Description
Shirley Heath was part of a much larger area of woodland, Spring Park Wood, which was significantly lost to housing development in the early C20th and for a golf course in 1922. The area west of the Bridle Way that runs through the site became known as Kennel Wood because it was where the Old Surrey Foxhounds were kept and trained. The golf course was purchased in 1934 by the local council; pre-fabs and then the Shrublands Estate were built on the northern part, with the southern part provided as public open space. The only reminder of Spring Park Wood survives in a small area of woodland surrounded by housing north of Links View Road.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Kennel Wood, Spring Park Wood, Jacksons Common, The Heath |
|---|---|
| Site location | Shirley Church Road, Shirley |
| Postcode | CR0 8JB |
| What3Words | ///stacks.look.gravel |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Croydon |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Football pitches, children's playground, bridleway across the heath, cycle path |
| Public Transport | Rail: Hayes then bus. Tramlink: Addington Village. Bus: 119, 138, 198, 246, 314, 353. |
| Research Updated | 1 April 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The area now known as Shirley Heath was part of a much larger area of woodland, Spring Park Wood, which was significantly lost to housing development in the early C20th and for a golf course in 1922. The golf course was laid out between Links View Road to the north and Shirley Church Road in the south and took in Kennel Wood to the west of Bridle Way, which runs north / south through the site. The area to the east of Bridle Way and south of Shrublands Estate was referred to as 'The Heath' in the C14th and later as Jacksons Common. The area to the west became known as Kennel Wood because it was here that the owner of Shirley Park, Colonel Maberley, kept and trained the Old Surrey Foxhounds.
The golf course was purchased in 1934 by the local council, and on the northern part of the course built pre-fabs, which remained in place until the Shrublands Estate was built in 1961-3. A pub at the junction of Bridle Road and Broom Road is on the former site of a gamekeeper's house and pens within the woods. The southern part of the golf course was provided as public open space, with some of the former fairways between the trees now used for sports pitches. The site consists of woodland and open heath. A small area of the former Spring Park Wood is hidden between houses
The golf course was purchased in 1934 by the local council, and on the northern part of the course built pre-fabs, which remained in place until the Shrublands Estate was built in 1961-3. A pub at the junction of Bridle Road and Broom Road is on the former site of a gamekeeper's house and pens within the woods. The southern part of the golf course was provided as public open space, with some of the former fairways between the trees now used for sports pitches. The site consists of woodland and open heath. A small area of the former Spring Park Wood is hidden between houses
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ371647 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Croydon |
| Site Management | Parks and Open Spaces |
| Designers | 1920s onwards |
| 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 - Metropolitan 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
Spring Park is remnant ancient woodland and meadowland now within the West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons group managed by the Corporation of London. Once part of the much larger West Wickham manorial estate, owned by the Lennard family from the C16th, the site was conveyed to the Corporation in 1926 and 1927 to be held in perpetuity as public open space. Accessible from Spring Park is Cheyne Wood, which from 1901 was part of private landscaped grounds of Stramshall Lodge, formerly within the manorial lands. From 1927-50 this was the Children's Heart Hospital and from 1957-89 became part of Cheyne Hospital. After the hospital closed most of the grounds were built over apart from this remainder of the former landscaped woodland where badger setts were found, which was acquired by Bromley Council in 2004.
The modest flint church of St Mary the Blessed Virgin dates back to at least the C11th and its burial ground is also centuries old. There are many associations with the Archbishops of Canterbury who lived at Addington Palace from the early C19th and a memorial in the churchyard commemorates Archbishops buried here. Extended a number of times to accommodate more burials, the churchyard is now closed, and has over 1,000 memorials. Trees include a number of yews and other conifers.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
In the C18th the estate was owned by the Archbishops of Canterbury for their country residence. Addington Palace was built in 1768, with the surrounding parkland laid out by Lancelot Brown c.1781. The site today has 3 different uses, the largest part a private golf course laid out in the early C19th, and the Palace and pleasure gardens are in private use. The land to the south of the golf course was acquired in 1930 for a public park, Addington Park, and contains the C19th South Lodge to Addington Palace. The tennis courts in the south-west corner were provided after WWII.
In the C18th the estate was owned by the Archbishops of Canterbury for their country residence. Addington Palace was built in 1768, with the surrounding parkland laid out by Lancelot Brown c.1781. The site today has 3 different uses, the largest part a private golf course laid out in the early C19th, and the Palace and pleasure gardens are in private use. The land to the south of the golf course was acquired in 1930 for a public park, Addington Park, and contains the C19th South Lodge to Addington Palace. The tennis courts in the south-west corner were provided after WWII.