Description
Before WWI Selsdon was an isolated hamlet with one large house, 2 farms and c.20 cottages. Development took place from the 1920s and the Selsdon Residents' Association, formed in January 1926, played an active part in ensuring that the needs of the new population were addressed. The site of Selsdon Recreation Ground was formerly that of an old field, which was purchased for the recreation ground in 1927 by Coulsdon & Purley UDC. The site, originally called Farleigh Road Recreation Ground, is surrounded by houses that were built after the recreation ground was laid out.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Farleigh Road Recreation Ground |
|---|---|
| Site location | Old Farleigh Road/Woodland Gardens/Greville Avenue, Selsdon |
| Postcode | CR2 8NU |
| What3Words | ///taped.maker.going |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Croydon |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am Mon-Fri/9am weekends - dusk |
| Facilities | Sports pitches, car park and children’s play ground |
| Public Transport | Rail: East Croydon, Sanderstead then bus. |
| Research Updated | 1 December 2008 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Selsdon was a detached portion within the parish of Croydon from medieval times, from at least the C16th largely divided between two farms, Selsdon Farm in the north and Allards Farm in the south. When Croydon became a borough in 1883 Selsdon was initially attached to the parish of Sanderstead, but soon came under Croydon Rural District Council and then in 1915 under the new Coulsdon & Purley Urban District Council. Before WWI Selsdon was an isolated hamlet with one large house, later converted to Selsdon Park Hotel (q.v.), two farms and around 20 cottages. Development took place from the 1920s and the Selsdon Residents' Association, formed in January 1926, played an active part in ensuring that development of the area addressed the needs of the new population, including its amenities. The site of Selsdon Recreation Ground was formerly that of an old field, which was purchased for the recreation ground in 1927 by the UDC. Thomas Bainbridge's Map of 1800 marks the field as Joan's Hole, which may refer to the old quarry or pit on the southern side of the area.
The site, originally called Farleigh Road Recreation Ground, is surrounded by houses that were built after the recreation ground was laid out. After the end of WWII, the Residents' Association celebrated a 'Final Flare' on the recreation ground, with a bonfire, fireworks and dancing.
The site, originally called Farleigh Road Recreation Ground, is surrounded by houses that were built after the recreation ground was laid out. After the end of WWII, the Residents' Association celebrated a 'Final Flare' on the recreation ground, with a bonfire, fireworks and dancing.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ355621 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 4.05 |
| Site Ownership | LB Croydon |
| Site Management | Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1927 |
| 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 | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Archaeological Priority Zone |
| Other LA Designation | Local Open Land. Part of AP2 |
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
Selsdon Wood Country Park and Nature Reserve was once part of the Selsdon Park estate and up to 1923 the woods were used for shooting. After this time the estate was split up and following an active campaign to save them from development, in 1936 Selsden Woods became the joint responsibility of Croydon Corporation, Coulsdon and Purley UDC and The National Trust, opening to the public in June of that year. The site is a mixture of open pasture and woodland, and the old rides are maintained as footpaths.
The name Little Heath appears on a map of 1800 suggesting that there was once less woodland in the area. Littleheath Woods is the collective name for Littleheath Wood, Foxearth Woods, part of Queenhill Shaw and part of Gee Wood. The land was purchased in 1932, largely acquired through the efforts of Malcolm Sharp and the Commons and Footpath Preservation Society. Littleheath Wood was once used for shooting, and a pheasantry was established north of Queenhill Shaw. A bridle path runs through the centre of the woods to Lloyd Park.
Selsdon was within the parish of Croydon from medieval times, from at least the C16th largely divided between two farms, Selsdon Farm in the north and Allards Farm in the south. Selsdon Farm was gentrified into a mansion by 1815, with a landscaped park and home farm. The estate was purchased in 1924 and the house converted into Selsdon Park Hotel, which opened in 1926; Selsdon Golf Course was laid out on the parkland. There are many fine trees surviving from the C19th landscape and the garden area south-east of the hotel retains the bones of the original landscape design in terms of path structure, terraces and some of the planting.