Elmers End
Encyclopedia
Elmers End is a place in London Borough of Bromley
, England
. It has a large green space which is the centre of a gyratory. Very close to the combined railway station and Tramlink
terminus bearing its name is the old sewage farm. The remains of this industrial site can still be seen. The sewage
works is thought to be contaminated with heavy metals and is therefore unfit for building houses.
There are two leading theories about where the name Elmers End originated. The more romantic of the two is that a famous highwayman, Elmer, was hung at the crossroads, making it ‘Elmer’s end’. The less romantic, but possibly more historically accurate, reason is that there were a lot of elm trees in the area. This would, of course, logically result in the location being called Elms End. However the original Victorian railway companies were notorious for both getting place names wrong when naming their stations and for trying to make station names grander than was really justified so this explanation is quite plausible had it not been for the fact that Elmers End as a name clearly predates the coming of the railway by at least ten years.
The sewage farm has been converted into a country park South Norwood Country Park
, but many of the locals still know it as the sewage farm. The park falls within the boundaries of the London Borough of Croydon
.
The old industrial estate which was on the south side of the railway track has mostly closed down. It is now a Tesco
superstore. The former Bolloms paint factory site, on the opposite side of the road has been redeveloped into an industrial estate.
Elmers End station
is a terminus for Tramlink
services to Croydon
as well as being on the railway between London Charing Cross and Hayes, Bromley
.
The main Beckenham Crematorium is situated between South Norwood Country Park and Birkbeck
. Also known as Elmers End Cemetery, it contains the final resting places of such notable people as W.G. Grace, Frank Bourne
, Thomas Crapper
, Jerzy Wołkowicki, William Stanley and George Evans (VC)
who won a Victoria Cross
in 1916.
London Borough of Bromley
The London Borough of Bromley is a London borough of south east London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in the borough is Bromley.-Geography:...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It has a large green space which is the centre of a gyratory. Very close to the combined railway station and Tramlink
Tramlink
Tramlink is a tramway system in south London in the United Kingdom which began operation in May 2000...
terminus bearing its name is the old sewage farm. The remains of this industrial site can still be seen. The sewage
Sewage
Sewage is water-carried waste, in solution or suspension, that is intended to be removed from a community. Also known as wastewater, it is more than 99% water and is characterized by volume or rate of flow, physical condition, chemical constituents and the bacteriological organisms that it contains...
works is thought to be contaminated with heavy metals and is therefore unfit for building houses.
There are two leading theories about where the name Elmers End originated. The more romantic of the two is that a famous highwayman, Elmer, was hung at the crossroads, making it ‘Elmer’s end’. The less romantic, but possibly more historically accurate, reason is that there were a lot of elm trees in the area. This would, of course, logically result in the location being called Elms End. However the original Victorian railway companies were notorious for both getting place names wrong when naming their stations and for trying to make station names grander than was really justified so this explanation is quite plausible had it not been for the fact that Elmers End as a name clearly predates the coming of the railway by at least ten years.
The sewage farm has been converted into a country park South Norwood Country Park
South Norwood Country Park
South Norwood Country Park is a park in South Norwood, close to Elmers End station, mainly in the London Borough of Croydon. It is a 47 hectare green space which opened in 1989...
, but many of the locals still know it as the sewage farm. The park falls within the boundaries of 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...
.
The old industrial estate which was on the south side of the railway track has mostly closed down. It is now a 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...
superstore. The former Bolloms paint factory site, on the opposite side of the road has been redeveloped into an industrial estate.
Elmers End station
Elmers End station
Elmers End station is a railway station and tram terminus in Elmers End, South London, England. It is in the London Borough of Bromley, and Travelcard Zone 4 south of London Charing Cross....
is a terminus for Tramlink
Tramlink
Tramlink is a tramway system in south London in the United Kingdom which began operation in May 2000...
services to Croydon
Croydon
Croydon 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...
as well as being on the railway between London Charing Cross and Hayes, Bromley
Hayes, Bromley
Hayes is a place in the London Borough of Bromley, south-east London, England. It has two main areas of activity: the ancient village and suburban Hayes.-The ancient village of Nimrods :...
.
The main Beckenham Crematorium is situated between South Norwood Country Park and Birkbeck
Birkbeck station
Birkbeck station is a railway station and light rail stop in the London Borough of Bromley in the southern suburbs of London. It is located on Elmers End Road and alongside Beckenham Crematorium.- Network rail :...
. Also known as Elmers End Cemetery, it contains the final resting places of such notable people as W.G. Grace, Frank Bourne
Frank Bourne
Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Edward Bourne OBE DCM was a decorated British soldier who participated in the defence of Rorke's Drift during the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War. He was also the last known survivor of the battle.-Early life:...
, Thomas Crapper
Thomas Crapper
Thomas Crapper was a plumber who founded Thomas Crapper & Co. in London. Contrary to widespread misconceptions, Crapper did not invent the flush toilet. He did, however, do much to increase the popularity of the toilet, and developed some important related inventions, such as the ballcock...
, Jerzy Wołkowicki, William Stanley and George Evans (VC)
George Evans (VC)
George Evans VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
who won a Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
in 1916.
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