Inventory Site Record

Sutton Ecology Centre opened in 1989 but formerly comprised an area known as The Lodge Lands, previously Cook's Orchard and recorded in use as an orchard since 1590. In the C18th the site was the kitchen garden to Stone Court, which had an extensive estate. Also in the grounds is The Old Rectory, an early C18th house probably built by Rev William Hollier, vicar of All Saints Church.

Previous / Other name:

The Lodge Lands; Cooks Orchard; The Old Rectory

Site location:

The Lodge, Festival Walk, Carshalton

Postcode:

SM5 3NY

What 3 Words:

causes.agrees.flats

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Sutton

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am - dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Guided Walks

Public transport:

Rail: Carshalton. Bus: 407, 726, 127, 157.

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/11/2004

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

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

Sutton Ecology Centre, which was opened in 1989 by David Bellamy, is an area re-developed by the Ecology Centre Management that formerly comprised an area known as The Lodge Lands, previously Cook's Orchard and recorded in use as an orchard since 1590. In the C18th the site formed the kitchen garden to Stone Court, which was demolished in c.1800 but whose estate had been extensive. Also within the Ecology Centre grounds and used for its offices and shop is The Old Rectory, an early C18th house probably built by Rev William Hollier, vicar of Carshalton parish church of All Saints (q.v.). The Ecology Centre grounds include ponds, walks, allotments, conservation areas etc., around The Lodge, which was built in 1866 on the site of an earlier house and now in council ownership. There are some mature trees in the grounds and at the southern boundary are remains of a water channel that at one time led to a Bath, shown on the OS map of 1867. Information boards around the site relate to conservation exhibits.

Sources consulted:

Ian Yarham, Richard Barnes, Bob Britton 'Nature Conservation in Sutton', Ecology Handbook 22, London Ecology Unit, 1993 p52-56; LB Sutton Heritage website; Bridget Cherry & Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of England: London 2: South (Penguin) 1999 p649

Grid ref:

TQ277645 (527844,164621)

Size in hectares:

2.2

Site ownership:

LB Sutton

Site management:

LBS (Environmental Officer)

Date(s):

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII: Gate house, Honeywood Walk and wall attached; The Old Rectory, Festival Walk

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:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Borough Importance I

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Site of Wild Life Value, Sutton UDP, schedule 4 p315

Sutton Ecology Centre - Photo: Colin Wing
Date taken: 20/07/20 14:17

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