Addington
Addington is a village in the London Borough of Croydon in south London. Ballards Plantation is an area of quite beautiful wild land on the edge of Addington. This plantation is a popular attraction to a number of walkers in the area as some of it is covered in woodland and some open spaces. There is a great deal of tracks leading across the plantation, many beginning at a car park on the edge of the public parkland. During the autumn months the area is covered in different colours and it is one of the most beautiful places in the area to visit.
There is a cricket field in Addington which is one of the oldest in England. The local cricket club was one of the strongest in England during the mid-18th century, frequently taking on opposition of county-strength.
Arkley
Arkley is a village in the London Borough of Barnet. It is situated 10.6 miles (17.1 km) north-west of Charing Cross, and it is 482 feet (147 m) above sea level, which makes it one of the highest points in London.
The village stretches out between Barnet and Stirling Corner and it is centred around the "Gate" pub and is home to one of the oldest windmills in southern England called the Barnet Gate Mill.
Coombe
Coombe is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, not far from central Croydon.
Coombe is surrounded by the greenery of Shirley (Addington) Hills, Lloyd Park, Ballards and Coombe Wood. It is unspoilt by modern urbanisation and has retained its collection of large houses fairly intact. It gets its rural touch from the woodland aspect of the road and an old cattle trough at the junction of Coombe Lane and Oaks Road. There is a tram that runs through Coombe. The main road is Coombe Lane, the continuation of Coombe Road.
Downe
Downe is a village in the London Borough of Bromley.
It is located 3.4 miles (5.5 km) south west of Orpington and 14.2 miles (22.9 km) south east of Charing Cross. Downe stretches into a wooded valley, and much of the centre of the village is unchanged; the former village school now acts as the village hall. Down House in Down is the home of Charles Darwin who lived there for 40 years, from 1842 until he died there in 1882. A favourite place of his was Downe Bank, now a nature reserve.
This village is home to Stage Door Theatre Group (SDTG) and they present one major production each academic year, plus other events throughout the season. The group is for all young people aged between 7 and 17 managed by a group of adult volunteers and parents. The group’s aim is to provide for youth in the community as well as giving young people the opportunity to learn through the experience of performing arts. SDTG is a member of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.
Harefield
Harefield is a village in the London Borough of Hillingdon. It is 17 miles (27 km) to the north west of Charing Cross. It is on top of a hill, just inside the north-west boundary of Greater London and the M25 motorway.
Harefield hospital is a world-famous heart and lung hospital, where pioneering heart surgery techniques were developed. Nearby is Mount Vernon Hospital, which provides specialist non-surgical cancer services and a burns unit. Harefield is also home to an Elite Gymnastics Academy which opened in September 2005 on the John Penrose School site.
Havering-atte-Bower
Havering-atte-Bower is a village and outlying settlement of the London Borough of Havering. It is located 15 miles (24 km) north east of Charing Cross. It was one of three former parishes whose area comprised the historic Royal Liberty of Havering.
The ancient village is on one of the highest points in London, and is near to the M25 motorway. As it’s situated 344 feet (105 metres) above sea level it provides striking views of East London, Essex and Kent. To the north of Havering-atte-Bower is open countryside and to the south are the large suburban developments of Harold Hill and Collier Row.
This village is very green as it is surrounded by three large parks. They are the dense woodlands of Havering (site of one of only two redwood plantations in England, imported from California), Bedfords Park, and Pyrgo. Bower House, built in 1729 by John Baynes, is one of the most extraordinary houses. It is made by using some of the materials of the former Havering Palace. The area is on the route of the London Outer Orbital Path.
