Description
St Helier Open Space combines several pieces of land crossing south-west/ north-east across the St Helier Estate, which was built by the LCC from 1929-38. The 1st edition OS map of 1867 shows the site as farmland. The public open space is largely grassland with playing fields, with Revesby Wood to the north-west. Carshalton Sports Arena was built in the area to the south-west of Middleton Road, which bisects the site.
Practical Information
| Site location | Wrythe Lane/Tweeddale Road, St Helier |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SM5 1SL |
| What3Words | ///field.boats.sleeps |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Sutton |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Football pitches, ball park, children's playground |
| Public Transport | Rail: St Helier. Bus: 151, 157, 51. |
| Research Updated | 1 July 2008 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
St Helier Estate was the largest LCC estate to be built south of the river and spans the boroughs of Sutton and Merton. The estate was named after Lady Susan Mary St Helier, Councillor and LCC Alderman of from 1910-1927 who had campaigned for the improvement of housing facilities in London. It is one of a number of important LCC cottage estates inspired by the Garden City movement encouraged by Sir Ebenezer Howard and the pioneering town planning of Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin whose common characteristic is small-scale housing, often with excellent detailing, cul-de-sacs, generous verges and communal open spaces. St Helier Estate suffered bomb damage during WWII and after the war pre-fabricated housing was erected on St Helier Open Space.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ266665 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 11.16 |
| Site Ownership | LB Sutton |
| Site Management | Parks |
| 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 | Sutton |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | No |
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
Rosehill Park East and Rosehill Park West are two large areas of open space and sports fields to east and west of Rosehill Road. The 1st edition OS map of 1867 shows most of the area as open farmland with the eastern part of Rosehill Park East within Greenshaw Wood.
St Helier Estate was the largest LCC estate to be built south of the river and spans the boroughs of Sutton and Merton. It is one of a number of important LCC cottage estates inspired by the Garden City movement encouraged by Sir Ebenezer Howard and the pioneering town planning of Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin whose common characteristic is small-scale housing, often with excellent detailing, cul-de-sacs, generous verges and communal open spaces.
The 1st edition OS map of 1867 shows the site as an open field to the north of Rose Hill roundabout. The park is named after Thomas Wall who paid for half of the land in St Helier in the 1920s when it became a park.