 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2015) |
| Park Hill | |
|---|---|
 Park Hill Recreation Ground entrance from Central Croydon side | |
  Park Hill Rec. Ground | |
| Type | Public park |
| Location | Croydon |
| Coordinates | 51°22′16″N 0°05′21″W / 51.37117°N 0.08924°W |
| Operated by | London Borough of Croydon |
| Status | Open all year (closed at night) |
| Public transit access | East Croydon station, South Croydon railway station London Buses, route 64; route 433 to Birdhurst Gardens stop. |
Park Hill Recreation Ground is a 15 acres (6.1 ha) park near the centre of Croydon, Greater London, managed by the London Borough of Croydon. It runs from Barclay Road to Coombe Road beside the railway line, with the main entrances on Water Tower Hill and Barclay Road. The nearest stations (equidistant to the park) are East Croydon to the north for Tramlink and National Rail services and South Croydon to the south for National Rail. The park was officially renamed as Park Hill in 1964.[1]
At the southern end, at the very top of the hill which forms the park, it joins the grounds of Coombe Cliff once the home of members of the Horniman Tea family.[1] From there a steep drive winds down to Coombe Road where a footpath leads to South Croydon railway station for National Rail. The grounds now form part of the park and are open to the public, but the house itself, is not. As of October 2018[update], it is used for educational purposes. Where the drive meets Coombe Road there is a further entrance and a gatehouse, which is now privately owned for residential purposes.[1] The house is grade II listed.[2]
Previously, the site was a reservoir, but in the 1880s, it was transformed into a public park.[3] The park offers various amenities, such as refreshments, sports facilities, and a walled herb garden.[4]
In his memoirs, "The Chronicles of Wasted Time" (1973), Malcolm Muggeridge reminisces about the park being a childhood playground where he and his father would frequently walk together and engage in discussions about socialism and world affairs.
- ^ a b c Winterman, M.A. (1988). Croydon's Parks: An illustrated history. London Borough of Croydon Parks and Recreation Department. p. 69. ISBN 0951348108.
- ^ "Statutory Listed Buildings in Croydon - May 2017" (PDF). Croydon.gov.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
- ^ "Park Hill Recreation Ground, Croydon". www.londongardenstrust.org. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
- ^ "Park Hill Recreation Ground". London Borough of Croydon. 2015. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015.