Description
The site of Whitehorse Road Recreation Ground was acquired by Croydon Corporation in 1888 as an informal play area for local children in a densely populated district and work was completed by 1891. It was laid out with a perimeter gravel path, 250 trees and grass, and a clump of trees, seat and drinking fountain were moved. In 1936 an enclosed rest garden was created for the elderly, which had circular raised areas of planting and a shelter, the latter later removed. Opposite the recreation ground there used to be a large fishpond, now grassed over as Boulogne Road Playground.
Practical Information
| Site location | Whitehorse Road/Boulogne Road, Selhurst |
|---|---|
| Postcode | CR7 8SD |
| What3Words | ///piano.rewarding.mimic |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Croydon |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | 8am Mon-Fri/9am weekends - dusk |
| Public Transport | Rail: Selhurst, Thornton Heath. Bus: 50, 468 |
| Research Updated | 1 October 2018 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The site of Whitehorse Road Recreation Ground was acquired by Croydon Corporation in 1888 as an informal play area for local children, in a densely populated district where large numbers of poor children were daily seen playing in the streets. Although the area was not large enough for any organised games it was well used for informal games by the children who lived in the otherwise congested neighbourhood. The cost was £1360, and an 8-foot gravel path was made around the site, 250 trees were planted and land was levelled and cleaned, and grass sown. An additional £800 was spent on surface water drains. A clump of trees, seat and drinking fountain were moved and by 1891 £170 was needed to complete it. The original estimate for laying out the grounds lists as the first operation 'Raising level of ground....£400' and adds as a footnote from the Borough Road Surveyor: 'I propose to raise it as much as possible within a reasonable time by carting the dust and ashes, as well as the road scrapings, on to it, commencing at the southern end of the ground, and pushing forward to the north as fast as materials come to hand.'
In 1936 a side garden was constructed with a shelter for elderly people, since removed. Berwick-Sayers described this garden in 1938: 'It has a shelter for old folk, where they can sit in pleasant surroundings and play cribbage and other games. A fire is provided for them in the winter months.' During WWII the main part of the field was used for A.R.P. Shelters.
Opposite Whitehorse Recreation Ground is Boulogne Road Playground, which in 1880 was the site of a large fish pond behind private houses in Whitehorse Road. The site was purchased by Croydon Borough Council in October 1930 with the provision that they would not carry out on the site any 'noisy, noisome, noxious or offensive trade or business'. The pond was either drained or dried out naturally and was filled-in by the Council before the playground was built. Behind the playground there used to be a bus station for horse-drawn buses where stabling for the horses was in a building above the vehicles.
In 1936 a side garden was constructed with a shelter for elderly people, since removed. Berwick-Sayers described this garden in 1938: 'It has a shelter for old folk, where they can sit in pleasant surroundings and play cribbage and other games. A fire is provided for them in the winter months.' During WWII the main part of the field was used for A.R.P. Shelters.
Opposite Whitehorse Recreation Ground is Boulogne Road Playground, which in 1880 was the site of a large fish pond behind private houses in Whitehorse Road. The site was purchased by Croydon Borough Council in October 1930 with the provision that they would not carry out on the site any 'noisy, noisome, noxious or offensive trade or business'. The pond was either drained or dried out naturally and was filled-in by the Council before the playground was built. Behind the playground there used to be a bus station for horse-drawn buses where stabling for the horses was in a building above the vehicles.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ326674 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 1.82 |
| Site Ownership | LB Croydon |
| Site Management | Parks and Open Spaces |
| Dates | 1888-91; 1936 |
| Designers | Croydon Corporation Borough Surveyor |
| 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 - Whitehorse Meadow Local Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Local Open Land |
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
Following the establishment of Croydon Burial Board in 1859, Queen's Road Cemetery was the first cemetery in Croydon. It was founded in 1861 and much remains of the original layout, which had a central walk heavily planted with trees, including those planted amongst the graves. Symmetrical curving paths lead off the central path. Buildings include a pair of linked chapels linked, a lodge, stone gate piers and fine railings on Queen's Road. The older part of the cemetery east of the chapels contains the more interesting monuments, with memorials to important local people.
St James's Church was built in 1828 on the last area of open space here, once extensive commonland. From 1890-1920 half an acre of the churchyard became the responsibility of Croydon Corporation to provide much-needed public open space. Finally, in 1959, it was agreed that the whole churchyard should become a public garden, although this was not laid out until 1966. The old churchyard walls remain and gravestones were laid as a paved area adjacent to the church.
Trumble Gardens were laid out on the site of three houses in Brigstock Road that were destroyed by bombing in WWII. The site was purchased by Croydon Corporation in 1947/8 and cleared of rubble, the new gardens' boundary walls built from the bricks of the houses. A series of different character gardens were laid out including a rose garden and an Italian-style garden. As well as quiet seating areas and ornamental gardens, the public were provided with tennis courts and a children's playground. Originally called Brigstock Road Gardens, the garden was later renamed to commemorate the late Alderman Trumble.