Page "Penge" Paragraph 21

The Crooked Billet is by far the oldest and arguably the most famous public house in Penge.

Peter Abbott states that it was there in 1601 and speculates that it might be much more ancient.

In modern times it is particularly well known for lending its name as a bus route terminus.

From 1914 General Omnibus routes 109 and 609 both operated between Bromley Market and the Crooked Billet following different routes.

The 109 was renumbered 227 by London Transport and continued to terminate at the Crooked Billet.

( Route 609 was shortened terminating in Beckenham ).

Around 1950 some services were extended past the Crooked Billet to the Crystal Palace.

Eventually nearly all buses traveled the extended route.

The 354 buses now use the terminus, as do so short running buses on route 194 which carry the destination ' Penge High Street '.