Description
The Paddock Allotments are adjacent to Cannon Hill Common, and both park and allotments were established in c. 1926. The land was not commonland as such but part of the former extensive holdings of Merton Priory, founded in the C12th, later part of Cannon Hill Estate and was farmed for many centuries. Cannon Hill House was built, probably shortly after 1762, with parkland and gardens. In 1924, the house now being empty, the estate was purchased by developer George Blay for housing. However, following local pressure against the loss of open space, in 1925 Blay offered part of the land to Merton and Morden UDC for a public park, which opened in 1927 as Cannon Hill Common. An area of 5.5 acres was also set aside for allotments, and 107 plots were made available for an annual rent. In 1959 the Paddock Horticultural Society was founded to purchase and sell stock to tenants on the site, and in 1991 became responsible for running the site. The site now has c.170 plots and a wide range of tenants, with some plots growing organic fruit and vegetables and others resembling cottage gardens.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Cannon Hill Allotments; Paddock Allotments & Leisure Gardens |
|---|---|
| Site location | off Parkway, Raynes Park |
| Postcode | SW20 9HE |
| What3Words | ///refuse.ideas.jokes |
| Type of Site | Private Open Land |
| Borough | Merton |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | Private, but has trading hut/cafe (to check current opening days/times). |
| Facilities | Toilets, cafe |
| Events | Members events/activities organised by Paddock Horticultural Society. |
| Public Transport | Rail: Raynes Park. Bus 163, 413 |
| Research Updated | 16 March 2025 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
William Taylor, who built Cannon Hill House in c.1773, was in the military, for many years in the 32nd Regiment, later becoming a Major-General in the 14th Regiment. His house, referred to as 'an impressive stuccoed mansion with surrounding parkland adjoining Cannon Hill Farm' was further described by James Edwards in his Companion from London to Brighthelmston in 1789/1801: 'It is a white house situated on an eminence commanding a pleasant and extensive prospect to the east, over a small park or lawn. On the west are suitable gardens, shrubberies etc. and the soil is a stiff black clay.' Between 1832 and 1865 the owner of Cannon Hill House was Richard Thornton, a wealthy trader, but after his death it appears the house was not much used and in 1880 was referred to as being empty. It was probably demolished in the late C19th although early C20th maps still show buildings.
In 1924, when George Blay purchased the Cannon Hill Estate, as well as part of the Rayne Estate, his intention was to develop the land for housing. However as a result of local pressure against the loss of public open land he later offered part of the Cannon Hill House parkland to Merton and Morden UDC, who purchased 53.5 acres for £17,610, naming the new park Cannon Hill Common (q.v.). Adjoining the public park an area of 5.5 acres was set aside for allotments, leading to the establishment of the Paddock Allotments in 1926, which had 107 plots available for an annual rent.
In 1959 the Paddock Horticultural Society was founded, initially in order to purchase and sell stock to tenants on the site. Over the next 28 years the Society gradually permitted neighboring residents to use its trading facilities and in 1987 social activities were introduced. In 1989 LB Merton invited the Society to consider taking on the management of the site itself, and as an inducement carried out a number of improvements, such as erecting anti-vandal fencing, providing additional water facilities and the shell for what later became the clubhouse. In 1991 the Society became responsible for self-management and since then new site facilities have included a garage; fitting out the clubhouse, shop, kitchen, office and workshop; better drainage; a gazebo area and new gates. A Committee handles all the tenancy, security and maintenance, as well as membership, administration, communication and financial control, catering and trading facilities. By 2005 the trading hut was open 3 times a week, providing a range of products at reasonable prices, with catering in the clubhouse provided by volunteers on Sunday mornings. A Garden Members scheme was set up for local people enabling their use of the shop, and participation in social events organised by the Society. The site now has around 170 plots, with plot-holders from diverse communities growing a wide range of fruits and vegetables as well as flowers. While some plots purely grow organic produce, others resemble English cottage gardens. The Paddock Horticultural Society is now a Company Limited by Guarantee.
