[1] In 1066, Swanley only consisted of a few cattle farms, surrounded in oak, sycamore and ash (Fraxinus) woodland.

After the Norman Conquest, these portions of land were turned into manors, which were then often divided among the monks at Ghent Abbey and Bermondsey.

[4] The Kettlewell stood on the site of Asda's car park and was for poor patients from London who needed to recuperate after major surgery.

The Parkwood hospital was similarly used and White Oak was originally for children with eye diseases.

Currently, the gates of White Oak can still be seen opposite Swanley Police Station in London Road, the Roman Catholic Church in Bartholomew Way is on the site of Kettlewell's chapel and Parkwood still exists in its entirety in Beechenlea Lane as Parkwood Hall School (a residential and day school).

Within Kent, Swanley is adjacent to the parishes of Wilmington and Hextable to the north, Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley and Farningham to the east, and Eynsford and Crockenhill to the south.

It keeps administrative and some traditional links with Sevenoaks and Kent but it is heavily associated with south east London due to the expansion of that area close to Swanley's borders.

Ryan Hayman is Swanley's CEO having been appointed in 2020 [9] Local business sponsor the floral displays, while the Town Council maintains the grass verges and open spaces.

It was previously New Barn Farm until various fields and orchards were bought by the Town Council to protect the green belt between Hextable and Swanley.

The town council has maintained old hedgerows and trees around the outside of the park and has created allotments and an environment area that is now managed by local volunteers.

The park is home to Swanley Athletics Club and hosts a number of county cross country races and other events each year.

Around one of the large fields is Swanley New Barn Model railway (running on 800 metres of track) operated by a group of volunteers throughout the summer.

A classical music and firework event – formerly called the '1812 Night' until the Russian invasion of Ukraine – is held on the Friday before the August bank holiday.

Other schools are located in the nearby towns of Sidcup, Dartford and Orpington within 5 miles of Swanley.

Other radio stations including Heart South, Gold and KMFM West Kent.

is a FA Charter Standard (Hextable/Swanley) community-based junior football club that play at Downsview Primary School.

Swanley Sub Aqua Club meets at the White Oak swimming pool on Monday nights.

[22] Sidcup and District Motor Cycle Club owns the Canada Heights international motocross circuit at Button Street, Swanley.

At the time of writing they have achieved 3 promotions in 3 years, most recently winning Metropolitan Kent 4.