Coulsdon
Encyclopedia
Coulsdon is a town on the southernmost boundary of the London Borough of Croydon
. It is surrounded by the Metropolitan Green Belt
of the Farthing Down, Coulsdon Common and Kenley Common. The modern area designated Coulsdon comprises Old Coulsdon
, which was the older and first settlement, and Smitham Bottom, which grew substantially with the coming of the railways.
, an ancient church recorded in the Domesday book, Marlpit, a former industrial chalk quarry, and the former Cane Hill Mental Hospital (a site currently under development). Appearing in the Domesday Book
as Colesdone it boasted one church and rendered £7 to Chertsey Abbey
. Its only other Domesday assets were 3½ hide
, 7 plough
s, and woodland
worth 3 hogs.
Prior to Domesday, the village's name appears to have gone through a number of changes. Originally it seems to have derived from Cuðrædsdun, i.e. Cuthred's down (or hill), via Curedesdone (675), subsequently elided to Curresdone and Cullesdune.
The town later lay within the Anglo-Saxon
administrative division of Wallington
hundred
, but is now firmly established as a locality in its own right. Indeed, Coulsdon now covers a multitude of geographical settlements - from Old Coulsdon, through Coulsdon Woods, the High Street (Brighton Road), properly Smitham Bottom, to the Mount (Clockhouse).
Coulsdon and Purley have a local history society called The Bourne Society. This takes its name from the seasonal bourne stream that runs in wet winters in the district.
Formerly within the administrative county of Surrey, as part of the Urban District of Coulsdon and Purley, boundary changes, London Government Act 1963
, meant that in 1965 it became part of the Greater London Borough of Croydon. Coulsdon remains postally as 'Surrey'.
The area between Smitham and Old Coulsdon was filled by housing development in the later 19th and especially the 20th centuries. The two centres still, however, have separate characters, with the village green, parade of shops and mediaeval church giving a 'village' feel to Old Coulsdon, while the Brighton Road and the railway give the old Smitham Bottom a bustling, busier atmosphere.
Coulsdon has recently benefited from the long awaited bypass, a relief road called the Farthing Way, which opened in December 2006 as part of The Coulsdon Town Centre Improvement Scheme. Whilst mourning the loss of Woolworth's
and the local bookstore in recent years, the pub The Pembroke and Café Nero opened in the past few years. Coulsdon also contains the head office of Jane's Information Group
. Tesco
have opened an 'Express' branch in the old Woolworths store.
Around Coulsdon are attractive and important open spaces, largely chalk
downland
which is on the northern edge of the North Downs
. Farthing Down and Happy Valley are owned by the City of London Corporation and are popular with walkers. The London LOOP
footpath around London passes through on the route between Hamsey Green
and Banstead
. The Coulsdon section was the first of the 24 to be opened.
Football Club participate in the Combined Counties League
Division One. Chipstead Rugby CLub play locally at The Meads, Chipstead, offering mini, youth, adult social and adult league rugby.
Old Coulsdon once boasted one of the oldest cricket clubs in the world – founded in 1762. Old Coulsdon were one of the strongest teams in the country in the late 18th century / early 19th century and once boasted 8 Internationals (England) in their ranks, as well as a young Stuart Surridge. The club was quite possibly the first to use three stumps and two bails and frequently played matches on the most famous early Cricket grounds such as Mitcham, and later in Grange Park in the village. In 1995 falling player numbers forced the club to merge with the nearby Redhill Cricket Club and the newly formed club still exists to this day, playing at the Ring on Earlswood Common in Redhill as Redhill & Old Coulsdon Cricket Club.
The Coulsdon Martial Arts Club (also known as Yoshin Ryu) is long established and very popular with children and adults. Founded and led by Errol Field, 6th dan Judo, 4rd dan Karate, 6th dan Ju Jitsu.
Old Coulsdon Hash House Harriers
http://www.och3.org.uk combine fitness with a post-run pub drink.
An eighteen hole golf course is available in the grounds of Coulsdon Manor Hotel http://www.coulsdoncourt.co.uk. Green bowls is available next door !
There are several public parks which host a range of sporting activities. The Memorial Gardens has an adventure park, crazy golf, basketball, tennis, cricket and, in the summer, 'beach games' and events organised by the café. Grange Park (Old Coulsdon) has a playground, football pitches and is widely used for picnics. Rickman Hill Park hosts football, and has a children's playground, and tennis courts that (2009) are being refurbished.
Ten pin bowling, Fitness First and Fight Factory http://www.fightfactory.co.uk are to be found in the locality, near Reedham rail station.
Walking, and horse riding are popular activities on the downs. And, of course, Coulsdon is a key vantage point from which to witness any of the London-Brighton rallies http://www.lbvcr.com/; http://www.london-to-brighton.co.uk/ .
