Orpington news
Orpington news, newest first, from Bromley Online: planning, roads, schools, business and what's on in Orpington, with every story linked to its source.
Top story
Bromley Playgrounds and Parks for Children
Fifteen Bromley playgrounds, from Crystal Palace Park's new dinosaur play area to Kelsey Park, with the toilets, cafes, car parks and winter gate times.
More stories
Orpington
Orpington Weather: 7-Day Forecast and Today's Hourly Outlook
Orpington weather today: overcast, 13°C by day and 8°C overnight, with a 100% chance of rain and winds up to 21 mph. Seven-day forecast, updated every morning.
Transport
A20 40mph Fines: MPs Say Court Found the Limit Unlawful
Three MPs say a Crown Court found TfL's 40mph limit on the A20 through Bromley unlawful. They want fines repaid and points removed; no refund route yet.
Environment
Bromley Fly-Tipping: Two More Tipper Trucks Seized
Bromley Council seized Ford Transit tippers in Barnfield Road, St Mary Cray, and Old Maidstone Road this week. Its six-month tally is now nine seized and eleven crushed.
Orpington
Orpington parkrun Passes 100,000 Finishes at Goddington Park
Orpington parkrun logged its 100,000th finish on 3 October, at its 663rd event. 14,419 different people have run it. When it runs and how to join.
Orpington
Aldi Farnborough Way, Orpington: Hours 8am to 10pm, Car Park
Aldi Farnborough Way, Orpington West, BR6 7GE: 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm Sunday, own car park and 24 jobs. Opening was set for 15 October.
Council
Blenheim Centre Orpington: £4.5m Works From February 2027
Orpington's Blenheim Children and Family Centre gets an 18-month, £4.5m rebuild from February 2027. Age Concern's day centre and the contact centres move in.
Food and drink
Asian Curry Awards: Five Bromley Borough Finalists
Five Bromley borough restaurants are Asian Curry Awards 2026 finalists, in West Wickham, Petts Wood, Green Street Green and St Paul's Cray. Voting is open now.
Orpington
Orpington Data Centre: Green Belt Site Needs Full EIA
Bromley has ruled that a data centre proposed on green belt land at Charmwood Lane, Green Street Green, needs a full assessment. No application is lodged yet.
Orpington
Poverest Centre Closure: Orpington Has Until 18 October
Bromley again proposes closing Orpington's Poverest adult education centre after a court quashed its 2025 decision. The nine options, costs and how to respond.
Remembrance
Bromley Remembrance Sunday: 29 Services on 8 November
Remembrance Sunday falls on 8 November 2026. Bromley held 29 services last year, from 9.15am to 3pm. Here is where each one was, and when the 2026 list lands.
Christmas
Santa's Grotto Near Bromley: Two Are Bookable, Both Outside
Nothing in Bromley borough has published a 2026 grotto yet. Two just outside it are already taking bookings, with dates and prices. Here is what each costs.
Bromley
St Olave's pupil takes 12 grade 9s while bowling for Kent
Arnav Singh, 16, scored 9s in all 12 GCSEs, 98% in English Literature, while playing county cricket, for St Olave's and for Bromley CC. His mum tells the story.
Orpington
Orpington Post Office to Close 28 October, No Successor Yet
Orpington's High Street Post Office shuts on Wednesday 28 October. Post Office Ltd is still reading applications for a replacement. The nearest are a mile off.
Housing
St Paul's Cray: 68 affordable homes rise, 3,430 waiting
Foundations are complete on 68 council homes at Bellegrove, a £29m scheme due late 2027. Bromley's housing register holds 3,430 households.
Housing
52 affordable homes approved for Orpington and Mottingham
Bromley has approved 42 council homes on Poverest Road, Orpington and 10 more on Castlecombe Road, Mottingham, all for households on its housing register.
Bins
Bromley Christmas Bin Collections: A Day Late Into January
Bromley moved every bin day from Christmas Day to 9 January last year by one day. The 2026 dates follow in December; last year's table and tree drop-offs.
Schools
Bromley School Term Dates 2026/27: Christmas From 18 Dec
Bromley schools break up for Christmas on Friday 18 December 2026 and return on 4 January. Every half term for 2026/27, plus where big schools differ.
Trains
Bromley Christmas Trains: No Victoria Service Last Year
Last Christmas, Bromley South lost its Victoria trains from 27 to 31 Dec and the last train on Christmas Eve left at 21.27. 2026 plans are due in November.