Bromley was founded before the Norman invasion, but remained a small settlement mainly noted for being on the coaching route between the capital and Hastings on the coast until the railways came in 1858. With the railways came major house building schemes in the latter part of the 19th century. Fewer than 10 miles from Charing Cross, Bromley is in easy commuter distance of Victoria, Waterloo and London Bridge. The town is well provided for as regards shopping – both markets and stores – and has plenty of well cared for parks and gardens that are a real resource for the area.