The name is recorded in 1320 as Elmsted and means 'place where elm trees grow'.

After the local railway station opened it took the name Elmstead Woods.

Elmstead Pit, opposite the railway station, is a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest which has important fossils from the Eocene epoch 50 million years ago.

Elmstead Woods railway station serves the area with Southeastern services to London Charing Cross and London Cannon Street via Lewisham as well as to Orpington and Sevenoaks.

Elmstead is served by one Transport for London bus service.