Forgotten places

Charles Henry Thatcher was the officer in charge of the Carshalton Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) that operated from this lock-up in The Square, Carshalton. Charles won a medal for his service during the Blitz of 1940. But briefly, what was the AFS? The Auxiliary Fire Service was set up in 1938 as a voluntary body […]

*Historical* This is Wallace House that stood off Pound Street in Carshalton. It was lived in by the sisters known locally as ‘The Misses Wallace’. The two sisters were highly regarded as in the 1880s they set up a special ‘soup kitchen’ to help the poor of the district. Carshalton experienced poverty and social disparity, characteristic […]

*Historical* This eye-catching iron structure in Park Lane was known as a ‘tin tabernacle’. Once commonplace, these buildings are increasingly rare to find. Infact according to Historic England, there’s believed to be only 80 buildings like this left across the UK, with just 20 listed. If we’ve peaked your interest, read on to discover more […]

If you know of Butter Hill in Wallington you may have often wondered what was there before the 1930s estate was built. Let’s find out more… Butter Hill estate was constructed on the grounds of a large house called Elm Grove. It’s not clear when the lovely old home was built, but it was here […]

EXCLUSIVE Time gentlemen, please!! This former drill sergeant knew how to get respect from his customers at the popular Kings Arms in Carshalton High Street. Mr Harlow (pictured above) was the publican at the old pub which stood where Co-op supermarket currently is. Sadly, during the Blitz of October 1940, a bomb was dropped on […]

*Historical* This recently discovered photo featuring an ornamental pond and rockery is absolutely stunning. It would have been part of the gardens of the last private owners of The Grove mansion, and possibly laid out by them – though at the time of writing this isn’t clear. For whatever reason the pond was filled 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 […]

*Historical* The image above is a recreation of how an ancient iron age settlement looks, and is similar to the farmstead that once existed at a high point by Carshalton Park. It was situated around the patch of land, pictured below, behind the fence on the corner of two roads, The Park and Park Close. […]

*Historical* Stone Court was owned and lived in by the Lord of the Manor of Carshalton, who had planned to build a far grander country home in nearby Carshalton Park. However Thomas Scawen squandered much of his cash and never finished his new home, and Stone Court was eventually sold off to pay debts… Thomas […]