Inventory Site Record

One of Croydon's earliest recreation grounds, the first parcel of land for Thornton Heath Recreation Ground was acquired by Croydon Corporation in 1884. Trees were planted and facilities for cricket provided, and further improvements in 1891, including new gates. In 1894 additional land was purchased to enlarge the ground and the public footpath running across the park marks the boundary. The park became very popular and had a bandstand and drinking fountain, no longer present, and later a bowling green, and other sports facilities. A new ornamental garden was opened in 1987.

Site location:

Melfort Avenue/Bridport Road, Thornton Heath

Postcode:

CR7 7QD

What 3 Words:

delay.angle.flap

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Croydon

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am Mon-Fri/9am weekends - dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Bowling green, children's playground, football pitches, multi-games courts.

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Thornton Heath. Bus: 129, 250

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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

Thornton Heath is one of Croydon's earliest recreation grounds. The first part of the ground was acquired by Croydon Corporation in 1884, the year after the Corporation was established; at that time the surrounding land was largely undeveloped (See OS 1894). In 1889 the Chairman of the Committee, Councillor Taylor, together with Croydon Road Surveyor, selected trees for the park from nurseries, paying £10 per 100, and these were to be planted by skilled men. The keeper was presented with a cap so that he could be distinguished; urinals were approved and a galvanised iron shed was found and moved for the cricketers. It was also decided not to allow religious services in the park on Sundays and dogs were to be kept on leads. In 1891 further improvements were made costing £60, which included new entrance gates at Beulah Road and planting of shrubs. By this time one of the clubs using the ground had complained that it was 'miserably small' for cricket. As a result a diagonal path was shortened in 1891 and the Corporation also agreed that on Saturdays, for safety reasons, half the games played should be forbidden. In 1894 an additional 5.5 acres of land was purchased to enlarge the recreation ground and laid out, the footpath running between Melfort Avenue and Bridport Road marking the boundary between the two parcels of land continues to be a public right of way that remains open at all times. The public path today is lined with a 2ft stone and clinker wall.

By 1894 there was a bandstand just south of the path, on the site of the current playground, which had popular summer band concerts. Other early features shown on the OS 1894 include a drinking fountain near the south entrance by Carew Road, and a urinal in the north-west area by the park boundary; a line of trees and a perimeter path are also marked, with trees flanking the east/west path. The bowling green was not laid out until some time after 1911, but was certainly in existence by 1938, by which time facilities included 6 hard and 3 grass tennis courts, 2 cricket pitches and a junior football pitch, as well as a pavilion with full dressing room, fully-equipped children's playground, a nurse attendant and a refreshment kiosk. The drinking fountain was in the centre of the ground and there were toilets at the Winterbourne and Carew Road entrances. The park was so well used that in 1948 it was reported that 'the ground has been used to such an extent that it is now bare of grass and in order to reinstate it to its former condition it must be closed for at least 9 months'. Along the western boundary of the park the Norbury Brook runs in a deep concrete channel.

In July 1987 the Mayor of Croydon opened a new ornamental garden, during the construction of which a number of underground tunnels were discovered dating from WWII and built as air raid shelters. The park has a mixture of pollarded planes, black poplar and yew trees on the boundary, which are from the original planting, as is the winding avenue cross the centre of the park. There are a number of commemorative seats and benches in the park.

Sources consulted:

M A Winterman, 'Croydon's parks: an illustrated history', (LB Croydon, 1988) p104/5; Raymond Wheeler, 'Norbury, Thornton Heath & Broad Green', (Tempus, 2000), p83; Borough of Croydon Council Minutes 1888-9, 1889-90 and 1890-01. W C Berwick Sayers, 'The Parks and Pleasure Gardens of Croydon'. 1938, p.38; LB Croydon, 'Local List of Historic Parks & Gardens', December 2008.

LPGT Volunteer Research by Kristina Taylor, 2006

Grid ref:

TQ316686 (531700,168660)

Size in hectares:

5.46

Site ownership:

LB Croydon

Site management:

Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

1884-94

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:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Local Open Land. Partly in Area of Risk from Flooding. Green Corridor