Road history

Old Kent Road was the main entryway into London from the south until late in the 20th century and made famous by the music hall song Knocked ’em in Old Kent Road, which portrayed working-class London life. The Grand Surrey Canal was filled in to make way for it; Manfred Mann opened his first recording studio there at 488-490 Old Kent Road; Kings Arms pub closed and later demolished; while North Peckham Civic Centre boasts a mural depicting Old Kent Road history.

White painted road markings we use today to identify lanes were first utilized on the Old Kent Road in 1914.