Norwood Grove

Norwood Grove is a grade II listed ornamental park in south London. It sits at the northern edge of the London Borough of Croydon, which manages it, while its westernmost corner falls within Lambeth. A quiet green pocket with landscaped gardens and a historic house, it lies right next to Streatham Common.

Where is Norwood Grove and how do you get in?

The park is bordered to the south-west by Covington Way, to the south-east by Gibson's Hill, and to the north-east by Copgate Path and Ryecroft Road. The main entrances are on Covington Way and Gibson's Hill. You can also enter from Copgate Path, which for much of its length effectively forms part of the park and is itself sometimes called "Norwood Grove".

To the north-west the grounds adjoin The Rookery, which in turn adjoins Streatham Common. That is no coincidence: Norwood Grove was once part of the same common land.

What is the history of Norwood Grove?

The area was originally part of Great Streatham Common, a broad stretch of common land running from Norbury to Tulse Hill. In 1635 part of it became a shooting estate with a lodge for the Duke of Portland.

In the 19th century the house, then called Streatham Grove, was home to Arthur Anderson, co-founder of the shipping company P&O. Sources differ on exactly when he lived there. The estate later passed to the Nettlefold family, industrialists linked to the firm that became GKN. Frederick Nettlefold and his wife lived here from 1878 to 1913, and a blue plaque on the south front of the house commemorates his charitable work.

The family sold the house and grounds to Croydon Corporation in 1913. By the mid-1920s there were proposals to build housing on the site, but the estate was saved. In 1926, renamed Norwood Grove, the house, gardens and grounds opened to the public, with the first tree planted by the Prince of Wales.

What is there to see?

• ornamental gardens and lawns, good for a stroll or a picnic,
• the historic white house with Frederick Nettlefold's blue plaque,
• neighbouring The Rookery and Streatham Common, easy to combine into a longer walk,
• a good example of a Victorian estate turned into a public park.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee? Norwood Grove is a public park run by the council. Our sources mention no charges, so check the Croydon Council website for current rules before visiting.

Which borough is it in? Mainly Croydon, which manages it, though the westernmost part lies in Lambeth.

Who lived in the house? Among others, Arthur Anderson, co-founder of P&O, and Frederick Nettlefold, who lived there from 1878 to 1913.

When did the park open to the public? In 1926, after Croydon Corporation had bought the estate in 1913.

Can I combine a visit with Streatham Common? Yes. The two are linked via The Rookery and were once a single area.