This neighbourhood is situated in the south London borough of Bromley, to the west of Orpington and encompassing some of Farnborough. Characterised by a pleasant, suburban residential atmosphere, this sedate area is comprised predominantly of ‘avenues’ and ‘drives’ ideal for family living. Darrick Wood School lies to the south and has a nursery, as well as a Pool & Sports Centre. Princess Royal University Hospital is also nearby. A large Lidl and Sainsburys are conveniently located on the border of an ideal green walking and recreational area, Farnborough Common. European restaurants such as ‘Chapter One’ can be found in the village of Locksbottom, and popular bars include The British Queen and Ye Olde Whyte Lyon. On Crofton Road can be found the picturesque modern Roman Catholic church of St Michael and All Angels.

Bromley Poor Law Union was founded in 1836, and in 1844 the Bromley Union Workhouse was built in Locksbottom. The former workhouse site is now Farnborough Hospital. Ye Olde White Lyon also has a rich history: built in 1626, the pub has retained a façade of oak beams and prides itself on being a haven of traditional Kentish hospitality.

Apparently - wait for it - Lee from ‘Blue’ was in Farnborough Safeways once. David Mellor, who designed the contemporary traffic light and some wonderful cutlery and furniture, also went to school in Farnborough.

Anne Robinson (presenter of BBC’s ‘The Weakest Link’) was expelled from Farnborough Convent as a girl because one Halloween she tampered with a tapestry that had been stitched by the Princess Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. Also, Farnborough hosts an enormous International air show each year which involves a static aircraft park and flying display.

One resident called this neighbourhood ‘a bit soulless.’ However, others spoke positively about the excellent secondary schools in this catchment area and the ‘desirable sport and leisure facilities.’

New development in Farnborough isn’t a common occurence, asdie from the occasional singular or cluster of detached family homes. Sandringham Gardens, completed in 2017, is an example of such development, comprised of under-floor heated three and four bedroom family homes, which were very popularly received in the market. Orpington Town Centre has captivated a bit more attention from developers and even the council. As part of Bromley Council’s ‘Bromley Homes for Bromley People’ initiative, 35 new fully affordable housing units are nearing completion at York Rise in Orpington; the council has already completed three other such schemes elsewhere in the borough. In December 2021, developer Areli submitted an ambitious but highly controversial proposal to Bromley Council involving the demolition of Orpington shopping centre to build 19-storey tower blocks and a new shopping centre, which would have included up to 990 homes, a new town square, mall, leisure complex and day care centre (to actually replace the mall, leisure and day care centres that would have been bulldozed). The proposal was so unpopular with locals that the council received more than 3,000 objections, leading to developer withdrawing their application in Autumn 2022.