Kenley
Kenley is a district in the south of the London Borough of Croydon (in the past in Surrey). Kenley is set 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 showed Kenley having a population of 14,966. For centuries, Kenley became part of Coulsdon Manor which covered all of the area and was primarily farm land, with a handful of large houses and their estates. The formal opening of the railway on 4 August 1856 changed Kenley. The new railway prompted urban progression. By the end of the Victorian era, Kenley had actually acquired its own identity. Kenley Common constitutes fifty-six hectares of green open space surrounding an one-time Battle of Britain airfield. It is a blend of chalk grassland and ancient woodland set among carefully rolling hills. Blessed with fine views across the Caterham valley and the North Downs beyond, visitors find it tough 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 pay tribute to those who offered their lives in World War I. It was consequently 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 during the Battle of Britain. It contains graphic descriptions of the station and attacks on it in 1940. English Heritage described Kenley as the "most complete fighter airfield related to the Battle of Britain to have survived". For all of your home enhancements, be sure to find reliable specialists in Kenley to make certain of quality.