Ashburton Playing Fields
Encyclopedia
Ashburton Playing Fields is a playing field located in Woodside
, London
. It is managed by the London Borough of Croydon
. Monks Orchard, the playing fields run from Bywood Avenue in the north to Chaucer Green in the west and Woodville Avenue in the east, the houses in Stroud Green Way back onto the western boundary. Tramlink
service for the park are Arena
and Woodside
- Route 1
and Route 2
. It covers an area of 49.5 acres (20 ha).
The ground is open all the time although the sports pitches and use of changing rooms has to be booked via Sports bookingshttp://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parksrecreation/additionalitems/openspacesa-z/ashburtonplayfields.
The Playing Fields and adjacent areas have a long sporting history. Until well into the late Victorian age a race-course thrived on the ground behind the Woodside Fire Station, with the site covering the Stroud Green housing estate, Ashburton School and Ashburton Playing Fields.
It is said that King James I established public horse racing at Croydon early in his reign. The course was shaped like a "short-tailed" figure 9 (with the top pointing towards the north-east) bounded on the north by Lower Addiscombe Road and Long Lane, and on the east by what is now Bywood Avenue. The Chaffinch Brook marked its southeast edge, with a terminal straight coming back towards Shirley Road on the line of Elmhurst Road, past the grandstand and finishing in front of what is now Ashburton School. The Grand Stand was just east the end of the present Shirley Park Road, near the present tennis courts.(Source: 1888 4" map by GM Dacon of The Strand, London)
Woodside station, which was opened in 1871, brought race-goers to the course, as well as providing access by rail to Addiscombe, and via New Beckenham to London. Because the down side of the station was below road level, a ramp was constructed to enable horses to be brought out of the station, and the exit from the platform is noticeably high, high enough for a horse to be ridden through it.
The race course closed following pressure from the Mayor of Croydon who considered that the races only brought a lot of undesirables down from London. The race track was brought by Beckenham Golf Course and was used as a golf course for a number of years, the Club House was situated behind the fire station site. The area was acquired by the Council for housing and playing fields in 1942.http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parksrecreation/additionalitems/openspacesa-z/parkshistory/ashburtonpfhistory?a=5441
Woodside, London
Woodside is a neighbourhood in the London Borough of Croydon located between Addiscombe and South Norwood.-History:Woodside is a suburban district of residential streets based around Woodside Green, a small sized area of green land. At one end of the green is a war memorial. It is surrounded by...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It is managed by the London Borough of Croydon
London Borough of Croydon
The London Borough of Croydon is a London borough in South London, England and is part of Outer London. It covers an area of and is the largest London borough by population. It is the southernmost borough of London. At its centre is the historic town of Croydon from which the borough takes its name...
. Monks Orchard, the playing fields run from Bywood Avenue in the north to Chaucer Green in the west and Woodville Avenue in the east, the houses in Stroud Green Way back onto the western boundary. Tramlink
Tramlink
Tramlink is a tramway system in south London in the United Kingdom which began operation in May 2000...
service for the park are Arena
Arena tram stop
Arena tram stop is a light rail stop in the Woodside area of South Norwood in the London Borough of Croydon in the southern suburbs of London. The stop is located by the Croydon Sports Arena and serves the council estates of Longheath Gardens Estate and Tollgate Estate.The tram stop is served by...
and Woodside
Woodside tram stop
Woodside tram stop is a light rail stop situated between Woodside Green and Ashburton Park in the London Borough of Croydon in the southern suburbs of London...
- Route 1
Tramlink route 1
Tramlink route 1 is one of three tram routes operated as part of the Tramlink network in south London. The route is operated by London Tramlink, part of Transport for London .- History :...
and Route 2
Tramlink route 2
Tramlink route 2 is one of three tram routes operated as part of the Tramlink network in south London. The route is operated by London Tramlink, part of Transport for London under the Tramlink brand.- History :...
. It covers an area of 49.5 acres (20 ha).
Facilities
- Football pitches
- Changing rooms
- Children's playground
The ground is open all the time although the sports pitches and use of changing rooms has to be booked via Sports bookingshttp://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parksrecreation/additionalitems/openspacesa-z/ashburtonplayfields.
History
This ground, as the name suggests, is mainly dedicated to sports and provides a valuable area of flat land for field events such as football and cricket. With the adjoining Long Lane Woods this gives a continuous recreation area from Shirley to Elmers End. The area is fairly low lying and the Chaffinch Brook runs north through the Playing Fields, in very wet weather drainage problems can arise.The Playing Fields and adjacent areas have a long sporting history. Until well into the late Victorian age a race-course thrived on the ground behind the Woodside Fire Station, with the site covering the Stroud Green housing estate, Ashburton School and Ashburton Playing Fields.
It is said that King James I established public horse racing at Croydon early in his reign. The course was shaped like a "short-tailed" figure 9 (with the top pointing towards the north-east) bounded on the north by Lower Addiscombe Road and Long Lane, and on the east by what is now Bywood Avenue. The Chaffinch Brook marked its southeast edge, with a terminal straight coming back towards Shirley Road on the line of Elmhurst Road, past the grandstand and finishing in front of what is now Ashburton School. The Grand Stand was just east the end of the present Shirley Park Road, near the present tennis courts.(Source: 1888 4" map by GM Dacon of The Strand, London)
Woodside station, which was opened in 1871, brought race-goers to the course, as well as providing access by rail to Addiscombe, and via New Beckenham to London. Because the down side of the station was below road level, a ramp was constructed to enable horses to be brought out of the station, and the exit from the platform is noticeably high, high enough for a horse to be ridden through it.
The race course closed following pressure from the Mayor of Croydon who considered that the races only brought a lot of undesirables down from London. The race track was brought by Beckenham Golf Course and was used as a golf course for a number of years, the Club House was situated behind the fire station site. The area was acquired by the Council for housing and playing fields in 1942.http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parksrecreation/additionalitems/openspacesa-z/parkshistory/ashburtonpfhistory?a=5441
See also
- List of Parks and Open Spaces in Croydon
- Ashburton ParkAshburton ParkAshburton Park is a park located in Woodside, in the London Borough of Croydon, and takes its name from nearby Ashburton. The park is located next to Woodside tram stop, where Tramlink routes 1 and 2 service the park. It is on the junction of Lower Addiscombe Road and Spring Lane. The park covers...
- AshburtonAshburton, LondonAshburton is a small neighbourhood in the London Borough of Croydon neighbouring South Norwood, Shirley, Addiscombe and Woodside. The area is mostly home to residential houses and flats. Most in the area would describe themselves as living in Shirley or Addiscombe.Ashburton was named after...
- Croydon Sports Arena