THE GROVE IN CARSHALTON, SURREY

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Fresh water flows in the river while birds feed and paddle around. Squirrels were determined to crack the collected nuts fallen from the trees and given by happy people in the park.

 

There are no signs of fear in their eyes as no one tries to hunt or threaten their lives. Swans, geese, ducks, seagulls, pigeons and the like give life to the entire public park, where the River Wandle runs. It serves as there green home where some of them live and multiply. These animals are amazingly tame and will follow you if you carry a bag of crumbs.

  (Summer/Spring picture of River Wandle) 

 (Autumn/Winter pictures of River Wandle ) 

There is a historical house in the park that is now occupied by departments of the London Borough of Sutton. A few working offices are there too. The park is enclosed by walls and fences and its gates close at night and open early in the morning. The west corner has a large river which attracts geese and swans etc. Moreover, looking from the river is the Old Woodman Pub and to its right is the Ancient All Saints' Parish Church.

(Top to Bottom, Clockwise: Summer/Spring pictures of Historical house, Old Woodman Pub and
All Saints' Parish Church)

 (Autumn/Winter pictures of Historical house, Old Woodman Pub and All Saints' Parish Church)

This park which run adjacent to Carshalton High Street has a few interesting man made structures like the white bridge called Leoni Bridge, the discarded watermill and the ornamental design cascade. 

 (Summer/Spring pictures of Leoni Bridge and the Cascade)

 (Autumn/Winter pictures of Defunct Watermill and the Cascade)

The park has fixed benches to use when watching the placid water and playful birds. Grasses are mown every week that makes the entire surrounding neat and tidy. The roses are pruned back and the bedding plants are ready to burst into colours. Toddlers, children and teenagers like this park as there are playgrounds full of facilities they can enjoy using for free. Food and snacks are available at the cafeteria beside the toddlers' playground.

 (Summer/Spring pictures of Toddler and Children's playgrounds) 

 

 
(Autumn/Winter pictures of Teenagers ball court and Toddler & Children's playgrounds)

If you want a light snacks and bites take a walk to SaSSiS which is inside the park and beside the family friendly crazy golf playground. On the other hand, there is also a free gym equipment provided by The Great Outdoor Gym Company await for you. The easy-to-use gym equipment are good for burning calories or for strengthening those brittle bones, sore muscles and aching joints of yours.

 (SaSSiS and Crazy Golf Playground)

  

(Hip Twister, The Rider, Push-up/Dip Station and Air Skier)

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!