“Ever heard of a place that’s almost disappeared?” That’s Summerstown in southwest London. It sits quietly on the border of Wandsworth and Merton. Summerstown may seem like just another London suburb now. But it has a unique story to tell.
Once, Summerstown was a distinct community. Today, developments have blurred its edges. Only road signs hint at its past. But let’s rewind to Summerstown’s beginnings. In the Middle Ages, the River Wandle powered mills here. Villagers from nearby Garratt worked there. By 1631, “Dutchmen” made kettles and frying pans in Summerstown. Huguenot refugees wove silk and made wigs.
The 1800s saw Summerstown’s population boom. Many of the buildings you see today went up then. For example, the St Clement Danes almshouses were built in 1848-9. They’re council housing now. Summerstown’s parish church also rose in the 19th century. A chapel came first in 1836. It grew in 1861 and 1870. By 1903, St Mary’s Church was built. It stands near Garratt Lane. It’s changed little since then.
The 20th century brought tough times to Summerstown. World War I claimed 182 local lives. Summerstown’s war memorial honors them inside St Mary’s Church. World War II hit hard too. In 1944, a V2 rocket struck Hazelhurst Road. Thirty-five people died and over a hundred were injured. Afterwards, the council built the Hazelhurst estate in 1969-73.
Between 1961 and 1968, Marc Bolan lived in Summerstown. He later became a glam rock star. He worked as a dishwasher and busked outside the Prince of Wales pub. There are plans for a plaque to remember Bolan’s time here.
Today, St Mary’s Church is still active. Services take place every Sunday morning. The Summerstown 182 project keeps local history alive. Geoff Simmons founded it. The project has put up plaques for people like Sidney Lewis and Sadie Crawford.
Summerstown is also home to By The Horns Brewing Co. It’s on the site of Marc Bolan’s old house. The brewers even named an ale “Cosmic Warrior” after him. Wimbledon Stadium was here too. It hosted dog races and other events. It closed in 2017. AFC Wimbledon’s new stadium stands there now.
Summerstown is changing. But its story lives on in its streets, its church, and its people. Take a walk around. See if you can feel the echoes of its past.