Shortlands

Shortlands
Shortlands  Shortlands shown within Greater London
Population	9,303  (ward, 2001 census)
OS grid reference	TQ395685
London borough	Bromley
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BROMLEY
Postcode district	BR2
Dialling code	020
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
EU Parliament	London
UK Parliament	Beckenham
London Assembly	Bexley and Bromley
List of places UK England London

Shortlands is a suburban village in the London Borough of Bromley, Greater London, England. It is located to the west and south west of the town of Bromley.

History

Historically, Shortlands was known as Clay Hill. It became known as Shortlands around 1800, after the fields which, at this point of the Ravensbourne river, ran at right angles up the slopes on either side. Suburban development began in 1863 with the sale of the Shortlands House estate, making full advantage of the railway station opened in May 1858.

Transport

Shortlands station serves the area with rail services to London Victoria via Herne Hill, Kentish Town via Catford, Orpington and Sevenoaks via Swanley. Shortlands is served by several Transport for London bus services linking it with areas including Beckenham, Bromley, Croydon, Crystal Palace, Orpington and Penge.

Nearby areas

• Bromley
• Beckenham
• Southend
• Eden Park
• Hayes
• Downham
• West Wickham
• Elmers End
• Bickley
• Bellingham
• Park Langley
• Penge

Background

Shortlands is most famous for Enid Blyton having lived there in the later stages of her life. Other famous residents have included the novelist Mrs Craik, for whom Norman Shaw built a house on Shortlands Road, and the electrical engineer Alexander Muirhead, credited with recording the first human electrocardiogram. George Grote, the eminent historian of Greece, was born here when it was known as Clay Hill. Lord Stamp of Shortlands, first Charter Mayor of Beckenham and Chairman of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway lived in Shortlands and died with his family when his house was bombed in 1941. Actor Brian Murphy lives in the village. Adele Atiyah, (a famous vegetarian rights activist), also lived in Shortlands but has now moved to Kuwait.

The main schools in Shortlands are Valley Primary School, Highfield Infant and Junior Schools, Clare House Primary School and Bishop Challoner School. On top of Shortlands Hill towards the Chinese Garage is the Shortlands library, linked with other libraries of the Bromley borough.

The Prime Meridian runs through Shortlands.

Sports and leisure

Beccehamians RFC a Rugby Union Club founded in 1933 plays competitive rugby at Sparrows Den at the bottom of Corkscrew Hill near West Wickham.

External links

• Historical images of Shortlands