7 Places to discover during an afternoon stroll around Carshalton village
If you had just one afternoon to enjoy a quick taste of Carshalton village, then here’s 7 great places you really should go and sample. Arrive at Carshalton Station (A), not to be confused with Carshalton Beeches station, or park in the High Street car park (B). Or even consider a 127, 157, 407, 627, […]
The historic Deepdene Trail in Dorking
This is the beautiful Deepdene Trail in Dorking featuring panoramic views and remnants of historic Italian style mid-17th century gardens. It’s about 15 minutes walk from Dorking Station, or 30 minutes by car from Carshalton. We parked at Dorking Halls and walked up the road to the start of the free walk. The big old […]
Tilgate Nature Centre with over 100 Different Species
Looking for somewhere to take the kids? With an entrance fee of just £7, it’s great for both kids and adults who love animals – there’s over 100 species. Tilgate Nature Centre is a fairly large ‘zoo’ on a picturesque hillside setting. There’s a good quality cafe nearby in the walled garden, and toilets of […]
A tale of two Swans: uncovering the lost pubs of West Street
Here’s the Swan Inn, that closed around 1908, and was located on the corner of Old Swan Yard. Further up the road is the Old Swan Ale House, which pre-dated this and ceased trading by 1867. Whether they were trading at the same time is unclear. Both buildings still exist, though altered. It’s common for […]
Headley Heath Trail of Wartime Spies and Overgrown Trenches
Buggy friendly: 2 / 5 Steepness: 4/5 Toilets: no This popular dog walkers paradise has a surprising history uncovered on this circular walk. Take a look at the indents in the soil, showing the position of trenches dug by Canadian forces training ahead of D-Day on 6 June 1944. Once they would have been at […]
First UK Black Swans imported from Australia to Hackbridge in 1851
*Historical* This majestic black swan could once have been spotted around Carshalton ponds, and gives it name to Hackbridge morris dancing group, Black Swan Border Morris. This is the story of Hackbridge landowner Sam Gurney MP. A bird lover, he imported some black swans from Australia in 1851 – one of the first people in […]
Hidden Building at Sutton Ecology Centre that used to be a Chapel
This mini historical fact is, as Sandi Toksvig might say, quite interesting. If you find yourself wandering around Sutton Ecology Centre in Carshalton you’ll come across this little building. I’d thought about the windows in the past and considered the purpose of the place – and have just discovered it was once a Chapel. The […]
Grand house made from the Portland Stone that was destined for a Carshalton Park Mansion that was never built
*Historical* It’s an interesting area all around Westcroft Road in Carshalton, and here’s a closer look at Bramble Haw (or Bramblehaw). Not much remains of the old house. 🗝 The comparison picture above shows you where the entrance gates to Bramble Haw once stood. To the left through the entrance, in the grounds, the Wandle […]
Bushy Park and the Waterhouse Plantation
One of the regular places I like to visit is Bushy Park in Richmond, situated near to Hampton Court Palace. Do you go there too? A few quick facts about the Diana Fountain if you’re interested… 🗝 The stunning Diana Fountain was designed in 1637 by Hubert Le Sueur at the request of King Charles […]