Until the early 19th century, Bexley Heath comprised an area of scrub-land with few buildings, although Bexley Heath windmill stood at the corner of what is today Erith Road and Mayplace Road. The heath bordered Watling Street. In 1766 Sir John Boyd had [[Danson House]] built in parkland (now [[Danson Park]] between Bexleyheath and [[Welling]]). In 1814 the land to the north of [[Bexley]] that would become Bexleyheath became subject to an [[Enclosure Act]]. In 1859 [[architect]] [[Philip Webb]] designed [[Red House (London)|Red House]] for the artist, reforming designer and [[socialist]] [[William Morris]] on the western edge of the heath, in the hamlet of Upton — before Upton became largely developed as a London suburb. The [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] acquired the house in 2003. Morris wanted to have a "Palace of Art" in which he and his friends could enjoy producing works of art. The house is of red brick with a steep tiled roof and an emphasis on natural materials. Red House is in a non-historical, brick-and-tile domestic style. It is now a Grade I listed building. Morris lived with his wife Jane in the house for five years, during which time their two daughters, Jenny and May, were born. Forced to sell the house for financial reasons during 1865, Morris vowed never to return to it - he said that to see the house again would be more than he could bear.