Carshalton Park

Carshalton Park (coord|51|21.6954|N|0|9.6636|W|type:landmark) is a public park in Carshalton, in the London Borough of Sutton. It is situated south of the High Street, in the area bounded by Ruskin Road, Ashcombe Road, Woodstock Road and The Park. Carshalton Park and some of the surrounding houses, are within a conservation area.

History

The park today occupies an area of 9.28 hectares,cite web|title=Carshalton Park, London Borough of Sutton|url=http://www.sutton.gov.uk/leisure/parks/carshaltonpark.htm] which is about one tenth of its original size.cite web|title=Carshalton Park and the Grotto, London Borough of Sutton article|url=http://www.sutton.gov.uk/leisure/heritage/carshaltonpark.htm] It began to be sold off for housing development in 1892. The northern boundary previously extended as far as the High Street, with the Orangery building situated in The Square once being within the parkland.

There were deer in this park up until 1898. "The Book of Carshalton: At the Source of the Wandle", based on talks by Michael Wilks, published 2002. ISBN 1-84114-155-0] Plans in the early 18th century to build a new mansion, or palace, in the park involved the Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni who was chosen to design the building and carry out landscaping. Only the Orangery was built, although architectural drawings for the mansion were published. The gates made for the park in 1711 are now installed in the Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, New York. [cite web|title=History of Planting Fields|url=http://www.plantingfields.org/ourstory/history/LI1918.cfm]

Features of interest

"Hog Pit" pond

Hog Pit is directly in front of today's main north entrance to the park. The origin of this substantial earthwork is unknown cite web|title=Historic Environment, London Borough of Sutton report|url=http://www.sutton.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/B6C97475-F531-4919-BE48-ACD30F54F5BE/0/SCHEDULE21.pdf] but reference to Hoggpytte can be found in mediaeval records for the year 1444. It is recorded that in the late 18th century Hog Pit was used as a water reservoir for mill power.cite web|title=Carshalton High Street Mill, London Borough of Sutton article|url=http://www.sutton.gov.uk/leisure/heritage/carshmill.htm] Despite still often being called a pond, it is now dry and forms a simple amphitheatre.

The Grotto

The Grotto is situated in the south-east corner of the park. It was built in about 1724 as one of the first features of the ambitious designs for building and landscaping in the park. A canal, now dry, extends north from the grotto and continues into Carshalton Place. The structure is now in a state of disrepair and access into its interior is normally prevented by locked gates.

Bowling Green

Recreation

Carshalton Park has five tennis courts and a children's playground

Events

On the second Saturday in June the Carshalton carnival is held at the park. An environmental fair takes place on the August Bank Holiday Monday. [cite web|title=Carshalton Environmental Fair|url= http://www.ecolocal.org.uk/] On the first Saturday in November there is a fireworks display.

Transport

Three railway stations are within walking distance of Carshalton Park. They are, in order of proximity, Carshalton Beeches railway station, Wallington railway station and Carshalton railway station. Refer to the map below for directions.

ee also

* Grove Park
* Oaks Park

References

For more info about Carshalton Environmental Fair see http://www.ecolocal.org.uk

External links

* [http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=528250&Y=164250&A=Y&Z=1 Map of area from Streetmap]
* [http://www.focp.co.uk Friends of Carshalton Park]