Paddock Allotments have been winner of London in Bloom Best Allotment on a number of occasions since 2010.
In 1924, when George Blay purchased the Cannon Hill Estate, as well as part of the Rayne Estate, his intention was to develop the land for housing. However as a result of local pressure against the loss of public open land he later offered part of the Cannon Hill House parkland to Merton and Morden UDC, who purchased 53.5 acres for £17,610, naming the new park Cannon Hill Common (q.v.). Adjoining the public park an area of 5.5 acres was set aside for allotments, leading to the establishment of the Paddock Allotments in 1926, which had 107 plots available for an annual rent.
In 1959 the Paddock Horticultural Society was founded, initially in order to purchase and sell stock to tenants on the site. Over the next 28 years the Society gradually permitted neighboring residents to use its trading facilities and in 1987 social activities were introduced. In 1989 LB Merton invited the Society to consider taking on the management of the site itself, and as an inducement carried out a number of improvements, such as erecting anti-vandal fencing, providing additional water facilities and the shell for what later became the clubhouse. In 1991 the Society became responsible for self-management and since then new site facilities have included a garage; fitting out the clubhouse, shop, kitchen, office and workshop; better drainage; a gazebo area and new gates. A Committee handles all the tenancy, security and maintenance, as well as membership, administration, communication and financial control, catering and trading facilities. By 2005 the trading hut was open 3 times a week, providing a range of products at reasonable prices, with catering in the clubhouse provided by volunteers on Sunday mornings. A Garden Members scheme was set up for local people enabling their use of the shop, and participation in social events organised by the Society. The site now has around 170 plots, with plot-holders from diverse communities growing a wide range of fruits and vegetables as well as flowers. While some plots purely grow organic produce, others resemble English cottage gardens. The Paddock Horticultural Society is now a Company Limited by Guarantee.
Paddock Allotments have been winner of London in Bloom Best Allotment on a number of occasions since 2010.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ236684 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 2.226 |
| Site Ownership | LB Merton |
| Site Management | Paddock Horticultural Society |
| Dates | 1926 |
| 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 | Merton |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance I |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Archaeological Priority Zone (part) |
| Other LA Designation | Open Space |
Gallery
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
Cannon Hill Common was not commonland as such but part of the former extensive holdings of Merton Priory, founded in the C12th and later part of Cannon Hill Estate. In estate sale documents in 1613 it was described as 'a wood called Cannondowne Hill containing 60 acres'. The land was farmed for many centuries until Cannon Hill House was built, probably shortly after 1773. By 1880 the house was empty and the surrounding land farmed. In 1924 developer George Blay purchased the estate as well as part of the Rayne Estate and built over much of it, but in 1925 offered the present site to Merton and Morden UDC for a public park, which opened in 1927, named Cannon Hill Common. The house was demolished and its site at the edge of the lake and woodland was first designated a bird sanctuary in 1927/9, since 1998 it has been managed as a nature reserve. The ornamental lake was created in the C18th and is a remnant of the former landscaped grounds of Cannon Hill House.
Cherry Wood is a 1.65 hectare remnant of old woodland that once covered a larger area but was eventually built over by residential development. In 1837 it is shown on the Tithe Map as Great Wood, and, now surrounded by 1930s suburban housing, it is dominated by pedunculate oak trees. Until 1990 it was neglected and used as a dump, but work to enhance it was then undertaken by LB Merton and Cherry Wood was established as a nature reserve in 2000.
Morden Cemetery, also called Battersea New Cemetery, set up by Battersea Burial Board in 1891. North East Surrey Crematorium opened in 1958 on part of the cemetery land. There are extensive grounds with formal and informal features, well planted with mature trees, and extensive rose gardens. A wide drive flanked by Lombardy poplars leads to the chapel and crematorium from the main entrance, which has the original half-timbered cemetery lodge and entrance, which has fine railings and gates with Gothicised piers.