A brief history of the Royal Marsden hospital in Sutton opened by Queen Elizabeth II
This was most likely the only visit by Queen Elizabeth II to the London Borough of Sutton. On the left of the Queen is Professor David Smithers. He was an eminent radiologist and was responsible for acquiring what was the old Downs Hospital site. With the medical physicist Val Mayneord, he conceived the idea of a […]
Carshalton’s Grade 2 purpose-built council offices used for less than 20 years
This ornate building in Carshalton Square was completed in 1908 and funded by the Carshalton Urban District Council, which had formed back in 1894. The area was once the grounds of All Saints Church, and close to the site of the long-since demolished Deer-keepers Lodge – being a stone’s throw from the old boundary of […]
The Beautiful and Touching Air Forces Memorial and the Magna Carta site
*Walks* This 5-mile circular walk is about 50 minutes drive* from Carshalton and it takes in this incredible memorial. If you have an interest in history, especially military history, this place is a must-visit. It’s free to enter and you can take a short climb to the top of this hilltop monument to survey the […]
The almost entirely intact Sainsbury’s store in Cheam that’s now a Pizzeria
*Historical* Over the border now to Cheam. This is a place you can visit anytime for a fascinating glimpse into the past. This was the location of one of the UK’s first Sainsbury’s grocery stores, set up at the turn of the last century. Staff would serve the customer from various departments situated around the […]
10 incredible facts you never knew about Carew
Carew Manor is a large and grand brick-fronted mansion situated in Beddington Park. Its long and varied history dates back at least 700 years, to the time when it was home to the influential Carew family. We’ve collected some entertaining facts and figures about Beddington’s fascinating listed building. Some of which you may have not […]
A brief chronology of Carew Manor from 1352 to present day
If you’re confused by the timeline of Carew Manor, that’s not surprising. It’s been rebuilt or remodelled at least 6 times. Here’s a quick look inside and out at Carew Manor in Beddington Park. A brief timeline of events, and the various buildings that make up the current area. It was home to the powerful […]
See Britain’s smallest working windmill just 25 minutes from Carshalton
*Local Walks* This incredible oddity is the only remaining wind-powered sawmill in the UK – and it’s just 25 minutes from Carshalton. An unusually small windmill, built around 1860, there were only ever around 15 – 20 recorded across Britain. This interesting feature is situated in the back garden of a house in Buckland village. […]
Who is the mystery character that shows up in so many old Carshalton photos?
Weird. There is a mystery man that shows up in all the old Carshalton photos. Have you spotted him? Who can he be? He wears a Boater hat and is always there in the centre of the photo, posing for all to see. Perhaps he’s a friend of the photographer who’s been busily taking snaps […]
Wayne Spiller shares his inspiration behind Sassis in the Grove coffee shop
*People* Arguably Carshalton’s most scenic coffee shop, we stopped off to chat with owner Wayne and find out why the cafe in The Grove park is called Sassis. What does it even mean? Well, let’s find out. Coffee-aficionado Wayne trained as an electrician, but at the young age of just 20, his passion for coffee […]