IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Lyall Avenue, LONDON, SE21 8QS

Passing the listed gates shown in Image The late C19 gates, gateposts and splayed wings (which also have gates) are described at http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1385884&searchtype=mapsearch . The junction beyond is with Lyall Avenue.

Somewhat eroded, the name is on the right-hand gate pillar seen in Image The gates stood at the head of the drive to Kingswood House. The drive is now a path within the 1950s Kingswood Estate. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/events-culture-and-heritage/explore-culture-in-southwark/heritage-and-local-history/historic-southwark/kingswood-house?chapter=2

Grade II listed entrance on the corner of Lyall Avenue and Kingswood Drive. The formal entrance leads towards Kingswood House, now library and community centre.

The gateway is at the head of the old drive to Kingswood House, now at the heart of the 1950s Kingswood Estate. An OS map of 1895 shows a lodge to the south (left) of the gates. Kingswood Drive turned sharply uphill (behind the camera) and joined College Road as at present. Things had changed: on a map of 1875 College Road was Church Road. A short spur off Church Road went down to these gates. The name 'Kingswood' is carved on the right-hand gate pillar Image The church referred to was St Stephen's, up on the hill to the east of Sydenham Hill station. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/events-culture-and-heritage/explore-culture-in-southwark/heritage-and-local-history/historic-southwark/kingswood-house?chapter=2

By Banks and Barry, 1867-75. Of ragstone, with an impressive tower which does not actually lean - that's just camera distortion. Grade II listed.

Kingswood House was re-built much as it is today by John Lawson Johnson in the late 1800s, and became known as Bovril Castle. Johnson, a butcher by trade, invented Bovril. The House became the nucleus of the Kingswood Estate in 1956. It is now a grade 2 listed mansion known as Kingswood House, but is affectionately called ‘The Castle’. It contains a library, function rooms, offices, and rooms for community events. The top of the ubiquitous Crystal Palace TV Transmitter can be seen behind.

Kingswood House was re-built much as it is today by John Lawson Johnson in the late 1800s, and became known as Bovril Castle. Johnson, a butcher by trade, invented Bovril. In 1919 Sir William Vestey was granted an 80 year lease on the House and when he was made a Lord in 1922 he took the title Baron Vestey of Kingswood. The House became the nucleus of the Kingswood Estate in 1956. It is now a grade 2 listed mansion known as Kingswood House, but is affectionately called ‘The Castle’. It contains a library, function rooms, offices, and rooms for community events. The ubiquitous Crystal Palace TV Transmitter can be seen behind.

View northward towards Dulwich Village and eventually London, from corner of Hitherwood Road. (This was my daily walk commuting from Sydenham Hill station, which is a little further up).