BEDDINGTON PARK: A HIDDEN GEM IN SOUTH LONDON

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

(Beddington Park Flowing River)

The sun was out and the surroundings were bathed in its warm rays. Naturally, locals were out and about taking advantage of the feisty warm weather that happened all of a sudden. Even I was amongst the ones who stepped out of our den and decided to stroll around the nearby park. That day was a blessing for all of us who yearn so much for tropical weather in this cold country.

Last Sunday afternoon, I visited Beddington park and savoured the fresh air as well as the warm sunshine for hours. I then explored the entire park on foot and came across lines of baronial trees; an old historical church with its graveyard full of ancient stones with their faded inscriptions from loved ones; cafés and sport fields. It wasn’t my first visit but to be charmed from time to time, I can now say that it is one of the hidden gems in South London.

 (Summer/Spring and Autumn pictures)

Beddington park is very vast in area and very green too especially in Summer. It is nearly 100 acres or almost 41 hectares in total, which spreads out between Croydon and Sutton and is maintained by Sutton Borough. I read on the web, that this was originally part of a deer park attached to Carew Manor. Which in Tudor times occupied a large swathe of land between the present Mitcham Common, Beddington Lane, Croydon Road and London Road. That was the past!

In 1935, this beautiful park was acquired by the Borough of Beddington & Wallington and turned into a public park for people to bask around its health friendly green acres.

 
Today, Beddington park has well- preserved gardens including the small kidney-shaped pond in the north and the main lake in the south west of the park. Moreover, it has attractive ornamental bridges, facilities and is also the home to most wildlife in the U.K. What I adored about this place is its large area of open grassland, the lake as well as the pond. If I could, I would love to live there and treat it as my humble abode (LOL!).

This upcoming Spring and Summer, don’t hesitate nor think twice about a visit to this park in South London. It is just 5 minutes walk from Hackbridge Station and 30 minutes walk from Wallington Station. And if you are driving, a car park which opens from 8:00 A.M. to nightfall is also waiting for you and, is absolutely free of charge!

See you there!