The Building Exploratory

HERITAGE THEME: PARKS & MARKET GARDENING WATERCRESS BEDS, Carshalton

Watercress Bed at 1 High Street, Carshalton Image Courtesy of: Lynda Savigar

TREASURE DESCRIPTION: A clear photograph showing the sectioned watercress bed remains. Watercress and also many herbs, and lavender were grown in abundance in the vicinity of the River Wandle.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE CARSHALTON. ‘The Grove Park’ lying at the far end of the park An interesting name and possible origin is ‘CRESS adjacent to Mill Lane. AULTON’, for watercress growing in the spring. No evidence of the beds remains but the photo- We know that there were a number of watercress graph above actually shows remains in situ, al- beds in the Carshalton, Beddington, Hackbridge beit completely different area within the park. areas. The old 1910 Ordnance Survey map of Carshalton and North Waddington show beds in

VOLUNTEER REFLECTIONS Although a small bed, this photo interested me as the area lies within 100 yards in total to Carshalton Water Tower and approximately 30 yards away from ‘The Leoni Bridge’, Carshalton. A tall wall borders the area, obviously 1 High Street’s back garden into ‘The Grove’ which is a shame as the bed cannot be seen from the park because of the wall. For those walking to view bed, the owner of 1 High Street may be agreeable to occasional visits! WATERCRESS BEDS, Carshalton

SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE The watercress beds adjacent to Mill Lane, Car- shalton, were known as ‘Mr. Newton’s Beds’ and lay between ‘Stone Court in the Grove and the Pa- per Mill’.

As recorded by A. F. Jones, Mr. Newton lived in the mill house of the Paper Mill – following the failure of that business.

The small bed shown in the photograph on page one may have also been owned by Newton with VOLUNTEER REFLECTIONS possibly a separate bed altogether belonging to Watercress was an important part another. of the market gardening industry in the area simply because of location to water and land conditions favourable for production. It would be great if production on a small scale could be introduced in order for present day people to appreciate and enjoy.

Image Courtesy of: Lynda Savigar

References: Jones, A. F. An Illustrated Directory of Old Carshalton OSM Carshalton and N. Wallington 1910 Wilks, Michael (2002) The Book of Carshalton: At the Source of the Wandle (based on talks by Michael Wilks) ed. Stella Wilks, Gordon Rookledge