Inventory Site Record

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.

Site location:

Pollards Crescent, Norbury

Postcode:

SW16 4NY

What 3 Words:

sleepy.reef.rings

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Croydon

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am Mon-Fri/9am weekends - dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Viewpoint over Croydon

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Norbury then bus. Bus: 60, 109, 255

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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

Pollards Hill occupies the highest point in Norbury and on a clear day provides good views of the surrounding area, including central Croydon, Epsom Downs, Mitcham Common and Windsor Castle. Pollards Hill was formerly part of the Great North Wood and the name Pollard probably derives from this connection, referring to the management of the woodland. In the late C13th it is recorded as part of arable land belonging to the ancient Manor of Benchesham or Bensham. Pollards Hill was retained as open space after the surrounding land was developed for housing in the late C19th; roads lined with avenues of trees were evidently laid out before the houses were built and these are shown on the 1st edition OS map dated 1868.

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. A Victorian drinking fountain dedicated to Sir Frederick and Lady Edridge was erected in recognition of their gift. There is some peripheral tree-planting and the park has boundary railings. At the summit is a GLC viewing point that indicates the direction of various landmarks. A shelter commemorates the late Dr WA MacWilliam, a local doctor who was well respected by his patients.

Adjacent to Pollards Hill is an area of public open space provided in the 1980s that had previously been used for allotments, and native trees and shrubs have been planted and footpaths laid out. The site contains the well-preserved earthworks of a prehistoric Hill Fort.

Sources consulted:

MA Winterman, 'Croydon's parks: an illustrated history' (LB Croydon, 1988) p70; LB Croydon, 'Local List of Historic Parks & Gardens', December 2008

Grid ref:

TQ303687 (530316,168780)

Size in hectares:

3.14

Site ownership:

LB Croydon

Site management:

Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

1913

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 - Local Importance

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Archaeological Priority Zone

Other LA designation:

Croydon Panorama. Local Open Land. In AP2