Orpington - Orpington visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Orpington' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Kent.

Orpington lies about 16miles southeast of central London, just north of the M25. It can therefore be considered to lie within the Greater London region as well as within the county of Kent. The area has a long history with human settlement, with both Stone and Bronze Age artefacts being found. The Romans also occupied Orpington and it is first mentioned in writing as 'Orpedingetune' in 1032, and later in the 1086 Doomsday Book.

Today, Orpington is a commuter town, popular with city workers with direct and fast rail links into Waterloo, Charring Cross, Victoria and London Bridge in under 30 minutes. Because of this, and with relatively easy access to the countryside in Southeast England, house prices in Orpington have risen sharply in recent times.

Orpington is not a tourist destination, and there are few notable attractions within the town. An exception to this is Down House, the home of Charles Darwin. Other places of interest inlcude:

• Crofton Roman Villa - remains of ten rooms of a Roman Villa inside a modern building next to the railway station.
• The Parish Church of All Saints - with pre-Norman foundations, and some Saxon stonework, the church was greatly enlarged in 1957.
• The Priory - Medieval hall house built in 1290 and enlarged in in 1393 and 1471. Now owned by Orpington Urban District Council, the Priory houses a library and the Bromley Museum. The source of the River Cray is in the garden.
• Orpington Golf Centre - one of the largest golfing establishments in the South East of England with two courses.
• Chislehurst Caves - 22 miles of caves and tunnels, some open to the public. About 6 miles from Orpington.
• Eagle Heights Bird of Prey Centre - bird centre with over 50 species of raptors including eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, about 4 miles east of Orpington.
• Lullingstone Castle and the World Garden - frequented by Henry VIII and Queen Anne the castle contains various state rooms, suits of armour and the World Garden, about 4 miles form Orpington.

There is no Tourist Information Centre in Orpington.

Train: Orpington Station - direct lines to central London.
London Travel Zone 6