Description
The site for Norbury Park was purchased by Croydon Corporation in 1935 on land formerly North Surrey Golf Course, which dated back to 1920. Prior to this the land had been fields, once owned by Pembroke College. In the park is a relatively rare circular cattle trough, which was relocated here after the closure of the Croydon Cattle Market and was the gift of H Pratter Esq. MD in 1882. The market had operated from 1844, originally in the yard of the Greyhound Hotel, and then from 1848-1935 on a substantial site in Selsdon Road.
Practical Information
| Site location | Norbury Avenue/Kensington Avenue/Heatherset Gardens/Green Lane, Norbury |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW16 3LX |
| What3Words | ///laptop.drives.really |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Croydon |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Playing fields, multi-games courts, changing rooms, toilets, children's playground |
| Public Transport | Rail: Norbury |
| Research Updated | 1 December 2006 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The site was purchased by Croydon Corporation from a local builder in 1935 on land formerly used for North Surrey Golf Course, which dated back to 1920. The land had been fields as shown on the Thomas Bainbridge map of 1800, which indicates the fields in the ownership of Pembroke College; the college's lease to the golf course expired on 25 December 1934. In 1955 it was decided to erect a school here and Norbury Manor Girls High School opened in 1958, now Norbury Park Business & Enterprise College of Girls. The 11.5 acres at the east end of the park had been used for temporary allotments, shown on the OS of 1954. Norbury Brook, a tributary of the Wandle, runs beside the park now fenced off and hidden but in the 1950s it still ran over ground. The park was not officially named Norbury Park until 1956 when the pavilion was constructed at a cost of £5,152. In 1969/70 the children's playground was added. In the park is a circular cattle trough, which represents the last remnant of Croydon Cattle Market. The market had operated from 1844, originally in the yard of the Greyhound Hotel, and then from 1848-1935 on a substantial site in Selsdon Road; when the market closed flats were built on its site. Circular cattle troughs are quite a rarity and this one was the gift of H Pratter Esq. MD in 1882 and was relocated to Norbury Park after the closure of the market. The street name, 'Drovers Road', also recalls the market.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ309700 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 11.53 |
| Site Ownership | LB Croydon |
| Site Management | Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1935; 1950s |
| 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 | Croydon |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Local Importance with Norbury Brooks |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Local Open Land |
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
Development of the Norbury area began after the arrival of the railway in 1878, and Nos. 2-8 St Helen's Road are among the oldest houses in Norbury. These houses and those of St Helen's Crescent and Norbury Crescent face onto this triangular green space, which acts as a focal point. There are mature plane trees around the perimeter, which is bordered by privet hedging, with a single path across the grass.
Norbury Hall was built in 1802 within the Manor of Norbury. The grounds comprised 30 acres of ornamental gardens with a large lake fed by the River Graveny. From the main entrance on London Road, a drive led through woodland to the house. In the C19th it was owned by James William Hobbs, Mayor of Croydon in 1887; it remained in his family until 1957. Hobbs had a private cricket field laid out in the grounds, now a private leisure club. Croydon Corporation acquired the estate in 1956. The Hall and 9 acres of gardens were fenced off for an old people's home, now privately run, and the grounds were taken over by the Council's Parks Department. The lake was dry by 1954, its site marked by a depression, but many mature trees remain in the public park.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Norwood Grove was once within Great Streatham Common, partly enclosed in 1635 by the Duke of Portland. In the mid C18th a house called Copgate was on the site of the current early C19th mansion. The estate passed through various owners and in 1913 the mansion was sold to Croydon Corporation. In 1924 the estate, then called Streatham Grove, was saved from development by the actions of Norwood Grove Acquisition Committee, originally formed in 1910 to safeguard local open space from development. It raised funds and persuaded the owners to sell 32 acres of estate parkland for public open space. Norwood Grove, with the house, its ornamental gardens and grounds, was opened on 16 November 1926 by The Prince of Wales.
Norwood Grove was once within Great Streatham Common, partly enclosed in 1635 by the Duke of Portland. In the mid C18th a house called Copgate was on the site of the current early C19th mansion. The estate passed through various owners and in 1913 the mansion was sold to Croydon Corporation. In 1924 the estate, then called Streatham Grove, was saved from development by the actions of Norwood Grove Acquisition Committee, originally formed in 1910 to safeguard local open space from development. It raised funds and persuaded the owners to sell 32 acres of estate parkland for public open space. Norwood Grove, with the house, its ornamental gardens and grounds, was opened on 16 November 1926 by The Prince of Wales.