Description
Development of the Norbury area began after the arrival of the railway in 1878, and Nos. 2-8 St Helen's Road are among the oldest houses in Norbury. These houses and those of St Helen's Crescent and Norbury Crescent face onto this triangular green space, which acts as a focal point. There are mature plane trees around the perimeter, which is bordered by privet hedging, with a single path across the grass.
Practical Information
| Site location | St Helen's Crescent/St Helen's Road/Norbury Crescent, Norbury |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW16 4LE |
| What3Words | ///ticket.lower.theme |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Croydon |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Public Transport | Rail: Norbury |
| Research Updated | 1 February 2006 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Building accelerated around London Road, which was possibly a Roman route, at the end of the C19th. Nos. 2-8 St Helen's Road are shown on OS of 1894, tall gabled brick semi detached houses. Also around the green are Arts and Crafts inspired houses such as 10 St Helen's Road of 1899-1901 designed by architects Chesterton and Sons. Nos. 5 and 7 St Helen's Crescent were built c.1896 for H W Carter on the Norbury Manor Estate by J P Chestertons architects.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ307695 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Croydon |
| Site Management | Highways |
| Dates | c1880s |
| 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 | No |
| Other LA Designation | Local Area of Special Character |
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
Norbury Hall was built in 1802 within the Manor of Norbury. The grounds comprised 30 acres of ornamental gardens with a large lake fed by the River Graveny. From the main entrance on London Road, a drive led through woodland to the house. In the C19th it was owned by James William Hobbs, Mayor of Croydon in 1887; it remained in his family until 1957. Hobbs had a private cricket field laid out in the grounds, now a private leisure club. Croydon Corporation acquired the estate in 1956. The Hall and 9 acres of gardens were fenced off for an old people's home, now privately run, and the grounds were taken over by the Council's Parks Department. The lake was dry by 1954, its site marked by a depression, but many mature trees remain in the public park.
The site for Norbury Park was purchased by Croydon Corporation in 1935 on land formerly North Surrey Golf Course, which dated back to 1920. Prior to this the land had been fields, once owned by Pembroke College. In the park is a relatively rare circular cattle trough, which was relocated here after the closure of the Croydon Cattle Market and was the gift of H Pratter Esq. MD in 1882. The market had operated from 1844, originally in the yard of the Greyhound Hotel, and then from 1848-1935 on a substantial site in Selsdon Road.
Pollards Hill occupies the highest point in Norbury with good views of the surrounding area. It was formerly part of the Great North Wood and the name Pollard probably refers to the management of the woodland. It was retained as open space after the surrounding land was developed in the late C19th although roads lined with avenues of trees were evidently laid out by the 1860s. In 1913 the then owner and former Mayor of Croydon, Sir Frederick Edridge, gave the site to Croydon Corporation to be used as public open space. The park has a Victorian drinking fountain in recognition of his gift.