What's happening in Bromley

Open House London showcases great design in every London borough. Click here to find out what you can see in Bromley this year.

Below, you can find out all about the local context of this borough's architecture, areas undergoing change and projects under construction.

Bromley, London’s Greenest Borough

Bromley is the largest of the 32 London Boroughs as well as the greenest with over half its area consisting of open countryside making up an important part of London’s Green Belt.  There are probably more trees in Bromley than in any other borough and many of its residential roads, avenues and crescents can truly be described as leafy and spacious.

The Borough is diverse, combining green space with well-built suburb, vibrant shopping with thriving business.  Bromley Town Centre is the main shopping and business location for much of southeast London yet just yards from the busy High Street and The Glades there are tranquil gardens and peaceful landscapes making a visit a special experience.  Its origins as a Victorian market town can be clearly seen in many listed buildings.  

The village of Downe in the southern part of the borough was home to Charles Darwin from 1842 to 1882 where he wrote the Origin of Species.  He developed many of his ideas on daily observations and experiments in his garden and the surrounding meadows, woods and hedgerows. 

Bromley has a rich heritage and emphasis is placed on protecting the quality of its unique environment.  A recent survey has identified a wealth of unspoilt Victorian and Edwardian houses around Beckenham.  Crystal Palace Park was created in 1854 for the vast glass palace that housed the Great Exhibition.  The Palace burnt down in 1936 but its legacy remains in the form of terraces and other Victorian structures in and around the Park including the recently restored dinosaurs and geological display – the world’s first theme park!  Biggin Hill Airport, well known throughout the world as the key front line fighter station in the Battle of Britain, is now a busy airport with a significant business presence.

 

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Bromley architecture showcased in Open House London 2011

See the listings here

2010 Highlights

The High Elms Estate walk looked at the role of
Darwin and his peers in that neighbourhood, and the
organisers said: “The event enabled us to consolidate
our understanding of the buildings. The neighbourhoods
theme allowed us to promote the idea of the 19th
century neighbourhood/community”

A visitor said: “It was a real privilege to meet Ivor
Berresford, the architect of the Berresford House and to
hear first hand about how the house came into being
and how it has been used over the years. They were
charming and I am extremely grateful to them for giving
up their time and allowing us into their home. It makes
me realise how important the built environment is and
what a difference it can make to people’s lives.”

 

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