IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Talbot Close, MITCHAM, CR4 1FD

A rectangular bite was taken out of the edge of Mitcham Common in 1782 to build a workhouse. This closed in 1838, and instead of reverting to common, the local landowner built a rubber factory on part of the site. In time all of the site was used for industry, up until recent times. Again Mammon prevailed, and instead of reverting to common, the site is here being redeveloped for flats.

This is to Commonside East opposite the end of Abbotts Road.

Heading for a way out to the bounding road, Commonside East.

Mitcham Common was once a much larger area of common pasture. The subsequent survival of the Common was helped by the division between four manors. As the boundaries were unclear, no single lord was emboldened to try to control the whole Common. In the early 19th century, gravel winning began in earnest. It became such a problem with gravel pits being started all over the Common that Mitcham Common was protected under the Metropolitan Commons Act of 1891. With the acquisition of mineral rights from the lords of the manors in 1894, the Conservators of Mitcham Common were able to bring the practice of gravel digging to an end. However, the tipping of domestic refuse on Mitcham Common dramatically altered the previously flat profile of Mitcham Common by creating artificial hills. The highest of these is Mill Hill (named after the nearby former windmill) which was completed in 1960 and subsequently landscaped. This is the view along the foot of Mill Hill's eastern slope. Windmill Road is just to the left of the trees.

Mitcham Common was once a much larger area of common pasture. The subsequent survival of the Common was helped by the division between four manors. As the boundaries were unclear, no single lord was emboldened to try to control the whole Common. In the early 19th century, gravel winning began in earnest. It became such a problem with gravel pits being started all over the Common that Mitcham Common was protected under the Metropolitan Commons Act of 1891. With the acquisition of mineral rights from the lords of the manors in 1894, the Conservators of Mitcham Common were able to bring the practice of gravel digging to an end. However, the tipping of domestic refuse on Mitcham Common dramatically altered the previously flat profile of Mitcham Common by creating artificial hills. The highest of these is Mill Hill (named after the nearby former windmill) which was completed in 1960 and subsequently landscaped. This is the view along the foot of Mill Hill's eastern slope. Windmill Road is just to the left of the trees. Cow parsley is much in evidence.