Carshalton Heritage Walk

Honeywood Museum across Carshalton Ponds

 Saturday was another cold day, but at least it was bright, so I donned all my extra layers and took the bus to Carshalton. The bus is part of London's Superloop, and this one runs between Heathrow Airport and West Croydon. Being a fast service, it only stops at certain stops. The service is frequent and supercedes the X26, which ran the same route but only twice an hour. 

I had picked up the leaflet for the walk at the Honeywood Museum in Carshalton last year, so it was on my list to walk at some time. It takes about an hour, and some of the buildings I knew already, but I didn't know the history of them.

I began at the Honeywood Museum nestling over Carshalton Ponds and then walking down Festival Walk to view the Gate House to The Lodge. A tea merchant named Richard Gunter, built The Lodge in 1865. The Old Rectory is nearby (Grade II listed) and was built for Wiliam Hollier, vicar of Carshalton. At the end of the Festival Walk is the The Water Tower, another Grade II listed building, and was built in the grounds of Carshalton House ( now a school). As well as pumping water to the house, it also contains a splendid bathroom and plunge bath! The Water Tower is open to the public some Sundays.

The Lodge

The Water Tower

Walking back in the same direction, I passed Sutton Ecology Centre, which I visited last year, and the War Memorials, where a couple of herons were watching the world go by. From here I crossed the road and through a door in the wall, I entered Grove Park. There are the former outbuildings of Stone Court her and further down the path is The Upper Mill which originates from the 1780s. It contained two Portland Stone wheel pits to drive the corn mill. However, this was demolished in 1886 and has now been replaced by the chalet style wooden building which housed a water-powered electric generator to supply The Grove and Stonre Court.

War Menorial

Stone Court outbuildings

Upper Mill

Nearby the mill is the old weir which provided a head of water for the mill. The cascade was built in 1968.

The Weir

The Grove was built around 1829 and later extended and was leased to Rev. W.A.B. Cator, Rector of Carshalton. He later bought the house as well as Stone Court. The house is now being converted into apartments, hence the scaffolding and building works.

The Grove

The Apple Store dates from around 1900 and may have been the gardener's office. Grove Hall was built as a private bowling alley for Sir Samuel Barrow. It is now a nursery. A little further down by a wall are the mounting steps, just past the old stable block. This was for mounting horses, of course!

The Apple Store

Former Bowling Alley

Steps for mounting horses

Back onto the High Street, the old Fox and Hounds Public House is now in a sorry state, and I don't know what will happen to it. It was built in the mid-18th century. Next door is the Charles Cryer Theatre opened in 1991 and is housed in a building which was originally built in 1874 as a public hall for the village. The house next door dates from around 1884 was once owned by a local antiquarian.

The Fox and Hounds

Charles Cryer Theatre

Former home of local antiquitarian

The Grotto canal in Carshalton Place can be followed up through roads and into Carshalton Park. I did actually follow as far as I could. The last part of path was muddy, but I zoomed in with my mobile to get a photo. Maybe one day I will go and have a proper look.

Carshalton Place

Following the canal

Running under the road

Carshalton Park - The Grotto

There are several places of notable interest on the High Street and The Square. The walls of Carshalton Park ran along the side of The Square by The Orangery (built in the 18th century). The building opposite was the old Council Offices, and later used as a public library. 

High Street

Former Council Offices and library

The Orangery

A view of All Saints' Church

The Woodsman dates from at least the 16th century and was once a butcher's shop. I was lucky enough to go inside All Saints' Church a few years ago. It was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1086. The Engine House set into a wall by the road once housed a manually-operated fire engine with a water tank. The machine was horse-drawn.

The Woodsman

All Saints' Church

The Engine House

Another fascinating thing I found was Anne Boleyn's Well. The plaque states that a hoof of Anne's horse caused the spring (now dry) to rise! However, this is more likely to be connected to the Count of Boulogne. And of course, one has to make the most of these attractions because on a house almost overlooking the well is a statue of Anne Boleyn, which I'd never noticed before.

The walk ends at The Greyhound Hotel. This pub advertised in London newspapers (1700's) as a venue for cock fighting. The pub was  rebuilt around 1840.

The Greyhound Hotel

This was an interesting little walk, but Carshalton has much to offer and not too far from there is Beddington Park, another interesting place, as well as a Wildlife Trust Reserve. Carshalton is also part of the River Wandle Trail. In the summer there is nothing nicer than sitting by the ponds having over some refreshments from the cafe at the Honeywood Museum.