Inventory Site Record

Sanderstead Pond is a small remnant of the old village green and is almost certainly fed by rain water rather than a spring, the water level fluctuating throughout the year. Sanderstead village was once surrounded by extensive woodland and downs. There is evidence that the area had seen the presence of man as long ago as the Mesolithic Period, nearly 12000 years ago. Early mention of 'Sonderstede' occurs in 871AD and in the Domesday Survey the manor was held by the Abbey of St Peter at Westminster. In 1799 the local Squire enclosed the village green into his parkland and its layout has little changed since the mid C19th.

Site location:

Limpsfield Road/Addington Road, Sanderstead

Postcode:

CR2 8RE

What 3 Words:

loaded.fetch.letter

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Croydon

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Purley, Riddlesdown then bus. Bus: 403, 412

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Research updated:

01/12/2009

Last minor changes:

29/03/2026

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

Sanderstead village with its parish church of All Saints (q.v.) is on the edge of chalk hills, 600 ft above sea level and was once surrounded by extensive woodland and downs. Early mention of 'Sonderstede' is found in a will of Duke Alfred of 871AD, and in the Domesday Survey the manor was held by the Abbey of St Peter at Westminster, named 'Sanstede', the name probably meaning 'sandy place'. In 1799 the local Squire enclosed the village green into his parkland. In 1958-60 Sanderstead Archaeological Group found traces of a C17th lodge near the pond, pottery fragments and Saxon relics, as well as evidence that the area had seen the presence of man as long ago as the Mesolithic Period, nearly 12000 years ago. Sanderstead Pond today is a small remnant of the old village green set in a grassed area, behind which is an area of grass known locally as The Gruffy. The pond is almost certainly fed by rain water rather than a spring, and the water level is subject to fluctuations throughout the year. The pond is now cleaned on a regular basis when the water level is low. One side of the Green has been altered for the roundabout junction of Limpsfield Road and Addington Road, otherwise it is little changed in layout from 1840s.

Sources consulted:

Winterman, M A, Croydon's parks: an illustrated history (LB Croydon, 1988) p84; Edward Walford, Village London; LB Croydon, 'Local List of Historic Parks & Gardens', December 2008

Grid ref:

TQ340613 (534080,161360)

Size in hectares:

1.42

Site ownership:

LB Croydon

Site management:

Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

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 I

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Local Open Land. Part of AP2