The Sprawling Town Of Bromley

Bromley is a sprawling town to the South of Lewisham and the North East of Croydon in the greater London area. Administered by the Borough of Bromley the town is home to the boroughs headquarters. Formerly a market town the market square is at the centre of the town on the intersection of Church Road and the High Street.

Originally called Bromleag, Bromley was recorded as a town as early as 862 AD, with its ancient name meaning a clearing in woodland where there is broom. The first recorded owners of Bromley were the Bishops of Rochester who owned the parish until Coles Child brought the parish from the Bishops in 1845. The town was more of a village until in 1858 the railway passed through the village creating growth which led to the town of Bromley as it is known today. During the years Bromley has been part of several different parishes, originally being that of Bromley St Peter and St Paul, until in 1965 it became the London Borough of Bromley, as it is today.

In 1866 the novelist H. G. Wells was born in Bromley and to date remains one of its most famous residents. Masons Hill is home to an H. G. Wells centre, also home of the Bromley Labour Club. There have been many other famous people born or who have lived in Bromley, these include Sir William Pitt (prime minister), David Bowie (musician), Christopher Tennant (actor), Charles Darwin (author of the Origin of Species), Michael York (actor), Gary Rhodes (celebrity chef), Billy Idol (rock star) and recent pop star Pixie Lott. The parish church has produced 3 Bishops in the 20th Century. The town also has a reputation for producing professional footballers including the likes of Jason Roberts (Blackburn Rovers), Gary O'Neil (West Ham United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United and England) and John Pantsil (Fulham F.C.).

Bromley has excellent transport links into London. Although not served by its own tube station Bromley does have 2 railway stations with links into Central London and further afield in Greater London and Kent. With bus routes to the local main towns Bromley is well placed for those wishing to get into the centre of London, however, with the exception of a night bus service, it has no direct bus route into the capital.

The town's economy relies heavily on retail, with the town having a pedestrianised High Street and retail park called the Glades. However this source of income is under threat with major shopping centres in nearby Croydon and Bluewater taking a share of the market.

For those families living within Bromley there is a great selection of schools, including 2 selective grammar schools, several outstanding OFSTED school and 2 specialist schools for Art and Media. The town boasts a rugby club and Bromley football club, who hold regular holiday training camps for local youngsters. When coupled with the large number of theatres, libraries, cinemas and sporting facilities within the town Bromley is a perfect place for those wishing to be within easy reach of the centre of London to raise their families.

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