Description
Sutton Garden Suburb was one of a number of garden suburbs set up by partnership organisations inspired by early developments such as Hampstead Garden Suburb, the Garden City movement and the pioneering town planning of Parker and Unwin. It was designed by Frederick Cavendish Pearson for Rose Hill Park Limited, which sold out its rights in 1913 to Sutton Garden Suburb Limited. Only a small part of the planned garden suburb was completed although there was some later infilling from the 1930s onwards. The internal space was formerly used as allotments but later fell into disuse.
Practical Information
| Site location | Greenhill, Woodend, Aultone Way |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SM1 3LJ |
| What3Words | ///bunch.happy.town |
| Type of Site | Housing/Estate Landscaping |
| Borough | Sutton |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted (public areas) |
| Public Transport | Rail: Sutton Common. Bus: 151, 154, 164, 280. |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2004 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The common characteristic of garden suburbs is small scale housing, often with excellent detailing, narrow winding roads, cul-de-sacs, generous verges and communal open spaces. Frederic Cavendish Pearson had previously been involved in laying out Brentham Garden Suburb (q.v.) in Ealing.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ261656 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 8.5 |
| Site Ownership | private, individual owners |
| Site Management | LB Sutton (open spaces); Sutton Garden Suburb Residents' Association |
| Dates | 1912-15 |
| Designers | Frederic Cavendish Pearson |
| 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 | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Sutton Garden Suburb |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Gallery
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
All Saints is a large and prominently positioned church at the foot of Angel Hill, which forms a landmark in this area. The parish of Benhilton was created in 1863 to serve the growing population of Sutton. The land and a sum of money was donated by Thomas Alcock, Lord of the Manor, who was developing his land to the east for upper class housing. All Saints' Churchyard surrounds the church, and is now closed to burials. There are a number of historically significant tombs in the churchyard, which is well planted with trees, and has yews along the path to the north porch.
Sutton Green was originally the northern tip of Sutton Common, which was left as open space when the Common was enclosed in the early C19th. The 1815 Inclosure map called the site a play area. In 1867 the site was called ‘The Green' and is shown with the pond at the south end. This was named Victoria Pond and had a weeping willow planted on its island to commemorate Queen Victoria's Coronation in 1837.
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.