Riddlesdown

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Riddlesdown
St James Road - Steep Hill 14^ - geograph.org.uk - 1426683.jpg
St James Road, Riddlesdown
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Riddlesdown
Location within Greater London
OS grid reference TQ327608
London borough
Ceremonial county Greater London
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town PURLEY
Postcode district CR8
Dialling code 020
Police Metropolitan
Fire London
Ambulance London
UK Parliament
London Assembly
List of places
UK
England
London
51°19′53″N0°05′45″W / 51.3313°N 0.0957°W / 51.3313; -0.0957

Riddlesdown is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, one mile east from the centre of its post town of Purley. The name applies to the residential district and to the green space maintained by the City of London Corporation which is also known as Riddlesdown Common.

Contents

History

There is evidence of human activity in the area going back at least to Neolithic times. Neolithic tools such as scrapes and flakes, and Bronze Age celts have been discovered there. [1] The "Riddle" part of the name is thought to come from the Middle English ridde leah, meaning "cleared woodland". [2] The name has been referred to variously over time as Ridelesdowne (1331), Redele (1338), North Ridle (1422), Riddleys, North Riddeley (1461) and Riddles Down (1765). [2]

Local facilities

The Riddlesdown Lawn Tennis Club was opened by Fred Perry in June 1938. The club has 3 all weather tennis courts which were resurfaced in 2013. It is located on Lower Barn Road. [3]

Most of the housing stock dates from the 1930s and was developed by John Laing plc. The design of some of the houses was influenced by the Art Deco style.

Riddlesdown Collegiate is a local authority secondary school in the area.

Riddlesdown railway station is located on Lower Barn Road with Southern Rail services to London Victoria and London Bridge.

Nearest places

References

  1. ↑ Malden, H.E., ed. (1912). A History of the County of Surrey. Volume I. The Victoria History of the Counties of England. London: Constable & Co. pp. 234, 243.
  2. 1 2 Gover, J.E.B. (1934). The place-names of Surrey. Cambridge: English Place-Name Society.
  3. ↑ Riddlesdown Tennis Club website


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