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Orpington

With excellent shopping, sporting and leisure facilities, this suburban town also has an ancient history, strong links with Darwin and a wealth of green spaces. One of the last towns before the green belt and the M25, Orpington in south London offers a quick commute of about 30 minutes into London Bridge and the City and offers a peaceful alternative for families escaping central London’s hustle and bustle. There are good state schools, including two grammars, plus a vibrant town centre and homes ranging from multimillion-pound houses on private gated estates to affordable two- and three-bedroom terrace houses. There are period homes and cottages in the nearby villages of Chelsfield, Knockholt, Halstead and Pratts Bottom and also in Downe, where Charles Darwin’s home, Down House, is open to the public.

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Chelsfield

One of the oldest parishes in West Kent, originally included most of Farnborough and Green Street Green and was part of the vast possessions of William the Conqueror. Chelsfield Park itself is a small, prestigious, leafy residential area situated in the heart of Chelsfield, about 15 miles from central London on the periphery of the Green Belt. The Residents Association formed in the 1950s remains central to the community and continues to play an active part in the running of the Park. The Park lies very close to Chelsfield Station which provides fast and frequent services to London and a short drive of the M25 providing easy access to all major road networks, Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

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Halstead

Halstead is a village in the commuter belt north of Sevenoaks, high on the North Downs surrounded by orchards and trees and farmland yet less than 20 miles from London. Halstead’s most famous resident wrote a book, a best seller - The Railway Children. The author was Edith Nesbit who lived at Halstead Hall for three years during the 1870s when she was a child. The village is close to Knockholt train station, has a Primary School and nursery and the village hall holds many annual events.

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Pratts Bottom

An expanded village just beyond the southern tip of Chelsfield, nestled in a valley at the foot of Rushmore Hill. The village has a school, public house, church and village hall and terraces of weather boarded and flint cottages. Located on the border with Kent, Pratts Bottom is surrounded by beautiful countryside and yet is within easy reach of Junction 4 of M25 and just 18 miles from Central London. Walks in the area are popular with ramblers and families. The village is named after the Pratt family from the 14th century. Until the 1830s the village was on the toll road from London to Hastings and was the haunt of smugglers and highwaymen. Dick Turpin used to drink in the village pub.

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Knockholt

Knockholt is a thriving village community with around 1,100 residents and several local businesses. The village itself has a local shop, public houses, schools, an award-winning garden centre and an ancient church. For commuters, Knockholt Station is just over two miles away and Orpington Station four miles away. The area is renowned for its walks and bridle paths and nearby golf clubs. A carnival is held every two years along with other events including a beer festival and a famous fireworks display.

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Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks is the sort of place that you never really choose for a day out but is a choice for day-to-day life. It is a perennial commuter favourite and continues to thrive in the way that only those Kentish towns surrounded by green-belt land with grammar schools can. All around Sevenoaks are more must-see sights. Discover National Trust-run properties such as Chartwell, Quebec House and Emmetts Garden with its profusion of roses and bluebells. There is the enchanting 13th century Hever Castle, Penshurst Place and Chiddingstone village which offer themed activities for the family.

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Otford

Nestling at the foot of the beautiful North Downs, Otford is a thriving village on the River Darent with a past steeped in history. Otford High Street has been deemed a conservation area where you will find many beautiful historic houses and cottages dating back to the 15th century and beyond.

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Westerham

As its name suggests, Westerham is as westerly as you can get in Kent before crossing the border into Surrey. A stone’s throw from some of Kent’s finest countryside, and with Sevenoaks just 15 minutes away by car, it also happens to have easy access to the M25 and is close to Oxted station for a quick journey into London by train.

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