Location of the volunteer fire service set up in 1867 and local wheelwright and Firefighter Tom Preen
*Historical* You probably would have driven past this nondescript building many times, shown on the left of the photo above. It’s situated on the mini-roundabout in Pound Street at the end of West Street. You can just make out the lamp of the old fire station on the left side, of the early 1900s photo […]
Does this finally solve the mystery of the Frying Pan in Carshalton Park
Some have suggested it was a bowling green, others a large pond, or perhaps signs of an alien landing. However, with the help of the pictures below, perhaps it can all be attributed to a large mansion house – but one that was never built. Let me tell you more… Landowner and lord of the […]
Forgotten home of Carshalton’s RICHEST man demolished over 200 years ago
*Historical* Stone Court was owned and lived in by the Lord of the Manor of Carshalton, who had planned to build a far grander country home in nearby Carshalton Park. However Thomas Scawen squandered much of his cash and never finished his new home, and Stone Court was eventually sold off to pay debts… Thomas […]
The short-lived Grange building that once stood in Beddington Park
The current Grange restaurant, below, is designed in a traditional style loosely based on the original late 19th century house (circa 1880) that once stood here and sadly burnt down in January 1960. However, in 1967, a few years after the old house burnt down, a modernist style building was chosen to replace it (top […]
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 […]
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 […]
The long lost bridge of Wilderness Island
*Historical* Wilderness Island is nature reserve situated in Mill Lane by Butter Hill Bridge and it’s run by the London Wildlife Trust. The island once had a Victorian woodland garden, reached via the ornate white bridge, pictured above. You can still see remains of the old footbridge on both sides of the River Wandle. Everything […]