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

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.

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 from the north-eastern corner of Mill Hill down a path which leads to Windmill Road. The new flats are on the site of a former factory. The site was originally taken from the Common in 1783 for the Mitcham Workhouse. When the workhouse moved to Duppas Hill in Croydon in 1838, the Lord of the Manor refused to return the site to the Common and the factory was subsequently built there.

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.