Crayford, mentioned in the Domesday Book, was originally a historic county of Kent until 1965.

Crayford Manor House dates back to the 16th century and is a Grade II listed building, while St. Pailus church dates back to the 12th century with architectural elements altered over the centuries reflecting styles of those times.

Crayford experienced significant residential expansion during the mid-20th century, particularly after World War II. Large-scale housing developments were built to accommodate the growing population, leading to the construction of post-war housing estates consisting of semi-detached and terraced houses. This expansion transformed Crayford from a rural area into a suburban community.

While Crayford's architectural landscape is now primarily characterized by these post-war housing developments and industrial estates, the historical buildings mentioned above, along with local architectural contributions, reflect the town's evolution from a rural settlement to a suburban community within the context of Kent's broader architectural heritage.