Thornton Heath Pond

The old pond at Thornton Heath, situated in the middle of the London Road, is one of the town's oldest landmarks. The Pond appears on all the earliest maps of Croydon, and was an important public watering-place for horses and cattle moving to and from Croydon. It is possible that the Croydon colliers (charcoal burners) who operated in the area at least from the 16th century and probably much earlier, used the Pond as their source of water - hence the name Colliers Water Lane nearby.

In 1887, an ornamental fountain was placed in the middle of the pond by Croydon Borough Council, paid for by the local residents.

By the late 19th century, however, as traffic along the London Road became increasingly heavy, the Pond had become a potential hazard. In 1891, for example, a parcel mail coach on its way from Brighton to London in fog, ended up in the Pond instead of on the road.

In 1897 the Pond was finally surrounded by railings, and trees were planted round the outside. A new fountain was erected in the middle to commemorate Queen Victoria's diamond Jubilee.

In 1953 the Pond was filled in and turned into an ornamental garden with a small pool. Spasmodic vandalism prompted the Council to fill in the pool in 1975, and Thornton Heath Pond became little more than a traffic roundabout on the A23. Nevertheless, there are regular calls by interested people to get the Pond reinstated in some way, and it may be back one day.

One feature which will not be back is the Gallows, which stood at the junction of Brigstock and London Roads in the 18th century.

Photos:

• The Pond newly railed and civilised in the 1890s (141.4 THO)
• Still a pond in 1951 (141.4 THO)
• The ornamental gardens in 1991 (141.4 THO)
• Thornton Heath pond area in 1847

Back to Places

Tuesday, 13 May, 2008

Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Submit a Comment / Question to the Webmaster