Beddington Park & The Grange

Carew Manor and Alfred Smee's Grange House

Beddington ParkCarew Manor
Carew Manor

Beddington Park was originally part of the Deer Park attached to Carew Manor, a grand country house built in the Tudor period. At one time, the park occupied most of the land between Mitcham Common, Beddington Lane, Croydon Road and London Road.

In the early part of the 18th Century, a long canal-like lake was created in front of where the manor stands and the avenue leading to Carew Manor was lined with trees, which still make a picturesque walk to this day.

The park is said to be one of the most rich historical and archaeological sites in Southwest London, with evidence of settlements dating back to the late Bronze Age and the discovery of a Roman Stone Coffin in 1930 confirms thoughts that a grand Roman Villa and Bath House once stood to the north side of the park.

Other noteworthy historical findings include:

  • A Saxon cemetery dating to around 400AD, discovered in the 19th Century.
  • Mention in the Domesday Book in 1086.
  • In 1978, 3 pennies and a half penny dating to the reign of William I were found to the south of the river.
  • Housing development began along Croydon Road in 1866, after the land was sold to one Joseph Atkins Borsley.
  • The land was acquired by the local authorities between 1904 and 1927.
  • The 1946 Ordinance Survey Map shows allotment plots marked out in the park for use in the 'Dig For Victory' campaign during WW2.

The Grange Beddington Park And The Grange Displays a larger version of this image in a new browser window
The Original Grange

Alfred Smee acquired The Grange around 1850 and it was his son, Alfred Hutchinson Smee, who erected the house c.1880.

In 1935, The Grange was sold to Beddington & Wallington Urban District Council for £57,500. The council turned the grounds into a park and used the house to hold wedding receptions, a clinic and a library; until it was destroyed by fire in 1960. The current house is a replica of the original.

Other noteworthy historical findings include:

  • Many of the trees planted by Alfred Smee survive to this day in the park.
  • The Grange Lake originated as a mill pond and the mill buildings stood at the western end of the pond near London Road.
  • Alfred Smee wrote a book, first published in 1872 to celebrate his love for The Grange gardens. It is aptly entitled 'My Garden'.

(MAP OF 'MY GARDEN' IMAGE)

Address

Croydon Road, Carshalton, Surrey, SM6 7LF. 

Facilities

  • Little league football pitches x3
  • Senior Football pitches x5
  • Mini Pitches x2
  • Tennis Courts x6
  • Ball court
  • Skate park
  • Changing Rooms & Toilets
  • Pavilion cafe
  • Indoor soft play
  • Playground

How to get to Beddington Park & The Grange:

  • By Bus: 407, 410, 463, X26 (Croydon Road) 151 (London Road) 455, 463 (Beddington Lane)
  • By Train: Hackbridge Station, walk out onto London Road and the park is 350m to the left
  • By Bike: Local Cycle Network, route 75, Croydon to Worcester Park
  • By Car: The park lies between the B272 Beddington Lane, the A232 Croydon Road and the A237 London Road

Accessibility  

Parking by Church Road paddock (to rear of Beddington Park Cottages, by playground and pavilion area.) Disabled bays can be found on the slip road by St. Mary's Church and by Beddington Park cafe.