness Heath, which originally stretched from the area of Lesnes Abbey to Erith and constituted the estate of Sir Culling Eardley. Eardley constructed a large wooden tower (see Belvedere (structure)) on the heath to gain views over his estate to the river Thames, giving the area its name. Eardley was persuaded to allow the construction on his property, of a dissenter's chapel, which was built so that the original wooden belvedere became its tower. In order that the public were able to attend this chapel, he constructed paths to it...