It was famed for its clean air and the healing chalybeat waters of St Blaise's Well, resulting in many wealthy people being moved to build new homes on this part of the common, creating the town's first suburb.

Typical of the larger houses that developed along Bromley Common following the 1826 enclosure, this building was originally a block of three. The south wing was demolished in the 1930s to allow the new Five Bells pub to be built.

Bromley was a fashionable location in the 1820s, home of James Scott, the famous surgeon, who attracted patients from miles around.