Bromley Area Guide

Table of contents

• History of Bromely
• Getting Around
• Home and Market Trends
• Local Life in Bromley
• Open Spaces
• Arts and Recreation
• Arts and Recreation
• Gyms and Fitness Centres
• Attractions and Entertainment
• Shopping in Bromley
• Eating & Drinking in Bromley
• Nightlife in Bromley
• Crime and Security
• Fun Fact About Bromley
• Local Authority

Bromley is located in London’s South-East and covers 15,000 hectares. There are fewer people and structures in the North, but there is still a considerable amount of green space in the South, representing 60% of Bromley. The 22 people per hectare density of London’s least densely inhabited borough is an effect of it having few residents. Compared with the borough of Islington, in which there are almost 160 people packed into every acre, this represents the most crowded borough in the country.

Families are drawn to the park for the sake of its abundant green space, but it also is home to an abundance of well-rated primary schools. Connectivity with 23 train stations, three London overground stations, and five Tramlink stops aids the project’s ability to reach the entire city. Its median income is well above normal, and the borough’s employment rate is also above average.

History of Bromely

The storey of Bromley and Rochester’s seashore are intrinsically linked. Bromley Manor was founded in AD 862 when King Ethelbert of Kent provided land to build it. At 1185, Gilbert Glanville, Bishop of Rochester, built Bromley Palace in Bromley. The pilgrims who made the long journey to see St. Blaise’s Well travelled to the town to do so. Bromley Palace (now the core of the Bromley Civic Centre) was bought by Coles Child, a wealthy local merchant and philanthropist, in 1845, who subsequently became the lord of the manor. In Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice, the Royal Bell Hotel (immediately off Market Square) is mentioned. Until the introduction of the railway in 1858, the area was calm rural. Outlying suburban districts, such as Bickley, were constructed to suit residents who wanted to live in a more centralised location near London.

Getting Around

Bromley is located in southeastern London and borders Croydon, Lewisham, Greenwich, and Bexley.

South-eastern trains serve Bromley South Station, to London Victoria, Kentish Town, and London. Using the routes listed below, travel from London to Dover, Chatham, Canterbury East, and Canterbury West. Grove Park South-Eastern link is also accessible via Bromley North station, which connects the town with South-eastern shuttle services to London Charing Cross and London Cannon Street.

Two rail terminals serve Bromley: Just over 15 minutes by rail will get you from Bromley South to London Victoria and even less time will get you from Bromley North to Grove Park, where you can connect to Charing Cross and Cannon Street. There are a few more of these; Bickley and Sundridge Park in London service the area around Central London, while Shortlands is also served.

Orpington (61), Lewisham (208), Croydon (119), and Crystal Palace are served by local bus routes (227). The N3 runs from Oxford Circus to Trafalgar Square every night, whereas the N47 goes from Trafalgar Square to Oxford Circus every night.

Tram: Tramlink serves the western part of the borough, linking to Croydon and Wimbledon.

Our vehicle provides access to the M25, with multiple options for destinations, including London’s Heathrow, London’s Gatwick, and London’s Reading.

Cycling: There are more than 100 miles of cycle path in the borough of Bromley, part of which is off-road and includes routes like Jubilee Park and Waterlink Way. To make better maps of local bike routes, the council consults with libraries and bike shops in boroughs across the city.

Home and Market Trends

Since 1205, when the Bishop of Rochester began establishing Bromley as a base for travellers to London, Bromley has been an important part of south-east London. This stately Georgian building is still a prominent landmark for the neighbourhood and is currently a part of Bromley Civic Centre. As the neighbouring towns of Chatham and Gillingham began building railway stations before Bromley, its popularity faded. Once the first station opened in 1858, however, it soon rebounded. Small cottages and larger residences were first developed in Bromley Park. Conversions or replacements of large houses with smaller modern flats have been the dominant transformations since the mid 20th century. 

Traditional Victorian residences, as well as modern apartment towers, are present due to the wide range of property types present. A terraced home is the predominant residential property type in Bromley’s centre, while two and three bedroom houses in Bromley Common are a sought-after choice for first time buyers. Victorian cottages that are delightful to live in may be found in Bromley Old Town, in Bromley South, and in Shortlands, with semi-detached Edwardian and Edwardian houses in Bickley.

Renting a quality one-bedroom flat in London for £1,000 a month is one of the rare locations you can do so in Bromley. However, including the expense of commuting can add up.

Local Life in Bromley

Bromley High Street is bustling with activity, with the Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays each having an open-air market. This is accompanied by The Glades, a major shopping centre that offers enough parking.

Many different types of shows are available in Bromley, including the Churchill Theatre, which occasionally presents national tours. A poll of residents in London found that Bromley was one of the happiest locations to live in the city. A wide variety of families choose Westport for its great public schools and scenic, detached houses. On the other hand, some come for the appealing housing values and sumptuous amenities. In the neighbourhood, there are numerous fields for outdoor activities, such as soccer, baseball, rugby, and golf.

Open Spaces

Church House Gardens, located on a hillside site, features rose beds, formal gardens, a rockery, a lake, an amphitheatre, a children’s playground, tennis courts, and a skateboard park.

These parks, which include High Elms Country Park in Farnborough, Jubilee Country Park in Petts Wood, and Scadbury Park in Chislehurst, are all borough-run.

