Farthing Downs
Encyclopedia
Farthing Downs is an open space in Coulsdon
in the London Borough of Croydon
. Together with New Hill to the south-east, it is owned and managed by the Corporation of London
. It is also part of the Farthing Downs and Happy Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest
, notified in 1975. Happy Valley is a green space to the south owned by Croydon Council. Farthing Downs is also a scheduled ancient monument
.
Farthing Downs is a long strip of grassland with pockets of ancient woodland, which narrows to a point at the northern end. It is the most extensive area of semi-natural downland left in Greater London. Its chalk and natural grasslands have a large variety of rare herbs, including some which are nationally scarce, such as the wildflower greater yellow-rattle
. This is specially protected by legislation and Farthing Downs and Happy Valley have the major part of the British population.
. An Iron Age
field system has been recorded at the northern end, and cultivation continued in the Roman period until the second century. Thereafter it was used as pasture for grazing. The banks of a late Iron Age/early Roman enclosure system survive with a central droveway, which still has the remains of cart ruts.
There are sixteen Anglo-Saxon barrows in two barrow cemeteries in the centre and the north of the site. These were excavated in 1871 by John Wickham Flower and again in the 1940s by Brian Hope-Taylor
. In 2005 and 2006 further excavations were undertaken by Barry Taylor of English Heritage
and Amy Gray Jones of the Museum of London Archaeology Service
. Barry Taylor said:
Coulsdon
Coulsdon is a town on the southernmost boundary of the London Borough of Croydon. It is surrounded by the Metropolitan Green Belt of the Farthing Down, Coulsdon Common and Kenley Common...
in the London Borough of Croydon
London Borough of Croydon
The London Borough of Croydon is a London borough in South London, England and is part of Outer London. It covers an area of and is the largest London borough by population. It is the southernmost borough of London. At its centre is the historic town of Croydon from which the borough takes its name...
. Together with New Hill to the south-east, it is owned and managed by the Corporation of London
Corporation of London
The City of London Corporation is the municipal governing body of the City of London. It exercises control only over the City , and not over Greater London...
. It is also part of the Farthing Downs and Happy Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest
Site of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom. SSSIs are the basic building block of site-based nature conservation legislation and most other legal nature/geological conservation designations in Great Britain are based upon...
, notified in 1975. Happy Valley is a green space to the south owned by Croydon Council. Farthing Downs is also a scheduled ancient monument
Scheduled Ancient Monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a 'nationally important' archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorized change. The various pieces of legislation used for legally protecting heritage assets from damage and destruction are grouped under the term...
.
Farthing Downs is a long strip of grassland with pockets of ancient woodland, which narrows to a point at the northern end. It is the most extensive area of semi-natural downland left in Greater London. Its chalk and natural grasslands have a large variety of rare herbs, including some which are nationally scarce, such as the wildflower greater yellow-rattle
Rhinanthus angustifolius
Rhinanthus angustifolius or Greater Yellow-rattle is a Lamiales plant species of the genus Rhinanthus. It is a perennial wildflower native to temperate grasslands in much of Europe, and north and central Western Asia.-Distribution:...
. This is specially protected by legislation and Farthing Downs and Happy Valley have the major part of the British population.
History
Archeological finds show human occupation back to the NeolithicNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
. An Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
field system has been recorded at the northern end, and cultivation continued in the Roman period until the second century. Thereafter it was used as pasture for grazing. The banks of a late Iron Age/early Roman enclosure system survive with a central droveway, which still has the remains of cart ruts.
There are sixteen Anglo-Saxon barrows in two barrow cemeteries in the centre and the north of the site. These were excavated in 1871 by John Wickham Flower and again in the 1940s by Brian Hope-Taylor
Brian Hope-Taylor
Dr Brian Hope-Taylor was an artist, archeologist, broadcaster and university lecturer, who made a significant contribution to the understanding of early British history.-Professional career:...
. In 2005 and 2006 further excavations were undertaken by Barry Taylor of English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
and Amy Gray Jones of the Museum of London Archaeology Service
Museum of London Archaeology Service
Museum of London Archaeology is a Registered Archaeological Organisation with the Institute of Field Archaeologists and is a self-financing part of the Museum of London Group, providing a wide range of professional archaeological services to clients in London, SE England, the UK and...
. Barry Taylor said:
- Farthing Downs is one of the most impressive later prehistoric settlement sites that I've worked on. The earth and chalk banks that once formed the tracks and boundaries of the Iron Age landscape are still visible on the ground today, over two thousand years after they were constructed. These remains have fascinated people for centuries and even inspired the local Anglo-Saxon communities to bury their leaders along the line of these ancient earthworks.
Access
There is access from Downs Road and Ditches Lane traverses the site. The London Loop walk goes through it.See also
- List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Greater London
- Croydon parks and open spacesCroydon parks and open spacesThe London Borough of Croydon has over 120 parks and open spaces within its boundaries, ranging from the 200 acre Selsdon Wood Nature Reserve to many recreation grounds and sports fields scattered throughout the Borough. Croydon covers an area of 86.52 km², the 256th largest district in England...
External links
- London Gardens Onlin, Farthing Downs and New Hill
- The Megalithic Portal, Farthing Downs - Barrow Cemetery in England in Surrey
- Natural England, Farthing Downs and Happy Valley citation
- Natural England, Nature on the map, Farthing Downs and Happy Valley
- City of London, Farthing Downs and New Hill
- Old Coulsdon, Farthing Downs and New Hill map
- Friends of Farthing Downs
- Stephen Cook, Open to the elements, Helen Young, broadcast manager of the BBC Weather Centre, escapes fronts of high pressure by walking on Farthing Downs, Guardian, 8 April 2000