Islands in the stream

People don’t usually think of Carshalton and Beddington as places with islands. But follow the River Wandle and its ponds, channels and lakes and you’ll find a surprising number of them. Some were created by the river, others by people diverting water to power mills or shaping the landscape. This isn’t an exhaustive list — […]

Does this finally solve the mystery of that big hole in Carshalton Park?

*Historical* One of the uses for the Hog Pit in Carshalton Park was to provide water for the long-lost mill situated in Carshalton High Street. A recent view showing two of our wonderful Carshalton pubs, which almost stand next to each other. Between them is where the ‘High Street Mill’ once stood. Over many years […]

“The vogue for jazz bands gave a new lease of life to my business”

That was according to John Boughton who once occupied the old snuff mill by the bridge at Butter Hill on the border of Wallington and Carshalton. He was speaking to Robert Thurston Hopkins, a ghost hunter and writer who visited Carshalton in 1930. R Thurston Hopkins (1884–1958) had written a book called “Old English Mills […]

Hackbridge watermill extinguishes the Great Fire of London!

fire

Yes, our local area seems to have a link to so many significant historical events. This time, step up Josias Dewey. Mr Dewey was a very successful maker of gunpowder. Before then, it’s amazing how many people were creating gunpowder that never actually went bang. Josias spent at least 40 years in the area developing […]

The incredible 1000-year timeline of Carshalton’s miniature Upper Mill

mill pope

The site of this unassuming little building is a source of so much local history pertinent to the local area. Going back nearly 1,000 years, the mill has been rebuilt and adapted a lot throughout that time. Although the current mill building is relatively recent it still provides a reminder of the long and industrious […]