Welcome to Bromley

The London Borough of Bromley is located south of the River Thames and to the south-east of the city. It comprises the areas of Anerley, Beckenham, Bickley, Biggin Hill, Bromley, Chelsfield, Chislehurst, Downe, Elmstead, Farnborough, Hayes, Keston, Mottingham, Orpington, Penge, Petts Wood, Pratt's Bottom, Shortlands, Southborough, St Mary Cray, St Paul's Cray, Sundridge, West Wickham.

Its Borough covers an area of approximately 150.15 sq km.

It is the largest of the thirty-two London boroughs and lies in an area which is urbanized to the north and west and has open countryside to the south-east. Chislehurst Caves, which are actually chalk and flint mines dating back possibly as far as Roman times, are a famous attraction in the area. The annual Biggin Hill Air Fair is held at Biggin Hill Airport, an important airfield during World War II.

Bromley town's history dates from the 9th century, when it is recorded as Bromleag. In 1205 Bromley was granted a charter for a market, and in 1447 a second charter granted two annual fairs and moved the market day to Thursday. The London Borough of Bromley was created in 1965. Beckenham was referred to in the Domesday Book as Bacheham, and was derived from the Old English Beohhan + ham meaning Beohha's hometead. The River Beck is named after the town. St George's church here has the oldest lych gate (13th century) in the country. Downe was the home of Charles Darwin from 1842 until his death in 1882, and Down House and the surrounding area has been nominated to become a World Heritage Site.

The service industry is the largest sector of the local economy, employing around 76% of all workers.

The name Bromley means 'the meadow where broom grows'. In AD 862 it was recorded as Bromleag, becoming Bronlie in the Domesday Book of 1086.