insideKENT Magazine Issue 24 - March 2014 | Page 98

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
Bromley Baptist Church

S P O T L I G H T

O N

T H E

BROMLEY BOROUGH
FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF BROMLEY TOWN CENTRE, TO THE STUNNING RURAL DISTRICTS WITHIN ITS
BOROUGH'S BOUNDARIES, IT'S SOMETIMES EASY TO FORGET THAT CENTRAL LONDON IS JUST 12 MILES AWAY.
IN ADDITION TO ITS PRIZED WEST KENT POSITIONING, BROMLEY ALSO REMAINS THE LARGEST BOROUGH IN
SOUTH EAST LONDON, AND HAS OVERTLY BEEN REFERRED TO AS A MAJOR METROPOLITAN CENTRE, WITH
MUCH TO OFFER TO BOTH ITS VISITORS AND RESIDENTS.
HISTORY IN BRIEF
Historically a market town, the Bromley district
was first recorded in the charter of 862 after an
Anglo-Saxon settlement developed around the
location that today, is occupied by the market
square. Its original namesake and the handle
from which 'Bromley' was derived was said to
be Brom-leag, a Saxon word that signifies a
'woodland clearing where brooms grow'.
What most people don't know is that
Bromley has bygone connections with Rochester
after the King of Kent, Ethelbert, granted the land
on which to build it to the bishops of Rochester
in the eighth century. It was therefore governed
under the bishops' power up until 1845, when a
wealthy local merchant purchased Bromley Palace
and took his place as Lord of the Manor.
A quiet rural town at this time, Bromley had
put itself on the map as an important coaching
stop on the way to Hastings and London.
However, key to its development was the opening
of Shortlands railway in 1858. From this point,
both the town and its surrounding areas began
to flourish and transition from an agriculture-led
village, to a commerce and retail driven town.
And conveniently close to London, residents
understandably flocked to enjoy a rural suburb
with promising urban connections.
In 1934, as part of a county review order,
the borough was expanded from the
disbanded Bromley Rural District, and eventually
reached its present form in 1964 following the
London Government Act of 1963.
Today, Bromley is one of the 32 London
boroughs that make up Greater London, with a
considerable number of both urban and rural
districts within its boundaries. These include:

Beckenham, West Wickham, Hayes,
Farnborough, Orpington, Chislehurst and St Mary
Cray, amongst others. Additional smaller suburban
areas include Anerley and nearby Crystal Palace,
while Biggin Hill, D owne and Keston remain
separate, smaller, rural settlements.

THINGS TO DO IN THE BOROUGH
Intu Bromley – If you enjoy a good ol' high street
shopping session, Intu Bromley shopping centre
in Bromley's town centre is a fantastic destination.
Built over two levels and boasting over 120 stores
and restaurants, this hot spot also includes Regent
Arcade, an area dedicated to boutiques and highend stores.

film set, and today, a lantern-lit family-friendly
tourist attraction with hourly tours.
Biggin Hill Airport – Once a central base for the
RAF during the Battle of Britain, Biggin Hill Airport
now provides specialist aviation, predominantly
for the business market. It is also used for
recreational users and operates a popular Flying
Training Centre for personal and professional
pilots.
Down House – The ideal attraction for those
interested in evolution, nearby Down House offers
a truly fascinating family day out. Once the home
of English naturalist Charles Darwin, visitors can
take a glimpse into the family rooms and extensive
gardens that so inspired the great scientist.

Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul –
A beautiful church close to the town centre,
Bromley's Church of St Peter and St Paul was
once largely destroyed by enemy action during
WWII, before being rebuilt in the 1950s. Today,
the medieval tower and much of the original stone
building remains, making this historical haunt well
worth a look.

Fancy a stroll and a spot of fresh air in one of
Bromley's green, well-maintained spaces? Opt
for the Queen's Gardens, Martin's Hill,
Church House Gardens, Library Gardens and
College Green.

Bromley Museum – Discover the borough's past
at the wonderful Bromley Museum, a free
attraction that celebrates the history of the town
via displays and a number of temporary exhibitions
and events throughout the year.

From Michelin starred eateries and gastro pub
cuisine, to trendy diners and coffee shops, the
Bromley borough offers a fantastic array of venues
when it comes to dining out.

Chislehurst Caves – A fabulous attraction, the
nearby Chislehurst Caves are a labyrinth of manmade tunnels that cover over six hectares.
Originally dug for chalk, the caves have since lent
their services as a means of ammunition storage
in WWI, an air-raid shelter in WWII, a music venue,

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DINING OUT

Chapter One – Fronted by executive head chef
Andy McLeish, Chapter One has firmly established
itself as one of the UK's top restaurants. Boasting
one Michelin star and four AA rosettes, this superb
eatery offers impressive modern European cuisine,
with a focus on local, seasonal produce.