Inventory Site Record

Duppas Hill was the first public recreation ground in Croydon, but the site had a very long history of use for sporting events. Tournaments were held here until 1286, when Lord William de Warenne was treacherously killed. Croydon Board of Health purchased the land from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1865. There was evidently a pavilion here by 1890 and the park had paths and perimeter trees. By 1932 a bandstand, toilets and drinking fountain had been added although now only the Victorian drinking fountain survives.

Previous / Other name:

Duppas Hill

Site location:

Duppas Hill Road/Hillside Road/Cooper Road, Croydon

Postcode:

CR0 4BG

What 3 Words:

mole.monday.piles

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Croydon

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Children's playground

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Waddon

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Research updated:

01/12/2008

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.croydon.gov.uk

Duppas Hill was the first recreation ground in Croydon; the site was purchased from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners by the Croydon Board of Health in 1865. There is a long history of use of the site for sporting events, with tournaments held here until 1286, when Lord William de Warenne was treacherously killed. Duppas Hill is mainly used as sports fields but has been used for many of Croydon’s festivals and events over the years, including the annual firework displays presented by Sir Frederick Edridge, and bonfires to celebrate national as well as local events. In 1910 Lord Roberts presented colours to the 4th Queens Volunteer Battalion on Duppas Hill. By 1932 a bandstand, pavilion and drinking fountain had been added although now only the Victorian drinking fountain survives.

Sources consulted:

MA Winterman, Croydon's parks: an illustrated history (LB Croydon, 1988) pp32/3; LB Croydon, 'Local List of Historic Parks & Gardens', December 2008

Grid ref:

TQ315647 (531593,164707)

Size in hectares:

13.76

Site ownership:

LB Croydon

Site management:

Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

1865

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

None

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 Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

Yes

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Borough Importance II

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

Yes

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Archaeological Priority Zone (part)

Other LA designation:

Local Open Land. Part of AP2