Timeless Stories

As you rush to catch a train, spare a moment to remember the nostalgic days of railway porters and steam trains. Carshalton would have had a head porter, assistant porter, junior porter, ticket collector and more. Their duties would include helping passengers, keeping the station clean and tidy, and stoking the waiting room fires in […]

Sir Jeremiah Colman was born at Carshalton Park on 24 April 1859. He lived in the house which stood roughly behind the Sainsbury’s in Carshalton High Street, as seen from the air in the photo above (Cryer Arts is top left). We discover more about his life in Carshalton. Who likes a bit of mustard […]

*Video story* The land at Stanley Road Allotments was purchased by local group BioRegional back in 1996 to reinvigorate the historic lavender-growing industry that was once a major part of Carshalton life. The group then became known as the Local Lavender Scheme before being named ‘Carshalton Lavender’ in 2003. It’s been managed by a team […]

There’s no plaque commemorating the spot, but by the corner of an old walled garden by Oaks Park was the location of a Smithy (a blacksmiths workshop). It was here that John Constable painted White Horse, a famous piece of art now in New York. The Smithy was located at the junction of Fairlawn Road […]

*Video Story* Carshalton has some wonderful countryside on its borders. This particular area is not usually open to the public. Secret Carshalton pays a visit to the Downlands Partnership HQ to meet some cute lambs and enjoy the surprising views. This video can also be viewed on the Secret Carshalton YouTube channel. Please subscribe. Connected […]

Secret Carshalton was invited to crawl through a Wandle Spring Head. It’s on private land owned by the Sisters of The Cross of Liège, and maintained by the Friends of Carshalton Water Tower. An area better known as the grounds of St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls. Having grappled with the rusty lock (thanks […]

Which charity is most deserving of your hard-earned cash? This innovative evening event sets to find out. As contestants battle it out the audience has the final say when voting begins. Set within a fun and lighthearted framework, punters pay a fiver to get in and enjoy some delicious homemade soup to boot. Each charity […]

*Historical* There’s at least 5 things we don’t currently know for certain about The Hope pub in West Street, but this rare coin could help. Let’s go… 1 When it was built Not much appears to survive of the original building. Though a find underneath a hearth of a rare 1776 coin may indicate the […]