Its location on a coaching route and the opening of a railway station in 1858 were key to its development, and the economic history of Bromley is underpinned by a shift from an agrarian village to commerce and retail. As part of the suburban growth of London in the 20th century, Bromley significantly increased in population and was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1903. It has developed into one of a handful of regionally significant commercial and retail districts outside central London and has formed part of Greater London since 1965.

Bromley is served by two railway stations. Bromley South, the larger and more frequently served of the two, which is on the Chatham mainline. It is the nearest rail link to Bromley’s major shopping centre, InTu Bromley, previously The Glades.

Bromley became temporarily reknowned in the 1970s for ’The Bromley Contingent’, who were a group of followers and fans of the Sex Pistols (including Siouxsie Sioux, Sid Vicious and Billy Idol who also went on to become famous).