There was previously a station at Coulsdon North
, adjacent to Smitham station.
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...
. It is surrounded by the Metropolitan Green Belt
Metropolitan Green Belt
The Metropolitan Green Belt is a statutory green belt around London, England. It includes designated parts of Greater London and the surrounding counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey in the South East and East of England regions.-History:The...
of the Farthing Down, Coulsdon Common and Kenley Common. The modern area designated Coulsdon comprises Old Coulsdon
Old Coulsdon
Old Coulsdon is a small village near Coulsdon in London, England and part of the London Borough of Croydon.The nearest station is Coulsdon South.-Schools:*****Oasis Academy Coulsdon was formerly Coulsdon High School...
, which was the older and first settlement, and Smitham Bottom, which grew substantially with the coming of the railways.
History
Coulsdon is a small suburban district in South London, England. It has a strong and vibrant local history, which includes Saxon burial mounds and an Iron Age Field System on Farthing DownsFarthing Downs
Farthing Downs is an open space in Coulsdon in the London Borough of Croydon. Together with New Hill to the south-east, it is owned and managed by the Corporation of London. It is also part of the Farthing Downs and Happy Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest, notified in 1975. Happy Valley is...
, an ancient church recorded in the Domesday book, Marlpit, a former industrial chalk quarry, and the former Cane Hill Mental Hospital (a site currently under development). Appearing in the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
as Colesdone it boasted one church and rendered £7 to Chertsey Abbey
Chertsey Abbey
Chertsey Abbey, dedicated to St Peter, was a Benedictine monastery located at Chertsey in the English county of Surrey.It was founded by Saint Erkenwald, later Bishop of London, in 666 AD and he became the first abbot. In the 9th century it was sacked by the Danes and refounded from Abingdon Abbey...
. Its only other Domesday assets were 3½ hide
Hide (unit)
The hide was originally an amount of land sufficient to support a household, but later in Anglo-Saxon England became a unit used in assessing land for liability to "geld", or land tax. The geld would be collected at a stated rate per hide...
, 7 plough
Plough
The plough or plow is a tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting. It has been a basic instrument for most of recorded history, and represents one of the major advances in agriculture...
s, and woodland
Woodland
Ecologically, a woodland is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of shrubs and herbaceous plants including grasses. Woodland may form a transition to shrubland under drier conditions or during early stages of...
worth 3 hogs.
Prior to Domesday, the village's name appears to have gone through a number of changes. Originally it seems to have derived from Cuðrædsdun, i.e. Cuthred's down (or hill), via Curedesdone (675), subsequently elided to Curresdone and Cullesdune.
The town later lay within the Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
administrative division of Wallington
Wallington (hundred)
Wallington was an ancient hundred in the north east of the county of Surrey, England. The majority of its area has been absorbed by the growth of London; with its name currently referring to the district of Wallington...
hundred
Hundred (division)
A hundred is a geographic division formerly used in England, Wales, Denmark, South Australia, some parts of the United States, Germany , Sweden, Finland and Norway, which historically was used to divide a larger region into smaller administrative divisions...
, but is now firmly established as a locality in its own right. Indeed, Coulsdon now covers a multitude of geographical settlements - from Old Coulsdon, through Coulsdon Woods, the High Street (Brighton Road), properly Smitham Bottom, to the Mount (Clockhouse).
Coulsdon and Purley have a local history society called The Bourne Society. This takes its name from the seasonal bourne stream that runs in wet winters in the district.
Formerly within the administrative county of Surrey, as part of the Urban District of Coulsdon and Purley, boundary changes, London Government Act 1963
London Government Act 1963
The London Government Act 1963 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which recognised officially the conurbation known as Greater London and created a new local government structure for the capital. The Act significantly reduced the number of local government districts in the area,...
, meant that in 1965 it became part of the Greater London Borough of Croydon. Coulsdon remains postally as 'Surrey'.
The area between Smitham and Old Coulsdon was filled by housing development in the later 19th and especially the 20th centuries. The two centres still, however, have separate characters, with the village green, parade of shops and mediaeval church giving a 'village' feel to Old Coulsdon, while the Brighton Road and the railway give the old Smitham Bottom a bustling, busier atmosphere.
Coulsdon has recently benefited from the long awaited bypass, a relief road called the Farthing Way, which opened in December 2006 as part of The Coulsdon Town Centre Improvement Scheme. Whilst mourning the loss of Woolworth's
Woolworths Group
Woolworths Group plc was a listed British company that owned the high-street retail chain, Woolworths, as well as other brands such as the entertainment distributor Entertainment UK and book and resource distributor Bertram Books...
and the local bookstore in recent years, the pub The Pembroke and Café Nero opened in the past few years. Coulsdon also contains the head office of Jane's Information Group
Jane's Information Group
Jane's Information Group is a publishing company specializing in transportation and military topics.-History:It was founded by Fred T...
. Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
have opened an 'Express' branch in the old Woolworths store.
Around Coulsdon are attractive and important open spaces, largely chalk
Chalk
Chalk is a soft, white, porous sedimentary rock, a form of limestone composed of the mineral calcite. Calcite is calcium carbonate or CaCO3. It forms under reasonably deep marine conditions from the gradual accumulation of minute calcite plates shed from micro-organisms called coccolithophores....
downland
Downland
A downland is an area of open chalk hills. This term is especially used to describe the chalk countryside in southern England. Areas of downland are often referred to as Downs....
which is on the northern edge of the North Downs
North Downs
The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east England that stretch from Farnham in Surrey to the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent. The North Downs lie within two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty , the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs...
. Farthing Down and Happy Valley are owned by the City of London Corporation and are popular with walkers. The London LOOP
London Outer Orbital Path
The London Outer Orbital Path — more usually the "London LOOP" — is a signed walk along public footpaths, and through parks, woods and fields around the edge of Outer London, England, described as "the M25 for walkers"...
footpath around London passes through on the route between Hamsey Green
Hamsey Green
Hamsey Green is a place on the plateau of the North Downs between the villages of Sanderstead to the north and Warlingham to the south. It is split almost across the centre east and west with the southern part in the Tandridge district of Surrey...
and Banstead
Banstead
Banstead is a town in the borough of Reigate and Banstead in the county of Surrey, England, on the border with Greater London. It lies south of London, west of Croydon and of the county town of Kingston-Upon-Thames. Banstead is on the North Downs and is protected by the Metropolitan Green Belt;...
. The Coulsdon section was the first of the 24 to be opened.
Places of Religious interest
Places of worship in Coulsdon include:- St Mary and St Shenouda, a Coptic Orthodox church,
- St Andrew's Anglican churchhttp://www.standrews.coulsdon.net/,
- St Aidan's Roman Catholic church http://www.st-aidans-parish.org.uk/,
- The Brighton Road Methodist church,
- CCF, Coulsdon Christian Felowship http://www.ccfworld.com,
- a Messianic SynagogueJewish MessiahMessiah, ; mashiah, moshiah, mashiach, or moshiach, is a term used in the Hebrew Bible to describe priests and kings, who were traditionally anointed with holy anointing oil as described in Exodus 30:22-25...
, - St John's Anglican church (Old Coulsdon),
- St Mary's Roman Catholic church (Old Coulsdon),
- Old Coulsdon Congregational Church (Old Coulsdon).
- Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Sports
Purley John Fisher Rugby Football Club in the splendidly named Parsons Pightle in Old Coulsdon. Coulsdon UnitedCoulsdon United F.C.
Coulsdon Town Football Club is a football club based in Coulsdon, Greater London, England. The club plays its football in the Surrey Elite Intermediate League. The club is sponsored by Sainsbury's and Walter & Mair Estate Agents.-History:...
Football Club participate in the Combined Counties League
Combined Counties Football League
The Combined Counties Football League is a regional English football league currently comprising teams from southwestern Greater London, Surrey, small parts of Hampshire and Berkshire, and Guernsey...
Division One. Chipstead Rugby CLub play locally at The Meads, Chipstead, offering mini, youth, adult social and adult league rugby.
Old Coulsdon once boasted one of the oldest cricket clubs in the world – founded in 1762. Old Coulsdon were one of the strongest teams in the country in the late 18th century / early 19th century and once boasted 8 Internationals (England) in their ranks, as well as a young Stuart Surridge. The club was quite possibly the first to use three stumps and two bails and frequently played matches on the most famous early Cricket grounds such as Mitcham, and later in Grange Park in the village. In 1995 falling player numbers forced the club to merge with the nearby Redhill Cricket Club and the newly formed club still exists to this day, playing at the Ring on Earlswood Common in Redhill as Redhill & Old Coulsdon Cricket Club.
The Coulsdon Martial Arts Club (also known as Yoshin Ryu) is long established and very popular with children and adults. Founded and led by Errol Field, 6th dan Judo, 4rd dan Karate, 6th dan Ju Jitsu.
Old Coulsdon Hash House Harriers
Hash House Harriers
The Hash House Harriers is an international group of non-competitive running, social and drinking clubs...
http://www.och3.org.uk combine fitness with a post-run pub drink.
An eighteen hole golf course is available in the grounds of Coulsdon Manor Hotel http://www.coulsdoncourt.co.uk. Green bowls is available next door !
