Kenley
Kenley is a district in the south of the London Borough of Croydon (in the past in Surrey). Kenley is situated 13 miles south of Charing Cross. Significant areas of Kenley lie within the Metropolitan Green Belt. Particularly, the south of Kenley is dominated by the open green areas of Kenley Common and Kenley Aerodrome. The 2011 census noted Kenley having a population of 14,966. For centuries, Kenley belonged to Coulsdon Manor which covered the whole area and was primarily farm land, with a few large homes and their estates. The official opening of the train on 4 August 1856 revolutionised Kenley. The new railway triggered urban progression. By the end of the Victorian era, Kenley had actually adopted its own identity. Kenley Common makes up fifty-six hectares of green open space surrounding an one-time Battle of Britain airfield. It is a mixture of chalk grassland and ancient woodland set within gently rolling hills. Blessed with fine views across the Caterham valley and the North Downs beyond, visitors find it hard to think that the centre of London is just 14 miles to the north. One of Kenley's landmark buildings is the Memorial Hall. It was opened in 1922 to commemorate those who gave their lives in World War I. It was later extended and re-opened by Group Captain Douglas Bader in 1975. Hammond Innes' book Attack Alarm was based upon his experiences as a Royal Artillery anti-aircraft gunner at RAF Kenley through the Battle of Britain. It includes graphic descriptions of the station and attacks on it in 1940. English Heritage identified Kenley as the "most complete fighter airfield connected with the Battle of Britain to have survived". For all your home refurbishments, make sure to find dependable professionals in Kenley to make certain of quality.
