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 areas of Kenley lie within the Metropolitan Green Belt. Specifically, 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 belonged to Coulsdon Manor which covered the entire area and was largely farm land, with a couple of big homes and their estates. The official opening of the railway on 4 August 1856 completely transformed Kenley. The new railway triggered urban development. By the end of the Victorian era, Kenley had actually adopted its own identity. Kenley Common constitutes fifty-six hectares of green open space surrounding a past Battle of Britain airfield. It is a mixture 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 hard to believe that the centre of London is only 14 miles to the north. Amongst Kenley's landmark structures is the Memorial Hall. It was opened in 1922 to honour those who gave their lives in World War I. It was subsequently 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 defined Kenley as the "most comprehensive fighter airfield connected with the Battle of Britain to have actually survived". For all your home improvements, make certain to find reputable experts in Kenley to make certain of quality.