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New London was an incorporated town in what is now Campbell County, Virginia. After the formation of Bedford County, Virginia in 1753, New London was established as the county seat. The community became an important stopping point for settlers going west beyond the Proclamation Line of 1763 and was also the site of the John Hook trial that Patrick Henry was involved in. During the American Revolution, the town contained a colonial arsenal that supplied the Continental Army. After 1781, New London lost its place as the Bedford county seat when the county was divided, and New London was merged into the newly formed Campbell County. At this point in time, the circuit court was no longer functioning in New London as the county seat was moved to Rustburg, Virginia. The town declined following the rise of Lynchburg  and the exodus of several merchants who sided with the British government in the American Revolution.

After a brief resurgence due to the alum spring present in the area, the community changed its name to Bedford Springs but faded into obscurity. The original site of the community sits eleven miles to the southwest of downtown Lynchburg, Virginia. Most of the original colonial buildings have since disappeared from the site, with Mead's Tavern being the only colonial structure from the original community of New London that is still standing. Other historic structures that still stand are the Bedford Alum Springs Hotel, a doctor's office, a Methodist church, a general store, and an African American church. The New London Academy (Virginia) is also still in operation.

In 2015, Liberty University acquired Mead's Tavern from the Friends of New London, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to preserving historic New London, and has commissioned Hurt & Proffitt, Inc. to conduct archaeological investigations of the property.