Medhursts Department Store, Bromley
Blyth Wood, home of Richard Dyas
This week we feature another short lived big house, Blyth Wood which was in Blyth Road, Bromley. It was built around 1890 by Robert Dyas, founder of the eponymous chain of hardware shops, one of which opened in Bromley in the last few years. Dyas was born in County West Meath in Ireland in 1847 but was in London by the 1870s opening his first shop in 1872. Dyas arrived in Bromley in 1883, living at The Elms, later 15, Blyth Road moving across the road to Avoca, later 1, Blyth Road in 1886. It is likely he was responsible for this being built as he had an interest in stained glass and Avoca has plenty. Sadly it is currently under threat of demolition. As his fortune grew Dyas was able to have Blyth Wood built high up above Blyth Road and the Ravensbourne Valley with views across to the Crystal Palace ridge. It was on the corner of Beckenham Lane. Dyas lived here for over 20 years until his death in Nov 1911 having caught pneumonia while playing golf on the Kent coast a few days ea...
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