Norwood Park (London)
51°25′30″N 0°5′38″W / 51.42500°N 0.09389°W
| Norwood Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | London, SE19 United Kingdom |
| Operated by | Lambeth Council |
| Public transit access |  Gipsy Hill |
| Website | https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/parks/norwood-park |
Norwood Park is a 13.3-hectare (33-acre) park located in West Norwood. The park is bordered by Elder Road, Central Hill and Salter's Hill in South East London. The park is managed by Lambeth Council and the community group known as “Friends of Norwood Park”. It sits on one of the highest points in Lambeth.[1] For a number of years, the concrete sports pitch has been used by Flatland BMX riders who refer to it as 'The Green Mile' or 'TGM' for short.[2]
History
[edit]In the 13th century, the Great North Wood, in addition to being a food source, was "a vital supplier of timber for the Royal Dockyards at Deptford".[3] At one point the land was called Elder Hole Coppice (giving the name to nearby Elder Road).[4] As the wood was gradually lost to city development in the early 19th Century, the remaining 33 acres of green space was finally bought from the then owners the Ecclesiastical Commissioners (paid for by Lambeth Council, London County Council and community donations) in 1903 to develop the park for local residents, officially opening 14 June 1911.[5][4][6]
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The river Effra also ran through the park, at its southern point.[7] Three eighteenth century cottages were at a point on the park land, separated behind Elder Road by the Effra and a bridge. The houses were slowly removed as the park formalised, one remained and kept as a storehouse until 1942 when it burnt down.[8][9]
During World War 2 an outdoor theatre was erected to entertain locals, pierrot troupes would be a common performance as people in the city would be less able to go to the seaside.[4]
In 2011 the park celebrated its centenary.[5]
Facilities
[edit]
There is a BMX track, hungry hippos cafe, two playgrounds and panoramic view of the city of London which can be enjoyed at benches at the top of a central hill in the park.[10]
There is a traditional children's playground with multi-coloured equipment for smaller children. Salter's Hill playground (which had a more detailed adventure playground layout) has been largely dismantled and there was a public consultation for development in 2022.[11][12]
Friends of Norwood Park
[edit]The park has an active Friends group who work with the community to influence changes and development to facilities in the park. Membership is £5 annually.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Norwood Park | Lambeth Council". www.lambeth.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
- ^ "The Green Mile London - BMX Flatland Riding Spots". Global-flat.com. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
- ^ "Sydenham Hill Wood ~ the largest remnant of the 'Great North Wood'". London Unveiled. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
- ^ a b c Cheeseman, Beryl (2021). "Memories of Norwood Park" (PDF). Norwood Review (234). The Norwood Society: 3–8.
- ^ a b "Norwood Park". Norwood Forum. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Lambeth Archives. "Fundraising leaflet for creation of Norwood Park". Lambeth Landmark. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Herlihy, Olivia (30 November 2022). "River Effra Walk with Map (Self-Guided)". Wandle News. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ McKenzie, Sue (1999). The twentieth century Lambeth. Sutton. p. 21. ISBN 9780750920384.
- ^ "Walking the River Effra – andrewchapman.info". 27 December 2002. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "Park facilities". Friends of Norwood Park. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "Have your say on Salters Hill Playground (Norwood Park) | Norwood Forum". www.norwoodforum.org. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Bablands (15 December 2022). "London's coolest playgrounds by area". Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "About the friends". Friends of Norwood Park. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
