The 300 year old outbuilding that was an orangery for a palace never built
*Historical* This wonderful 300 year old orangery in the heart of Carshalton, was an outbuilding for a grand palace that was never built. An orangery was a place to grow exotic fruit trees. The huge main house was planned for Carshalton Park. Paid for by Sir Thomas Scawen and designed by Venician-born architect […]
🎥 Video: A Brief History of the Grade II listed The Cock sign in Sutton
*Video Story* A brief look at the heritage of the iconic Cock sign in Sutton High Street. This short movie is best viewed on the Secret Carshalton YouTube channel. Please subscribe.
The first Coat of Arms to feature a full Aeroplane motif in the UK
The country’s first civic Coat of Arms to display a full aeroplane can still be viewed on the front of the old town hall in Woodcote Road, Wallington. But why is there an aeroplane on it? This refers to the presence of Croydon Aerodrome, London’s first major airport, in the east of the Borough. Beddington […]
Sutton’s long-lost 2,390 seat music venue demolished in 1979
*Historical* It’s surprising how many entertainment venues were once in central Sutton, so to start here’s a look at one of the biggest… This venue in Carshalton Road played host in person to Hollywood legends Laurel and Hardy (programme pictured from 1952), comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, Rod Stewart and The Faces (1973), Cliff Richard […]
Carshalton’s very own Coat of Arms – explained in our QUICK Interactive Guide
Our Coat of Arms were granted by the College of Arms on 14 May 1952 for Carshalton Urban District Council. It features illustrations representing prominent parts of Carshalton history The coat of arms fell into disuse in 1965 when the London Borough of Sutton was formed. Click any of the black buttons to find out […]
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 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 […]