Description
All Saints is a large and prominently positioned church at the foot of Angel Hill, which forms a landmark in this area. The parish of Benhilton was created in 1863 to serve the growing population of Sutton. The land and a sum of money was donated by Thomas Alcock, Lord of the Manor, who was developing his land to the east for upper class housing. All Saints' Churchyard surrounds the church, and is now closed to burials. There are a number of historically significant tombs in the churchyard, which is well planted with trees, and has yews along the path to the north porch.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Benhilton Parish Church |
|---|---|
| Site location | All Saints Road, Benhilton |
| Postcode | SM1 3DA |
| What3Words | ///super.called.lion |
| Type of Site | Churchyard |
| Borough | Sutton |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail: Sutton Common. Bus 151, 154, 164, 280. |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The parish of Benhilton was created in 1863 when the expansion of the local population in Sutton necessitated a separate church. The foundation stone of the new church, which was designed by architect S.S. Teulon, was laid in the same year. Thomas Alcock, Lord of the Manor, gave £18,000 towards the building, together with the land for the church, vicarage and a school. The church was undoubtedly intended to be a key amenity for Benhilton Estate, an area of upper class housing that Alcock was developing to the east. All Saints' Church was badly damaged in WWII but it was later restored.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ258652 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Church of England |
| Site Management | LB Sutton Parks Service |
| Dates | 1863-66 |
| Listed Structures | LBII*: All Saints Church |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Sutton |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Local Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Site of Wildlife Value |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Sutton Green was originally the northern tip of Sutton Common, which was left as open space when the Common was enclosed in the early C19th. The 1815 Inclosure map called the site a play area. In 1867 the site was called ‘The Green' and is shown with the pond at the south end. This was named Victoria Pond and had a weeping willow planted on its island to commemorate Queen Victoria's Coronation in 1837.
Sutton Garden Suburb was one of a number of garden suburbs set up by partnership organisations inspired by early developments such as Hampstead Garden Suburb, the Garden City movement and the pioneering town planning of Parker and Unwin. It was designed by Frederick Cavendish Pearson for Rose Hill Park Limited, which sold out its rights in 1913 to Sutton Garden Suburb Limited. Only a small part of the planned garden suburb was completed although there was some later infilling from the 1930s onwards. The internal space was formerly used as allotments but later fell into disuse.
Collingwood Recreation Ground is open grassland with trees along the perimeter. The 1st edition OS Map of 1867 shows the site as a series of fields between Gander Green Lane and Balaam Lane, which later became Collingwood Road. The present boundary of the site to the allotments to the north represents a former field boundary.