Could you imagine livestock grazing on Riddlesdown not long ago? Today we explore St. James’ Riddlesdown and its surrounding area. It is a place rich in history and natural beauty. Riddlesdown is a residential and rural area. It sits between Purley and Sanderstead.
Let’s delve into the story of Riddlesdown. It’s located in the London Borough of Croydon. This area offers both town and countryside advantages. Croydon is about three miles away. London is just under 30 minutes away by train. Riddlesdown Open Space is one of its most beautiful attractions. It is often called the Common.
The Common and adjoining land are mainly owned by four entities. These are the City of London Corporation, Croydon Council, Tandridge District Council and the Whitgift Foundation. Some private landowners also have land here. The public has a right of way over their land. You might see cattle, sheep and goats grazing.
Interestingly, Riddlesdown and Sanderstead do not have a public house. The nearest pubs are in Purley, Selsdon and Kenley. The Good Companions in Hamsey Green closed in 2012. This absence of pubs is due to historical reasons. The Atwood family and the Rector of the church were against drinking. They added a restrictive covenant on all land.
Riddlesdown’s name was first recorded in 1331 as Ridelesdoune. It is believed to mean cleared woodland in medieval English.
The City of London bought most of the land in 1883. This stopped the lord of the manor from enclosing it. The Croydon to Oxted railway line was completed the following year. Victorian day trippers flocked to the Downs.
Riddlesdown plays a central role in the lives of local people. The Riddlesdown Residents Association used to host a Fun Day. Sadly this has stopped due to financial constraints.
Riddlesdown is a wildlife haven with chalk bedrock. This bedrock supports unusual flowers and grasses. You can find bee orchids, St. John’s wort and salad burnet here. Woodland birds also thrive here.
Archaeologists believe that Riddlesdown Road was once a Roman road. It linked London to Portslade. The road was likely built around 150 AD. It was a key route for corn transport.
Saxon graves were found along Riddlesdown Road. This suggests the road was still in use 1400 years ago. In the eighteenth century, it was the main route to Brighton.
The Coulsdon Commons have been declared part of a new National Nature Reserve. It is known as the South London Downs National Nature Reserve.
Riddlesdown has seen heavy industry and pleasure gardens. It even has secret passages under the downs. For most of its history, it was used as pasture. The site was much more open then.
William Gardner opened a tea garden in 1892. It was called Gardner’s Pleasure Resort. Londoners enjoyed rides, a monkey house and swing boats.
Chalk was mined at Riddlesdown Quarry from the late 1700s until 1967. Riddlesdown Rifle Range opened in 1860. Volunteers practiced shooting here. An air raid shelter was opened during the Second World War. It housed 100,000 people over two years.
As we conclude our visit to St. James’ Riddlesdown, remember its layers of history. From Roman roads to Saxon graves, from pleasure gardens to wartime shelters, Riddlesdown has stories etched into its very landscape.