Downe, by virtue of the protection brought by the Green Belt and its conservation area status, retains the character of rural Kent.

Its focus is the ancient church of St Mary the Virgin and there are many surviving large, old and architecturally interesting houses.

The pond seen here, a characterisitic feature of rural life, has succumbed to modern climate changes and is no more.

Copyright Bromley Times. Contact Bromley Local Studies and Archives.