Arts and Recreation

While there are several theatres throughout the borough, as well as two theatres in the town centre, a professional theatre, the Churchill Theatre, and an amateur theatre, the Bromley Little Theatre, near Bromley North railway station, Bromley has several theatres.

The Churchill Theatre is one of the most successful regional producing theatres in the suburban area.

The Bromley Little Theatre on North Street is a bustling amateur theatre group, providing opportunities for actors and directors of all ages and abilities.

Art Deco six-screen Picturehouse cinema on High Street, and nine-screen Vue multiplex in St Mark’s Square have both reopened, having closed when the buildings were refurbished in 2016.

The local council-owned swimming pool is the Pavilion in Kentish Way.

Arts and Recreation

While there are several theatres throughout the borough, as well as two theatres in the town centre, a professional theatre, the Churchill Theatre, and an amateur theatre, the Bromley Little Theatre, near Bromley North railway station, Bromley has several theatres.

The Churchill Theatre is one of the most successful regional producing theatres in the suburban area.

The Bromley Little Theatre on North Street is a bustling amateur theatre group, providing opportunities for actors and directors of all ages and abilities.

Art Deco six-screen Picturehouse cinema on High Street, and nine-screen Vue multiplex in St Mark’s Square have both reopened, having closed when the buildings were refurbished in 2016.

The local council-owned swimming pool is the Pavilion in Kentish Way.

Gyms and Fitness Centres

It is common for towns to have four or more non-league football clubs. Bromley F.C. and Cray Wanderers F.C. both play their home games at the Hayes Lane Stadium. In what is currently London, Cray is also considered to be the oldest football club. Oakley Road is where other football teams, like Holmesdale F.C. and Greenwich Borough F.C., play.

Attractions and Entertainment

Bromley is not a popular destination for tourists. With the above two examples, you can see that when people come to attend the shows at the Churchill Theatre or to view the Bethlem Gallery, they would not want to go to Madame Tussaud’s in Bromley. However, independent coffee houses, parks, gyms, pools, stores, and restaurants ensure that residents of Bromley will never have to be bored.

Additionally, going to the Christmas Tree Farm in Downe is an enjoyable, inexpensive way to spend an entire morning. Mingle with horses, pigs, and peacocks at the site’s cafe, which is a short bus ride away from Bromley town centre. The Mansion at Beckenham Place Park is also worthy of a look. The Bussey Building located in Peckham recently purchased the Georgian property, and now it runs a weekly food market, along with community activities and gym courses.

Shopping in Bromley

In addition to a pedestrianised High Street, there is a substantial retail sector in the city, including a Glades Shopping Centre, which has a catchment of 1.3 million people. There are several shops located in the shopping district, including Next, Marks & Spencer, and Waterstone’s. Development in the neighbourhood of St. Mark’s Square has led to the opening of new eateries and a movie theatre.

Bromley has a lively town centre that contains several stores and charity shops, but not too many vacant spots.

Thanks to the recent closing of 19 Debenhams locations, Debenhams’ department store will survive.

Waitrose and Sainsbury’s have a high number of branches.

A great selection of luxury brands are on offer in the Glades covered shopping area, including Massimo Dutti, The White Company, Jo Malone, and Bobbi Brown.

Aside from the popular clothing retailers found at The Glades, there are a number of other chain retail outlets: Oliver Bonas, Zara, Joules, White Stuff, Fat Face, Phase Eight, Whistles, Waterstones, New Look, and H&M. The branches of Wagamama, Byron, and Carluccio’s can be found at the food mall that overlooks Queen Gardens.

Wilko, Poundland, TK Maxx, Laura Ashley, Lidl, Primark, and M&S all have stores on the High Street while an Ikea Planning Studio has recently opened in addition to the existing Ikea store on Tottenham Court Road. This Italian restaurant has been around for many years and is well-known.

Eating & Drinking in Bromley

Restaurants in North Bromley sprang up as a result of the substantially better public realm in the little streets.

Popular Turkish restaurant Havet and the recently redecorated Star & Garter are located in High Street. Café Rouge is located in Market Square, while Ask is found in East Street, and Bird & Bun is the best in town for rotisserie chicken and burgers. Nando’s, Pizza Express, and Franco Manca are located in Widmore Road.

• Havet
• Assos
• Cow & PigAqua Bar & Grill
• Cantinho Sul
• The Partridge
• Barrel & Horn
• Metropolis Bar

Nightlife in Bromley

The Elm Tree, The New Inn, and The Shortlands Tavern all have beer gardens in good weather. Even though there are alternatives like O’Neill’s, Burgers & Bubbles, Ora, Vuvu, and Greater than Gatsby for nightlife in Bromley, Bromley’s nightlife culture is often ignored. To take advantage of the fresh content as well as some wine, make your way to Bocca Social Bar.

Crime and Security

Included in London’s 33 towns, villages, and cities, Bromley is considered one of the 10 safest. In 2020, there were 65 crimes per 1,000 persons in Bromley.

Fun Fact About Bromley

It was in the year 862 that Bromley first appeared in an Anglo-Saxon charter with the Old English name “Bromleag”; this refers to a forest clearing where broom flourishes. Not the Bromley in Tower Hamlets, nor Great Bromley in Essex has this etymology with this location.

Local Authority