Public library

This elegant house, once a rectory, is now Hayes Public Library. Unfortunately it was closed when I visited as it's only open on a part time basis. I would have lived to ee inside this building.

The house was built in 1757 and bought by the Council in 1937 when it began to be converted into a library. During WW2 it was used for various functions and the library was eventually opened in 1946. It is surrounded by a small park and I enjoyed a break sitting on a bench admiring the house and gardens. Such a pity it is underused.

To avoid confusion, this Hayes is a suburb of the London Borough of Bromley but was once a village in Kent and still retains much of the latter identity.