Orpington Oatcake
Priory tours and a weekend of local history
Published Thursday 17 September 2026
Tour the Priory, hear visiting folk musicians, book a sensory storytime and note renewed dog controls from October.
Top Updates
Step inside the Priory for Open House
The Priory and Old Library on Church Hill opens free from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 19 September, with artists' studios and historical tours of the Grade II*-listed building. The last tour starts at 4pm, and there are no tours between 1pm and 2pm. Plan your Priory visit.
Bromley's dog controls continue from October
The borough's dog-control order has been renewed for three years from Thursday 1 October. Existing rules continue, including leads on public highways and in nature reserves, keeping dogs out of children's play areas, and a limit of three dogs per walker without a council licence. Dogs remain welcome in cemeteries when kept on a lead. Read a summary of the renewed dog-control rules.
Local primary schools announce autumn open mornings
Families choosing a Reception place for September 2027 can now book local school visits. St Mary Cray Primary Academy's first open morning is at 10am on Thursday 1 October, while Leesons Primary School opens at 10am on Monday 5 October and 1:30pm on Tuesday 13 October. Contact each school to reserve a place: see St Mary Cray's dates or see Leesons' dates.
Vote for your favourite independent café
Thank you to everyone who nominated a café for our Best Independent Café Award 2026. Voting is now open until 11.59pm on Sunday 20 September.
Dates For Your Diary
Saturday 10 October, 9:30am–1pm · booking required
Kindred Orpington nursery open day
Families can book a one-to-one visit to Kindred Nursery and Pre-School on Knoll Rise, meet the team and ask about settling in, meals and childcare funding. Book one free ticket per family. Book a nursery visit.
Monday 19 October, 11am–12:30pm · free
Fungi walk through Petts Wood
Local naturalist John Pelter leads a 90-minute walk looking for fungi in Petts Wood and Hawkwood. Meet at the woods entrance through the Hazelmere Road underpass; booking is not needed, supervised children are welcome and sturdy footwear is advised. See the fungi-walk details.
What's On
Thursday 17 September
Gentle dancing for seniors, 2pm–4pm · £7.50. Try easy, steady-paced dances designed to help mobility, balance and muscle tone at Orpington Liberal Club. No partner is needed and you can pay on the door. See the senior dance session.
Richard Grainger and Chris Parkinson at the folk club, 8pm · £8 cash. Singer-songwriter Richard Grainger brings original, traditional and maritime songs to Orpington Folk Club, accompanied by accordionist Chris Parkinson. The guest night is at Farnborough Social Club, 6 Pleasant View Place; the venue and event are cash only. See the folk-club programme.
Saturday 19 September
Sensory storytime at Orpington Library, 10am–11am · free, booking required. Children aged four to seven, including children with additional needs, can enjoy sensory stories with a parent or carer at Orpington Library. Places are limited; each ticket covers one adult and one child. Book sensory storytime.
Christ Lutheran Church opens its doors, 10am–3pm · free. Visit Christ Lutheran Church on Poverest Road, a rarely opened example of late-modernist church design from 1966. The Open House programme includes a short talk about the building at 11am, repeated at 2pm; the talks require booking. See the Open House listing.
Open studios and historical tours at the Priory, 11am–5pm · free. Explore the Priory and Old Library's long history and see work in its artists' studios. The Priory's ground floor has ramped access; the accessible toilet is reached from the Old Library's street ramp. Check access and travel details.
Roadworks and Transport
Avalon Road and Gillmans Road remain closed: Gas works keep Avalon Road closed through Monday 12 October and Gillmans Road closed through Thursday 15 October.
The Landway closure continues into October: The Landway is scheduled to stay closed through Monday 5 October during gas-network work.
Charmwood Lane closes from Monday: Council roadworks are scheduled to close Charmwood Lane from 8am on Monday 21 September until 5pm on Tuesday 22 September.
Planning Watch
Two-storey extension proposed on Lewing Close: Plans for 3 Lewing Close include demolishing the conservatory, building a part one- and two-storey side and rear extension, converting the garage and altering the outside of the house. The application was received on Friday 11 September and is marked valid. View application 26/03570/HPA.
Garden outbuilding proposed on Dale Wood Road: An outbuilding is proposed in the rear garden of 19 Dale Wood Road. The application was received on Thursday 10 September and is marked valid. View application 26/03549/HPA.