IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Grange Road, LONDON, SE25 6TG

On the nearby lamp-post, the sign marking the entrance to Hythe Path. In the distance, the top of the Norwood Heights, curving around to the west.

A narrow path linking Hythe Road to Buller Road. At this point on the climb from Thornton Heath up to the Norwood Heights, roads often contour along the slope at different levels, and public footpaths like this provide the only way to cut across the grain of the street pattern and drop downwards more directly.

Grangewood was originally part of the Manor of Whitehorse and the wood known as Whitehorse Wood was part of the Great North Wood. In 1800 the wood was completely surrounded by fields but by the mid 19th century the east and west sides of Whitehorse Wood were cleared for development, whilst the remaining 30 acres to the east of Grange Road were developed as a private estate. This now forms Grangewood Park. It had a mansion at the centre with extensive gardens to the south. Croydon Corporation bought Grangewood Park in 1900. The mansion and grounds were badly damaged in the Second World War and the house was demolished in 1960. The formal garden at the centre of the park marks the site. When the Council acquired the park they built a bandstand but this was also demolished after the Second World War. On the day I was walking into the park, a nearby bonfire was adding its smoke to the autumn sunlight streaming through the trees.

Rose Garden in Grangewood Park.

Leading out through the park gates round the bend.

French-speakers look away now: multi-lingual rudery on Grange Road.

Partly wooded open space alongside Grange Road, a former private estate with a 19th Century mansion. The estate was bought by Croydon Corporation in 1900, who then developed a number of recreational facilities on part of the site. The mansion was demolished in 1960 having fallen into disrepair. This is the site of the mansion with the layout of the walls retained.