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.
Does anyone know if the car park will open as part of lockdown easing or is the lock-out due to the council's financial issues? Also been trying to find out if the café will open for takeaway tea/coffee again - I am sure it would do well given the number of people beginning to enjoy the park again.
FOAP are interested to know if anyone has access to a drone in the hope of getting a photo showing the current flooding of the park alongside Spring Lane.![]()
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Historic maps show a water at this location. It is time for a rethink on how we should respect and work with nature.
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.
