Darwin, dinosaurs and open countryside
In the village of Downe, Down House was Charles Darwin's home for forty years and the place where he wrote On the Origin of Species. Now run by English Heritage, the house and its Sandwalk path give a rare sense of how Darwin worked and lived.
At the other end of the borough, Crystal Palace Park still has its Victorian dinosaur sculptures, created in the 1850s and now Grade I listed, beside the terraces where the great glass palace once stood. Between the two lie Bromley town centre, Beckenham, Orpington, Chislehurst and a surprising amount of farmland and woodland.
Places worth knowing
- Down House – Darwin's home and gardens.
- Crystal Palace Park – Victorian dinosaurs, maze and the National Sports Centre.
- Chislehurst Caves – miles of man-made tunnels, used as an air-raid shelter in the Second World War.
- High Elms Country Park – woodland, nature trails and a golf course.
Getting in and out
There is no Underground in Bromley. Southeastern and Thameslink trains run from Bromley South, Orpington, Beckenham and Chislehurst into central London, and Tramlink reaches Beckenham Junction and Elmers End from Croydon and Wimbledon. The A21, A20 and A232 cross the borough, with the M25 to the south.
Airport transfers from Bromley
Gatwick is usually the most convenient major airport, via the A21 or the M25. London City is reached via the A20 and Blackwall Tunnel, and Heathrow via the South Circular or M25. Bromley also contains London Biggin Hill Airport, used for business and private aviation, which can be very convenient for private flights.
See our Gatwick Airport transfers and Biggin Hill Airport transfers pages.
Pickup tips for this borough
Rural addresses around Downe, Cudham and Biggin Hill can be hard to find in the dark, and some lanes are narrow. A clear house name, gate description or what3words location helps the driver. For private flights from Biggin Hill, give us the handling agent or terminal name so we can drive to the right building.
Frequently asked questions
Is Down House easy to reach without a car?
Public transport to Downe is limited, so many visitors use a car or private transfer. Check opening days before you travel.
What is the best airport for Bromley?
Gatwick is usually best for scheduled flights. For private aviation, Biggin Hill is within the borough.
Do you cover Biggin Hill Airport?
Yes. We provide transfers to and from London Biggin Hill for private and business flights.