There are several public parks which host a range of sporting activities. The Memorial Gardens has an adventure park, crazy golf, basketball, tennis, cricket and, in the summer, 'beach games' and events organised by the café. Grange Park (Old Coulsdon) has a playground, football pitches and is widely used for picnics. Rickman Hill Park hosts football, and has a children's playground, and tennis courts that (2009) are being refurbished.
Ten pin bowling, Fitness First and Fight Factory http://www.fightfactory.co.uk are to be found in the locality, near Reedham rail station.
Walking, and horse riding are popular activities on the downs. And, of course, Coulsdon is a key vantage point from which to witness any of the London-Brighton rallies http://www.lbvcr.com/; http://www.london-to-brighton.co.uk/ .
Education
- Byron Primary School
- Chipstead Valley Primary School
- Coulsdon Church of England Primary School
- Coulsdon Sixth Form College (Formerly Purley High School For BoysPurley High School for BoysPurley High School for Boys existed from 1914 to 1988. It was located in Placehouse Lane, Old Coulsdon, London Borough of Croydon. The school was Purley County Grammar School from 1914 to 1969, becoming Purley High School for Boys after the abolition of the Grammar School system and the...
) - Keston Primary School
- The Lodge
- Oasis Academy Coulsdon (Formerly Coulsdon High School) (Formerly Taunton Manor High School)
- Smitham Primary SchoolSmitham Primary SchoolSmitham Primary School is a school in Coulsdon, in the south of the London borough of Croydon, for 4- to 11-year-olds .The Local Education Authority is Croydon Council...
- St. Aidan's R.C. Primary School
- Wattenden Primary School
- Woodcote High School
- Woodcote Primary School
Nearest places
- BansteadBansteadBanstead is a town in the borough of Reigate and Banstead in the county of Surrey, England, on the border with Greater London. It lies south of London, west of Croydon and of the county town of Kingston-Upon-Thames. Banstead is on the North Downs and is protected by the Metropolitan Green Belt;...
- CarshaltonCarshaltonCarshalton is a suburban area of the London Borough of Sutton, England. It is located 10 miles south-southwest of Charing Cross, situated in the valley of the River Wandle, one of the sources of which is Carshalton Ponds in the centre of the village. The combined population of the five wards...
- CaterhamCaterhamCaterham is a town in the Tandridge District of Surrey, England. The town is geographically divided into two sections: Caterham on the Hill and Caterham Valley - the main town centre. The town lies close to the A22, a few miles south of Croydon, in a valley cut into the dip slope of the North Downs...
- CroydonCroydonCroydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
- KenleyKenleyKenley is a district in the south of the London Borough of Croydon. It borders Purley, Coulsdon, Riddlesdown, Caterham and Whyteleafe. Kenley is situated 13 miles south of Charing Cross. The 2001 census showed Kenley having a population of 13,525....
- Old CoulsdonOld CoulsdonOld Coulsdon is a small village near Coulsdon in London, England and part of the London Borough of Croydon.The nearest station is Coulsdon South.-Schools:*****Oasis Academy Coulsdon was formerly Coulsdon High School...
- PurleyPurley, LondonPurley is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, England. It is a suburban development situated 11.7 miles south of Charing Cross.The name derives from "pirlea", which means 'Peartree lea'. Purley has a population of about 72,000....
- Reedham
- South CroydonSouth CroydonSouth Croydon is a locality in Greater London, the area surrounding the valley south of central Croydon about 1 km in radius, centred on the Red Deer public house on the Brighton Road. It is part of the South Croydon post town and in the London Borough of Croydon...
- WallingtonWallington, LondonWallington is a town in the London Borough of Sutton situated south south-west of Charing Cross. Prior to the merger of the Municipal Borough of Beddington and Wallington into the London Borough of Sutton, it was part of the county of Surrey.- History :...
Nearby stations
The railway stations in the Coulsdon area are: (formerly Smitham)There was previously a station at Coulsdon North
Coulsdon North railway station
Coulsdon North is a closed railway station on the Brighton Main Line.- Opening :The station was opened as "Stoats Nest and Cane Hill" on 5 November 1899 by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway . It took its name partly from the nearby Cane Hill asylum and partly from the nearby Stoats Nest...
, adjacent to Smitham station.
External links
- Coulsdon Community website
- History of the village of Coulsdon
- Coulsdon relief road scheme.
- The village of Old Coulsdon - well illustrated site.
- Caterham Sea Cadets on Coulsdon Road beside the Common
- Beit Hallel Messianic Synagogue
- St. Mary and St. Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Church - see also St. ShenoudaSaint Shenouda the ArchimandriteSaint Shenoute the Archimandrite was the abbot of the White Monastery in Egypt. He is considered a saint by the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and is one of the most renowned saints of the Coptic Orthodox Church....
- St. Andrews Church - the local Anglican Parish Church
- Coulsdon United Football Club
- Coulsdon Martial Arts