Carshalton

To the south of the area now known as Carshalton, remains of artefacts dating from the Neolithic to the Iron Age have been found, suggesting that this was an early place of habitation.^[3] Prior to the Norman Conquest it is recorded that there were five manors in this location owned by five freemen.^[4]

The village lay within the Anglo-Saxon administrative division of Wallington hundred.

Carshalton appears in Domesday Book as Aultone. It was held by Goisfrid (Geoffrey) de Mandeville. Its domesday assets were: 3½ hides; 1 church, 10 ploughs, 1 mill worth £1 15s 0d, 22 acres (89,000 m²) of meadow, woodland worth 2 hogs. It rendered £15 10s 0d.^[5]

Carshalton was known for its springs; these may have given the place its name Cars - Aul - ton. Aul means well or spring. A ton is a farm which was in some way enclosed. The meaning of the Cars element is uncertain but early spellings (Kersaulton and Cresaulton) may indicate connection with a cross or perhaps cress, watercress having been grown locally.

In his book History of the Worthies of England, the 17th century historian Thomas Fuller refers to Carshalton for its walnuts and trout.

Land was primarily put to arable use and the river Wandle gave rise to manufacturing using water power. A water mill to grind corn was mentioned in the Domesday Book. By the end of the 18th century it was recorded that there were several mills for the production of paper and parchment, leather, snuff, log-wood and seed oil. There were also bleaching grounds for calico.^[4][6] During the Victorian era and into the early 20th century, Carshalton was known for its lavender fields,^[7] but the increasing land demand for residential building put an end to commercial growing.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists 78 civilian casualties in Carshalton during World War II.

From 1894 to 1965 Carshalton formed part of the Carshalton Urban District.^[8]

Central Carshalton, around the ponds and High Street, retains a village character, although the busy A232 runs through the area. There are a number of buildings and open spaces protected by the Carshalton Village Conservation Area.^[9]

Carshalton-on-the-Hill is the residential area on the high chalk upland ground to the south of Carshalton Park around Boundary Road, Stanley Road and Stanley Park Road and stretching out towards the smallholdings of Little Woodcote.

Carshalton Beeches is the area to the west of Carshalton-on-the-Hill, around Beeches Avenue, Banstead Road and Woodmansterne Road. It grew up around the railway station which was named after Beeches Avenue, a street near to its location; which, in turn, is named after the beech trees which line it.

The Wrythe, or Wrythe Green, lies between Carshalton village to the south and St Helier to the north-west. Its name is thought to derive from the rye that was once grown in this area, or from the Anglo-Saxon word rithe which means a small stream.^[6] During the time of the Roman occupation of the British Isles, a small spring was situated near the green, now shadowed by a BP garage. Roman activity in the area is confirmed by the fact that there was once a Roman Villa built in Beddington, just a couple of miles away, and a number of roads in the vicinity of Roman origin. The spring has since disappeared under ground and the culvert it feeds flows into the Wandle near Hackbridge.

The parish church of All Saints^[10] overlooks Carshalton Ponds. A church has stood on this site since at least Norman times and probably much longer. The current church contains 12th century work but has been much extended over the centuries; most dramatically in 1891 when a new nave and north aisle were added.^[11]

Just outside the churchyard wall is a spring locally known as "Anne Boleyn's Well". It is popularly said to have received this name because it appeared when Anne Boleyn's horse kicked a stone and a spring of water appeared.

Another possible explanation is that the name is a corruption of "Boulogne". The Counts of Boulogne owned land here in the 12th century and there may have been a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Boulogne near the well^{[citation needed]}.

The water tower was built in the early 18th century primarily to house a water driven pump supplying water to Carshalton House (now St Philomena's School) and its gardens. It was planned as a multi-purpose building, however, and also contains an orangery, a saloon and a bathroom which retains original Delft tiles.^[12]

Two historic lavender fields. One at Oaks Way, Carshalton Beeches: A not-for-profit community project that manages 3 acres of lavender. Plus a 25-acre commercial site in Croydon Lane, popular with tourists. This area was once famous as “the lavender capital of the world”. From the 18th to the early 20th centuries the North Downs of Surrey, with its chalky free-draining soil, ideal for lavender growing, were at the centre of worldwide production of lavender. Blue fields could be seen all over Mitcham, Croydon, Wallington, Banstead, Carshalton and Sutton. ^[13] http://www.treklens.com/gallery/photo530066.htm

Little Holland House in Carshalton Beeches was the home of the artist Frank Dickinson (1874–1961). Dickinson's Arts and Crafts style interior was influenced by John Ruskin and William Morris. The house contains many of his art works. It is now occasionally open to members of the public.^[14]

Honeywood is a large house at the western end of Carshalton Ponds. At its earliest it dates from the 17th century but has been much extended and restored, particularly in the period 1896 to 1903 when a large Edwardian wing was added to the south side.^[15]. It now houses the London Borough of Sutton's Museum and has a local history collection, including objects that date back to the Bronze Age.

