Lewisham (/ˈluːɪʃəm/) is an area of southeast London, England, 5.9 miles (9.5 km) south of Charing Cross. It is the principal area of the London Borough of Lewisham, and was within the historic county of Kent until 1889. It is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London, with a large shopping centre and street market. Lewisham was a small village until the development of passenger railways in the 19th century. Lewisham had a population of 60,573 in 2011.