The memorial designed by a Lib Dem councillor and the nearby garden once owned by the Church of England
As usual, things in Carshalton have an interesting backstory. First, a little about the original War Memorial pictured above. It was designed by Sidney Tatchell FRIBA and Edward Bouchier FRIBA (Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects), and constructed by a company called A Burslem & Son. On 13th March 1921 the stone monument […]
Two All Saints churches next to each other in one old photo
*Historical* This fascinating old picture clearly depicts two All Saints churches next to each other – the old and the new. It’s dated 1904 on the back. On the right is the Norman Church just before further demolition – this area is where the original church organ once was. On the left is the Victorian […]
Historic water pump hidden in plain sight at Pound Street in Carshalton
Built by a Quaker family business founded in 1778, this cast iron pump provided running water for the residents of Carshalton from around the mid-1800s. On it is the inscription J Tylor and Sons Newgate Street EC. Installed in Pound Street this ‘pitcher pump’ would draw fresh Spring water from the ground, using a hand-operated […]
From Beating the Bounds to Straw Jack: 13 weird and wonderful local rituals, customs and long-lost events…
Customs and traditions define an area and are a link to our history. Some of these rituals still happen and others are currently having a break. From Straw Jack to the Carshalton Carnival – this ordinary London suburb has a surprising amount of heritage. Without further ado let’s begin in the 19th century… Beating the […]
Rare photo of a Porter on the platform at Carshalton Railway Station in the 1920s enhanced by AI
As you rush to catch a train, spare a moment to remember the nostalgic days of railway porters and steam trains. Carshalton would have had a head porter, assistant porter, junior porter, ticket collector and more. Their duties would include helping passengers, keeping the station clean and tidy, and stoking the waiting room fires in […]
Inside the cramped Spring Head that’s the most westerly source of the River Wandle
Secret Carshalton was invited to crawl through a Wandle Spring Head. It’s on private land owned by the Sisters of The Cross of Liège, and maintained by the Friends of Carshalton Water Tower. An area better known as the grounds of St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls. Having grappled with the rusty lock (thanks […]
Move over Lavender – we uncover the long lost industry that gave Carshalton its name
In the same way that the chalky soil has made Carshalton perfect for growing Lavender, the abundance of spring water also made the area particularly suited to growing watercress. Yes, this simple plant was once grown extensively across the chalky basin of the north downs. People couldn’t get enough of it. Watercress was popular because […]
Step inside Carshalton’s oldest building – in continuous use for 900 years
All Saints Church with its commanding view of the ponds, is undoubtedly the place with the richest history in all of Carshalton. But what are the very oldest parts of the building? You’re going to find out… We’re investigating the remaining parts of the original church that date way back to the early 1100s. The […]
The origins of Carshalton’s largest commercial High Street building
It’s interesting to note that the investors who created one of the largest buildings in Carshalton village, can most likely be attributed to the South Suburban Co-operative Society Ltd. They are now simply known as the Co-Op but at this time were formed by merging with the Croydon Co-operative (and others) in 1918. When the […]