Grand Wallington house once owned by Pre-Raphaelite artist Arthur Hughes
*Historical* Hard to believe this is the only one of Wallington’s large houses to survive intact. This is Wandle Bank. The present building dates from the early 1700s though there’s thought to have been a house on this site for much longer. It was once owned by the Pre-Raphaelite painter Arthur Hughes (pictured here aged […]
The River Wandle helped fund this large georgian house in Wallington
This imposing 3-storey home in Wallington, is at 282 London Road next to Wallington Bridge. It sits alongside the River Wandle. The Wandle helped pay for its construction. Bridge House was mentioned in 1789. “a handsome house built with grey stock-bricks… This house was built a few years ago by Mr.Newton of Merton Abbey. It […]
Ornate tiles from long-lost shops across Sutton
We’re collecting together in one post, our favourite old shop tiles from across the borough of Sutton, including Carshalton, Wallington and Cheam. We will be updating this with new information as we receive it. Come on a journey with us along miles of tiles… Flowers and bathrooms in Carshalton Firstly, some beautiful old shop tiles […]
Artistic pamphlet produced when Little Holland House was first Grade II listed
Secret Carshalton recently came across some old publications related to Carshalton and this book caught our eye. Frank R Dickinson (1874 – 1961) lived at 40 Beeches Avenue in Carshalton Beeches and built and designed virtually everything to do with the house – all in an Arts and Crafts style. The house was purchased by […]
The oldest active clubs in Sutton – going strong for 70 years or more
Countless chairpersons and leaders have kept these groups active, spanning several generations – and incredibly they’re still going strong today. Across the borough, organisations like these are the beating heart of our communities. This is their age as of 2025 – and all are over 70 years old. So in reverse order, let’s go… […]
The mysterious tudor wall hidden inside a Sutton shop
This is part of an historic preserved wall that’s over 500 years old and can be found hidden behind some carpets in Sutton High Street. This structure forms the party wall between Boots Chemist and Tapi Carpets (formerly Clarks shoes) at 101 – 103 High Street. It is unclear what type of building the […]
🎥 Video: Wow! More old photos rendered by AI – providing staggering results
When it comes to image processing, AI is a powerful tool. Whether we like it or not, it’s here to stay. The results when converting old static images is truly staggering. Yes it’s not perfect, but it certainly goes some way to recreating what life was like many years ago. Scroll down to see some […]
Famous therapy cat who died at Hackbridge Kennels in 1949 was awarded rare military medal
This brave black and white cat served for the Royal Navy on HMS Amethyst in 1949, and enjoyed his final days in the comfort of Hackbridge Kennels and Cattery. Simon has the honour of being the ONLY CAT to have ever received the Dickin Medal, which says: “For Gallantry. We also serve” This is the […]
Europe’s biggest camera distributor developed Carshalton
“Roll up, roll up, get yourself the latest camera! There’s a camera especially for you madam, a camera for you sir and even a special camera for young people” – That’s how one Victorian salesman may have plied his trade, and it paid for the development of an historic Carshalton landmark – Honeywood house. Here’s the story […]