Local history

The Archives and Local Studies Centre on the second floor of Sutton Central Library is the first place to contact or visit if you are interested in local history. Go to their home page http://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1883

The Archives and Local Studies Centre can be contacted:

By Post: Archives and Local Studies Centre,Second Floor, Central Library, St Nicholas Way Sutton, Surrey SM1 1EA


By Telephone:: (020) 8770 4747, fax: (020) 8770 4777

By email: local.studies@sutton.gov.uk

Opening hours:

Tues, Wed & Fri 10am - 6pm; Thurs 10am-8pm; Saturday 9am - 5pm; Sunday 2pm - 5pm

Closed Mondays

Beddington

Information about historic buildings in Beddington.

Carshalton

A look at the history and attractions in Carshalton and its surroundings

Cheam

A history of the village of Cheam and information about its main attractions

The St. Helier Estate

This started as a 'London overspill' estate, for the rehousing of people from decaying inner London areas, and was built between 1928 and 1936, the main building work being apparently done between early 1929 and the end of 1934. It was built by C.J. Wills and Sons for the London County Council, who had acquired for the purpose 825 acres which had been farmland, both arable and pasture. Much of this land had, in fact, been used for the local lavender and herb industry, to which the estate was more or less a final death blow.

Sutton

Historic information about Sutton

Wallington

Some information on the history and interesting buildings in the Wallington area

Worcester Park

Worcester Park is partly built on on the north-east corner of Nonsuch Great Park.

Interesing People from Sutton

This section is devoted to interesting local people. It is in the early stages of development and more short biographies will be added.

Romans

Before the Romans came, Surrey was probably something of a backwater. London did not exist and the local area was probably a boundary area between tribal territories.

The Tudor Period

The Tudor period between the accession of Henry VIII in 1485, and the death of Elizabeth I in 1603, is often thought of as a time of great change.

Victorians

This page is intended to help you locate information about the Victorian period on the Heritage Service web pages.

The Population

There are no reliable local population figures before the first national census, which took place in 1801.

Wandle

The Wandle at Bennetts Hole, a short distance above Mitcham Bridge. This is one of the few places where the river is probably flowing in a natural channel. Most sections have been altered to create gardens, sites for mills, etc.

Lavender

Lavender and Herbs must have been grown locally on small scale for centuries. Large scale cultivation seems to have started in Mitcham in the 1700s.

Watercress

Watercress grows naturally in the river Wandle. In the middle ages there was a stream in Carshalton called the Cress Brook - perhaps the section of river which flows from the springs in the village down to Hackbridge where it joins the Beddington branch.

Croydon Airport

The history of Croydon Airport