Property to let in Orpington

Our area guide for Orpington offers a brief overview of the town and its attractions, properties, schools, history, council tax and public transport links.

Overview

Orpington and the immediate surrounding areas - including Green Street Green, Chelsfield, Crofton, Locks Bottom, Petts Wood, St Mary Cray and St Pauls Cray - have all evolved from small villages to become thriving urban communities. This is mainly due to the excellent rail links to London, good schools and other amenities. Famous births in the town and ex-residents include naturalist Charles Darwin, chef Gary Rhodes and musician Dizzee Rascal.

Shopping

The best retail experience can be found in Orpington town centre, where there is a bustling High Street and The Walnuts enclosed shopping centre. There is Nugent retail park off Sevenoaks Way, where brands such as M&S, Laura Ashley, Next, Mothercare and Debenhams have large stores. As well as the usual high street names, there are some excellent independent and family-run businesses in the town, including the Italian delicatessen Café Primo in Orpington High Street.

Attractions

The Walnuts Leisure Centre is the main facility for sports enthusiast, although there are a plethora of privately-run clubs and gyms, providing facilities for sports from cycling, netball and hockey to cricket, martial arts and tennis. Orpington also has a bowling alley and many parks, including Priory Gardens, where the pond is the source of the River Cray. The Priory itself – a medieval ‘hall house’ – is home to the Bromley Museum, and there is also a large public library.

Food and Drink

The number of restaurants in Orpington seems to grow every day. You can know find a great choice of Chinese, Indian, Italian and Greek cuisines. Whether it’s an evening out or a quick lunch-time bite to eat, Orpington has something for everyone. For the best Chinese in town, head to Xian for award-winning cuisine, or book a table at Chapter One at Locks Bottom, which currently holds a Michelin star.

History

Settlements in Orpington can be traced back to the Stone Age, with several tools from that era found in the town. Until the railway came, Orpington was just a small country village surrounded by soft fruit farms, hop fields and orchards.

Property market

There is a very diverse mix of property in Orpington, ranging from starter homes through to substantial detached mansions set within private parks, such as Chelsfield Park, Keston Park and Farnborough Park. History lovers will find a good deal of Victorian and period properties too.

Council Tax

Orpington and the majority of the surrounding areas fall within the London Borough of Bromley and these are the council tax valuations details for the year 2011/2012.

Education

There is a good selection of schools and colleges in the Orpington area. Of particular note are St Olaves and St Saviour’s Grammar School, Warren Road School, Darrick Wood and Newstead Wood School for Girls. Other schools include:

• St Mary Cray Primary School
• Warren Road Primary School
• Hillside Primary School
• The Highway Primary School
• Blenheim Primary School
• Perry Hall Primary School
• Holy Innocents Catholic Primary School
• Crofton Infant School
• Crofton Junior School
• Poverest Primary School
• Tubbenden Infant and Junior School
• Midfield Primary School
• Leesons Hill Primary School
• Grays Farm Primary School
• The Priory School
• Orpington College

Hospitals

Orpington’s closest hospital is the Princess Royal in Farnborough and there is a Urgent Medical Care Unit at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup. Orpington Hospital provides rehabilitation and therapy services, outpatient and diagnostic services.

Transport Links

Orpington mainline station is in Zone 6 and is conveniently located a short walk from the town centre. The station has a direct service to London Bridge, Charing Cross, Victoria, Cannon Street and Blackfriars. There are also stations at Chelsfield, Petts Wood and St Mary Cray. Orpington is also serviced by dozens of bus routes and is a short distance from junction four of the M25.