Description

Sherwood Recreation Ground is a public park created in the 1930s, as the former open land began to be built up with new roads and housing. The name recalls Sherwood Farm/Lodge, which was formerly located in this area.

Practical Information

Previously known as Sherwood Park Road Open Space; Sherwood Park
Site location Abbotts Road, off Sherwood Park Road
Postcode CR4 1JP
What3Words ///venue.dogs.look
Type of Site Public Park
Borough Merton
Open to Public Yes
Opening Times 8am - dusk (weekdays); 9am - dusk (weekends, bank holidays)
Facilities Play area, tennis courts
Public Transport Rail: Mitcham Junction. Bus: 152
Research Updated 30 October 2025
Last Updated 18 October 2026

Full description

The OS 25 ins Map (Surrey XIV.1), 1894 revision, shows much of the land here in agricultural use, with a few villas and farms north of Commonside East, including Norfolk Villa, Sherwood Lodge, Newbarns Farm and South Lodge. The later revision of 1910/11 shows the situation little changed. The revision of 1932 shows housing and new streets laid out to the east of Sherwood Lodge. South of Sherwood Park Road, the Recreation Ground is marked with a pavilion in the north-west of the ground, surrounded by the backs of residential housing and adjacent to The Sherwood School, a two-form entry community school. By 1940, tennis courts are shown in the south-west corner of the park near the pavilion, where a drinking fountain is also marked. Sherwood Lodge appears to have disappeared by 1953, its site shown as a square open space behind housing, now built over. 

The park consists of an open green space hedged to surrounding housing with little planting. A children's playground was added, and in 2020 the pavilion was upgraded, opening on 1 November as Sherwood Park Hall CIC, providing Mitcham with a new community facility, with outdoor space and parking; a mini golf course and coffee shop were planned to open in 2021.

Further Information

Grid Reference TQ294682
Size in hectares 1.42
Site Ownership LB Merton
Site Management Leisure and Culture Services
Dates 1930s
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 No
Green Belt No
Metropolitan Open Land No
Special Policy Area No
Other LA Designation Public Open Space

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

  • Merton
  • 0.4 miles away

Pollards Hill Housing Estate, including Donnelly Green

Pollards Hill Housing Estate was built in 1968-71, a high density scheme that included various areas of green space in the form of private gardens, partly enclosed squares and a public park, Donnelly Green, named after Mitcham's Head of Parks. The closes and roads within the estate are named after various counties of England and Wales.
  • Merton
  • 0.4 miles away

Pollards Hill Recreation Ground

Pollards Hill Recreation Ground was provided when the area was developed for housing in the 1950s.
  • Merton
  • 0.6 miles away

Mitcham Common, including Mitcham Golf Course

Mitcham Common is ancient commonland that once extended much further and before clearance in Neolithic times was oak woodlands. It was divided between four manors and was long used for agriculture and grazing, and from the early C19th for gravel extraction. In response to public concern about threat of development Mitcham Common was secured by Act of Parliament in 1891. Land south of Croydon Road became a public golf course in the 1890s, and land in the north was used for playing fields.