Bromley Borough Local History Society
Welcome to the Local History Society in the London Borough of Bromley.
On this and the many linked pages, in addition to information about the Society and its activities, you will find lots of pictures, photo-essays, articles and copies of old books, and older issues of the Society magazine which you can read on-line or download. Explore using the menu above or the quick links below. And it is always worth coming back as we regularly add new material. In addition to the index pages, there is also a Search option you may find helpful.
As a charity, we make no charge for the contents of the site but if you find them useful or interesting, or both, we would be delighted if you would like to come to our meetings or consider becoming a Member. Details of how to join can be found here .
Our monthly meetings are held at St. George's Church, Bickley. For more details about the programme and the venue, click here .
Are you new to the Borough of Bromley, or have you lived here for years? Either way, knowing more about the history of the place where you live, the things that have happened and the people involved can very rewarding. While these pages are free to browse, for a relatively small annual sum you can become a Member of the Society and contribute both to making and to preserving our shared local history. To find out more, click here!
Don't throw it away!
We are sometimes offered papers and pictures of local interest and can usually find a home for them. If you have items like this you are not sure what to do with, please tell us about them as they may well be useful to local historians and the wider public.
Next time you are clearing out drawers, cupboards or attics and come across old pictures and books, don't immediately throw them out; history is often made of small things which have been kept in the loft or a dark cupboard and forgotten about,
so drop us a line first - admin@bblhs.org.uk.
NEW Bromley Central Library
The Library and Theatre site is to be redeveloped and as a result the Library is to move to the old Topshop (or what was the White Hart) site in 2026, the existing library closing in 2025. Some plans are on display in the shop windows.
The relocation of the Archives has yet to be agreed but there is apparently insufficent room on the main library site.
For more detail go to www.bromley.gov.uk or click here to download Council committee information
LAMAS Newsletter
Information about history societies and activities around London over the next few months. Click here for the latest newsletter.
See also the Links page.
GLIAS Newsletter
Articles and events from the Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society covering the next few months. Click here for the latest newsletter.
See also the Links page.
Historic England - Heritage At Risk register 2023
For a look at the latest list of at-risk properties in London and the South East, click here to download the document. Regrettably, Bromley features at some length although it's not all bad news.
Bromley Central Library
You are always welcome in the Bromley Local Archives section but it is recommended you contact them first at historic.collections@gll.org or by phone on 020 3931 0907 if you are planning serious investigations and may require help.
You can also visit the Bromley Archives for the latest information on opening times etc.
The Library will be moving in 2026 into a former shop further up the High Street, near the Market Square. For some idea of what it might look like, click here.
