The renovated Library building has been renovated and renamed as Ashburton Hall. The building was known as the Stroud Green House. It was purchased by Father Tooth to set up a convent. After purchase by the Council, the old convent became the local Ashburton Library. The reading room was in the cloister. It was later demolished in 1975 after repeated vandalism.
Ashburton Hall
The renovated Library building has been renovated and renamed as Ashburton Hall. The building was known as the Stroud Green House. It was purchased by Father Tooth to set up a convent. After purchase by the Council, the old convent became the local Ashburton Library. The reading room was in the cloister. It was later demolished in 1975 after repeated vandalism.
The Park Grounds
The grounds have undergone numerous changes over the centuries. It has had vineyards, stables, an Italian garden, croquet lawn, fine timber and ornamental lake. Today it has a running and walking track that needs to be repaired. There are tennis courts, children’s playground and a bowling green.
There have been complaints about the litter in the park as a result if the fair. These have been raised with the Council who have advised they have spoken to the fair. Emails to write to complain are parks@croydon.gov.uk and events@croydon.gov.uk
We would like to think it is the wind but suspect not. The stake was missing. One of our plum trees in the small orchard, which was planted by friends of the park a few years back, was found horizontal. The trunk well and truly snapped. This year would have been its first good harvest. 😔
Some thoughts about the fair and the litter situation. My understanding is that the fair is responsible for litter picking for a certain distance around the site? ![]()
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It does not appear to be being done with any regularity or vigour.![]()
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Firstly, any business should pay attention to its; "front of house" and I would have hoped they had that high on their agenda - it could be a good marketing point for them especially if they work with the community.![]()
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Some suggestions would be... ![]()
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1) Stop them coming to the park therefore leaving a tidier area for the use of the community over the Summer break![]()
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2) Clean up the outskirts of the park themselves properly![]()
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3) Pay more to the council for them to outsource the litter collection![]()
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4) Get involved with the local youngsters and offer free tickets for anyone who volunteers to collect litter for them![]()
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5) Ask people to remove the wristbands as they leave the enclosure rather then see them
Now that the Fair has taken up the whole of the larger bottom field until the end of August, a request has been submitted to the Council's Parks Department for the smaller top field grass to be given another cut. The first cut was not the deepest, leaving a rather shaggy result, not ideal for relaxing.![]()
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Here's hoping with fingers crossed 🤞
Spoke to John Davis who says that it is his fair and they have come early because they are bigger ( seems to be more than double in size) and need to set up for Covid. He also says that they don't damage the grounds or leave litter..! Wonder if they will have adequate toilet facilities....
Renovate the Pavillion
Become a Friend
Proposed Plans
The Pavilion
The Pavilion is in a sorry state after years of neglect by Croydon Council. The original red tiled roof was replaced with felt tiles, a poor substitute. The café closed a few years ago and since then the structure has been locked up. The roof has succumbed to the elements and a number of the timbers are rotten. Hoarding now surrounds the structure. We are working with partner organisations who have volunteered their expertise in the structural and asbestos surveys. This is needed before any repair work can be carried out.
The walking and jogging track
Works to repair some of the paths across the park, including repairs to the car park were set to start in September 2015. More details on what exactly is going to be completed and the timeline for these works will be posted as we get them from the council.
The Sports Facilities
The FOAP is following up with the council to fix the tennis courts and other play areas used by the community.
Historical map and photos of the park
Photos courtesy Museum of Croydon Collections.
Ashburton Park Maps 1910
The map shows that there was a natural lake in the park on parallel to Spring Lane. The lake was filled in, then dug up and converted to a pond and filled in again.
Pond in place of the old lake -1938, Courtesy of Museum of Croydon Collections
The revived pond
Farmers market in Stroud Green House grounds-1897, Courtesy of Museum of Croydon Collections
The farmers market
Newly constructed convent linked to Stroud Green House by the cloister, Courtesy of Museum of Croydon Collections
The Convent/Library
Pavilion-1938, Courtesy of Museum of Croydon Collections
The pavillon
Entrance to the Ashburton Hall.
Historic former library
The hall has been used as an orphanage, housed the army, and as a library.