The museum has recently been refurbished, reopening in May 2012 with enhanced features.

The late 19th century bakehouse in Oaks Park is all that remains of "The Oaks" mansion which burned down and was demolished in the 1950s. The original bread oven remains in situ. Blocks of burnt bricks from the ruins of the great house were used by local builders to construct garden walls for houses all along Woodmansterne Road, and may still be seen today^[16].

The Orangery in The Square was built in the second half of the 18th century in Carshalton Park (the section of which between here and Ruskin Road has since been built over). It is now used for commercial office space.

Constructed in 1685, Strawberry Lodge is one of Carshalton's oldest buildings. It was built by Josias Dewye^[17] who was described in records at the time as a 'clothworker and citizen of London'. In the late 17th century Josias moved from Chilworth to Carshalton to run a Gunpowder Mill on the River Wandle and decided to make his home nearby at the lodge.

Located on the corner of Strawberry Lane and Mill Lane, Strawberry Lodge is owned by Carshalton Baptist Church.^[18] Besides being a place of worship it is also used during the week as a conference and training centre. During the 1990s the site was renovated by the Baptist Church supported by the London Borough of Sutton.

In common with the London Borough of Sutton as a whole, Carshalton has many green spaces with three main public parks of note.

The present day Carshalton Park is much reduced from its original size but still offers features of historical significance.

Grove Park, closest to the village, is the best example of a Victorian park in the Borough.

Oaks Park is a large park landscaped in a naturalistic style, providing downland walks.

Carshalton has two railway stations: Carshalton and Carshalton Beeches. From 1847 to the opening of the current Carshalton in 1868 Wallington railway station was named Carshalton. Trains run from the current Carshalton to Victoria (in around 25 minutes), London Bridge and Thameslink stations including Blackfriars, Farringdon and Kings Cross St Pancras. The closest London Underground station is Morden, which is a 12-21 minute journey from Carshalton High Street by 157 bus.^[19] Bus services 127, 407, 627, and X26 also serve the High Street. Bus service 154 serves Carshalton Beeches Station with links to Morden and West Croydon.

Carshalton has two football clubs: Carshalton Athletic F.C. (home ground at The War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue) and Carshalton FC (at Beddington Park). At the Westcroft Leisure Centre in Grove Park, Carshalton, there are health and fitness facilities including two swimming pools one being a teaching pool, sports hall, two others halls, squash court and fitness centre. There is also a children's play area called Kid's Kingdom.

Annual events include the Carshalton Fireworks^[20] a charity fireworks display at Carshalton Park on the Saturday nearest to Guy Fawkes Night, a summer carnival on the second Saturday of June, a beer festival over the first Bank Holiday weekend in May, the Environmental Fair also held in Carshalton Park on the August Bank Holiday Monday.^[21] and Carshalton Charter fair held in September.^[22]

There are frequent theatrical and musical productions at The Charles Cryer Studio Theatre, which is situated on the High Street.

The Ecology Centre and Honeywood Museum^[23] also hold regular events and meetings.

The Methodist hall in Ruskin Road is home to the Ruskin Players and the Carshalton Choral Society, both of which perform at regular intervals throughout the year.

The annual Carshalton Lavender harvest weekend is held in July, at Stanley Park Allotments, Carshalton-on-the-Hill.^[24]

• St Philomena's School^[25] (Catholic Girls' High School)
• Carshalton High School for Girls^[26]
• Carshalton Boys Sports College^[27] (renamed from Carshalton High School for Boys)
• Stanley Park High School^[28]
• Carshalton College^[29]

• See the London Borough of Sutton and List of schools in Sutton articles for details of education in the whole borough.

• See the London Borough of Sutton article for notable individuals in the whole borough.'

• Map of area from Streetmap
• Carshalton Water Tower
• Carshalton Mums
• The Friends of Honeywood Museum
• All Saints Church
• Strawberry Lodge
• Carshalton College
• Carshalton Athletic FC
• Carshalton Football Club
• Carshalton Lavender