Kenley is a district in the south of the London Borough of Croydon (in times past in Surrey). Kenley is set 13 miles south of Charing Cross. Significant sections of Kenley lie within the Metropolitan Green Belt. Particularly, the south of Kenley is dominated by the open green spaces of Kenley Common and Kenley Aerodrome. The 2011 census showed Kenley having a population of 14,966. For centuries, Kenley became part of Coulsdon Manor which covered the entire area and was predominantly farm land, with a couple of large homes and their estates. The official opening of the train on 4 August 1856 completely transformed Kenley. The new railway triggered urban progression. By the end of the Victorian era, Kenley had actually assumed its own identity. Kenley Common comprises fifty-six hectares of green open space surrounding a former Battle of Britain airfield. It is a blend of chalk grassland and ancient woodland set within gently rolling hills. Blessed with great views across the Caterham valley and the North Downs beyond, visitors find it hard to believe that the centre of London is only 14 miles to the north. Just one of Kenley's landmark buildings is the Memorial Hall. It was opened in 1922 to celebrate those who offered 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 features graphic descriptions of the station and attacks on it in 1940. English Heritage described Kenley as the "most complete fighter airfield connected with the Battle of Britain to have survived". For all your home renovations, be sure to identify reputable contractors in Kenley to make certain of quality.