Cheam Park and Cheam Recreation Ground

Bethell House and The Gas Mask Factory

Cheam Park & Cheam Recreation GroundCheamParksummer07a

Originally the grounds of Cheam Park House built in the 19th Century and known locally as Bethell House after the family that lived there until 1937, Cheam Park was bought by the council and used as a factory to assemble Gas Masks between 1939 and 1940, it was also used as a first aid station and a wardens post. The house suffered a large amount of damage after being hit by a flying bomb during the second world war. Shortly after which, the building was demolished.

The lodge house, which still stands by the entrance from Cheam Village high street (along ? walk) is protected as a Grade II listed building and there has been a number of plans to make use of the building over the years, none of which have been carried out yet.

Other Noteworthy Historical Finding

  • Mrs Bethell purchased Cheam Park House for £10,000 on 18th February 1920.
  • Sutton council purchased the land for £25,000 on 20th March 1937.
  • The contract for the sale of the park was adamant on one point, that the council would undertake the care management of the entire park & buildings as long as it was used as an open space for the use of the public for-ever.

 Facilities

  • Bowls x1
  • Little League Pitches x1
  • Senior Pitches x1
  • Mini Pitches x1
  • Cricket Field x1
  • Tennis Courts x4
  • Cafe x4
  • Playground x1
  • Pavilion x1
  • Changing Rooms x1
  • Shower/W C x1
  • Allotment Plots

How To Get To Cheam Park

  • By Bus: 151 213 X26 470
  • By Bike: Sutton cycle network - north to south on east side of park and west to east on south side of park
  • By Train: Cheam Station (5 min walk through Cheam Village)
  • By Car: Access through Tudor Drive (SM4) Off B279

Accessibility: Car park accessed through Tudor Drive, disabled bays available.

Address: Cheam Recreation Ground, Tudor Close, Cheam, Surrey, SM4.