Biggin Hill guidebook

Biggin Hill, in the Borough of Bromley, is undoubtedly best known for its airport which was once an RAF airfield and which played a crucial part in both World Wars, in particular during the Battle of Britian in WWII.

These days, it is a civilian airport which is mainly used for small, private aircraft, but once a year it welcomes thousands of members of the public to the exceptionally popular International Air Fare.

Residentially, Biggin Hill consisted mainly of rural cottages and farms until 1895, when one Frederick Douglas bought the district's Aperfield Manor and began selling plots of land. 

This led to Biggin Hill becoming popular as a holiday spot for those with the money, and to a number of tea rooms and shops opening up to cater for them. 

It also brought about a gradual increase in the number of houses although, more often than not, these were of fairly poor quality and design as it was generally the owners, rather than professionals, who built them.

A further bout of residential expansion followed World War II, but this time the homes were properly built by developers, who also took the opportunity to rebuild some of the aforementioned ramshackle houses while they were at it.

Biggin Hill today is a curious but not unpleasant mixture of urban expansion and rural countryside, and house prices are comparatively affordable given its Greater London status.

Property in Biggin Hill

As suggested by its name, Biggin Hill is on a steep slope, and many of its homes have been built onto the hillside.  As a result they are often of an American-style split-level design which lends a modern feel.

Elsewhere, the developments of the 60s provided lots of houses and flats, and although they may be fairly plain in appearance they serve their purpose well, and there also plenty of bungalows around. 

House prices are relatively affordable here considering it's part of Greater London, but, not unexpectedly, there's a reason for this.

Although the Capital is less than 20 miles away, there is only one road in and out of Biggin Hill and so the journey time generally takes over an hour.

Buyers: Familes have a good choice of suitable houses in a pleasant, countrified setting, and there are local schools.

Commuters willing to take the train from nearby Orpington will have a fast connection into London.

Living in Biggin Hill

Transport

• Road: Situated on the A233, but as this is the only road in and out it can be very congested – it takes approx. an hour to travel the 19 miles to London.
• Train: Trains run from nearby Orpington to London Charing Cross several times an hour with a journey time of around 35 minutes.
• Air: The airport is now known as London Biggin Hill Airport which is mainly used by private small aircraft, as well as helicopters and occasional larger aircraft.

Shopping

• There are the usual local shops in Biggin Hill including a butcher, dairy, chemist, off licence, hairdresser and beauty salon, and a large supermarket.

Food & Drink

• Biggin Hill has lots of eateries with Indian, Chinese, Italian and Thai food all available.
• There are also several cosy pubs and inns in the area.

Sports

• Cherry Lodge private members' golf course is in Biggin Hill, and there are other courses nearby.
• The Darwin Sports Centre offers a range of activities including tennis and trampolining.
• Biggin Hill's proximity to the countryside means many outdoors activities are available such as horse riding, cycling and hill walking.