Description
Riddlesdown is first recorded in 1331, at that time called 'Ridelsdoune' meaning 'cleared woodland on a hill' and there is evidence of early human activity. In medieval times Kenley Common and Riddlesdown formed part of the waste land of the Manor of Watendone. In 1883, to prevent the Lord of the Manor from enclosing the commonland further, the Corporation of London acquired most of Riddlesdown 'for public recreation and enjoyment' and 'to preserve the natural aspect'. The Gardener's Pleasure Resort established nearby in 1892 was popular with Victorian day trippers.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Riddlesdoune; Riddlesdown Common |
|---|---|
| Site location | Riddlesdown Road/Honister Heights, Kenley |
| Postcode | CR8 1BX |
| What3Words | ///class.cloud.cable |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Croydon |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Car park, footpaths, bridleways |
| Public Transport | Rail: Kenley. Bus: 407, 412 |
| Research Updated | 1 December 2008 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Riddlesdown is within the West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons group of 6 areas managed by Corporation of London, 3 others of which are in Croydon: Farthing Downs, Kenley Common and Coulsdon Common. Riddlesdown is first recorded in 1331, at that time called Ridelsdoune and meaning 'cleared woodland on a hill'. Evidence of early human activity has been found here, such as Neolithic or New Stone Age axes, possible traces of Iron Age fields and Riddlesdown Road was a Roman trade route. 1962 3 graves were excavated possibly connected with a Saxon cemetery found at the junction of Riddlesdown Avenue and Mitchley Avenue. In medieval times Kenley Common and Riddlesdown formed part of the waste land of the Manor of Watendone; the lord of the manor did not have exclusive use of this commonland, the Statute of Merton having guaranteed the rights of commoners in 1235 to the products of the soil, pasture for livestock, and gathering material for fuel, livestock bedding and roofing. However when the value of the land increased following the coming of the railways in C19th, the then Lord of the Manor of Coulsdon, Edmund Byron, began enclosing and appropriating some 150 acres of land at Hartley Down. One neighbouring landowner, William Hall, refused to sell his land to Byron and eventually approached the Corporation of London with an offer to sell his land and commoners rights in the hopes that the Corporation would protect the land from further encroachment as it had done in Epping. As a result the Corporation negotiated with Byron for ownership of Kenley Common and in 1883 347 acres were purchased, which excluded the commonland already enclosed and sold to others.
Riddlesdown and Kenley Common were acquired under the powers of the Corporation of London (Open Spaces) Act 1878 'for public recreation and enjoyment' and 'to preserve the natural aspect'. In 1884, the Croydon to Oxted railway line was completed and at the foot of Riddlesdown the Gardener's Pleasure Resort was established here in 1892, popular with Victorian day trippers. A small area is managed by LB Croydon
Riddlesdown and Kenley Common were acquired under the powers of the Corporation of London (Open Spaces) Act 1878 'for public recreation and enjoyment' and 'to preserve the natural aspect'. In 1884, the Croydon to Oxted railway line was completed and at the foot of Riddlesdown the Gardener's Pleasure Resort was established here in 1892, popular with Victorian day trippers. A small area is managed by LB Croydon
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ322605 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 43 |
| Site Ownership | City of London Corporation (small area owned by LB Croydon) |
| Site Management | City of London Corporation (LB Croydon Parks and Open Spaces). Riddlesdown Conservation Committee |
| Dates | ancient; 1883 |
| Listed Structures | SAM: Newe Ditch |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Common exempted under 1965 Act |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Croydon |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Metropolitan Importance + SSSI (part) |
| Green Belt | Yes |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Archaeological Priority Zone. Ancient Monument |
| Other LA Designation | Part of AP2; SSSI. Earthwork: Archaeological Site of National Importance |
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
Bourne Park lies in a narrow strip of land between Godstone Road and the Purley-Caterham railway line. It was acquired by the Coulsdon and Purley UDC in 1921 and was laid out as a public park with a playground and paddling pool and, to the north-west, allotments. With the gradual decline in use of allotments they were reduced in size and in 1987 the park was extended.
Kenley Common is a remnant of ancient commonland, preserved in 1883 when it was acquired by the Corporation of London. At that time it also took in Kenley Airfield, land for which was taken during WWI; in 1925 additional land to the east was given as public open space in compensation. Some land on the airfield perimeter has since been transferred back and contains remnants of fighter pens (Blast Bays) from the historic RAF airfield. Features of the commonland survive in the form of boundaries and old trees, and the common today consists of chalk grassland, ancient woodland, with cattle and sheep continuing to graze here.
The land for Sanderstead Recreation Ground was acquired in 1895 when the newly-formed Parish Council was looking for an area of flat ground near the village centre for a cricket pitch. A popular sport in the area for centuries, setting up a local club was first mooted in 1881 but attempts to establish Sanderstead Cricket Club formally date from 1895 and the Brand Memorial Hall was built adjacent to the pitch as a club room. After WWI the recreation ground was used for other sports, and there is now a bowling green, football pitches and playground.