Norbury
Encyclopedia
Norbury is a town in the London Borough of Croydon
, also crossing the London Borough of Merton
. It shares the postcode London SW16 with nearby Streatham
. Norbury is 6.7 miles (10.8 km) south of Charing Cross
.
, (North Borough). Some local histories note that this was due to Norbury's position on the northern boundary of the former Manor of Croydon
. In actual fact it takes it name from a split in the borough of Bensham, one of the former seven boroughs of Croydon. 'Northbenchesham' became the Northborough, then Norbury. 'Southbenchesham' later became Thornton Heath.
Norbury, like Streatham and Croydon, lies on the London to Brighton Way
Roman road, the northern part of which has become the A23 road. At Hepworth Road the intact road, 32 feet wide, was excavated in 1961. Remnants of a metalled ford across the stream were found further south at Hermitage Bridge on the River Graveney which forms part of the boundary between Norbury and Streatham, before flowing on to the River Wandle
, then the River Thames
.
Norbury was a sub-manor of Croydon Manor and was held by the Carew
family between 1385 and 1859. The Carews also held Beddington
. Norbury Farm was the manor house - it was demolished in 1914.
Norbury Hall, Craignish Avenue, does remain - now as a retirement home and a Grade II listed building. It was built for William Coles in 1802. In the late 19th century, its owner was James Hobbs, local businessman and fifth Mayor of Croydon who bought the house in 1884. A few years later, he was implicated in the Liberator Building Society scandal with Jabez Balfour
, convicted and imprisoned. The Hobbs family owned the Hall until 1958 when it was sold to the County Borough of Croydon (from 1965 the London Borough of Croydon), with its gardens open to the public. By then most of the farms and open land belonging to Norbury Manor and Hall had been built upon. The London County Council
built an estate of almost 500 homes in Norbury, one of its first 'Out-County' estates between 1906 and 1910.
Norbury railway station
opened in 1878, although the railway line had opened in 1862. It was rebuilt in 1902 and connects Norbury with Croydon, London Bridge and London Victoria. Although Croydon's horse-tram network never reached Norbury, electric trams were introduced in 1901, connecting the town all the way through to Purley
. However, Croydon trams and London trams used different systems and could not use the same tracks, leading through passengers to have to change in Norbury. This was finally rectified in 1925. The trams were removed after World War II
but there are now plans to extend Tramlink
from Croydon to Streatham via Norbury.
Though considered to belong to the London Borough of Croydon
about one third of the town (from Stanford way) crosses over to the London Borough of Merton
.
During the Second World War the Nobury 5th Battolin of the Home Guard patrolled the town, it was a hugely successful patloon with a high reputation for efficiency and bravery. On the evening of September the 5th 1940, the Norbury police reported to 5th Norbury Battalion that residents had observed enemy parachutists dropping on Nobury golf-course. Company Commanders were notified, and the platoon parading for the night sent in pursuit. The town did not escape heavy bombings during the war.
short story, "The Adventure of the Yellow Face
", as one of the few places in which the detective turned out to be wrong regarding his theories.
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...
, also crossing the London Borough of Merton
London Borough of Merton
The London Borough of Merton is a borough in southwest London, England.The borough was formed under the London Government Act in 1965 by the merger of the Municipal Borough of Mitcham, the Municipal Borough of Wimbledon and the Merton and Morden Urban District, all formerly within Surrey...
. It shares the postcode London SW16 with nearby Streatham
Streatham
Streatham is a district in Surrey, England, located in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
. Norbury is 6.7 miles (10.8 km) south of Charing Cross
Charing Cross
Charing Cross denotes the junction of Strand, Whitehall and Cockspur Street, just south of Trafalgar Square in central London, England. It is named after the now demolished Eleanor cross that stood there, in what was once the hamlet of Charing. The site of the cross is now occupied by an equestrian...
.
History
The name derives from North BurhBurh
A Burh is an Old English name for a fortified town or other defended site, sometimes centred upon a hill fort though always intended as a place of permanent settlement, its origin was in military defence; "it represented only a stage, though a vitally important one, in the evolution of the...
, (North Borough). Some local histories note that this was due to Norbury's position on the northern boundary of the former Manor of Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
. In actual fact it takes it name from a split in the borough of Bensham, one of the former seven boroughs of Croydon. 'Northbenchesham' became the Northborough, then Norbury. 'Southbenchesham' later became Thornton Heath.
Norbury, like Streatham and Croydon, lies on the London to Brighton Way
London to Brighton Way (Roman road)
The London to Brighton Way, sometimes called the London to Portslade Way is a Roman road between Stane Street at Kennington Park and Brighton in Sussex. The road passes through Streatham and Croydon, then through the Caterham Valley gap in the North Downs...
Roman road, the northern part of which has become the A23 road. At Hepworth Road the intact road, 32 feet wide, was excavated in 1961. Remnants of a metalled ford across the stream were found further south at Hermitage Bridge on the River Graveney which forms part of the boundary between Norbury and Streatham, before flowing on to the River Wandle
River Wandle
The River Wandle is a river in south-east England. The names of the river and of Wandsworth are thought to have derived from the Old English "Wendlesworth" meaning "Wendle's Settlement". The river runs through southwest London and is about long...
, then the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
.
Norbury was a sub-manor of Croydon Manor and was held by the Carew
Carew
Carew may refer to:People*Baron Carew, a title in the British peerage*Sir Alexander Carew, 2nd Baronet , British Member of Parliament involved in the English Civil War*Ashley Carew , English-Barbadian football player...
family between 1385 and 1859. The Carews also held Beddington
Beddington
Beddington is a settlement between the London Boroughs of Sutton and Croydon. The BedZED low energy housing scheme is located here. In Beddington was a static inverter plant of HVDC Kingsnorth....
. Norbury Farm was the manor house - it was demolished in 1914.
Norbury Hall, Craignish Avenue, does remain - now as a retirement home and a Grade II listed building. It was built for William Coles in 1802. In the late 19th century, its owner was James Hobbs, local businessman and fifth Mayor of Croydon who bought the house in 1884. A few years later, he was implicated in the Liberator Building Society scandal with Jabez Balfour
Jabez Balfour
Jabez Spencer Balfour was a businessman, British Liberal Party politician and fraudster.-Life:He was the son of James Balfour and Clara Lucas Balfour....
, convicted and imprisoned. The Hobbs family owned the Hall until 1958 when it was sold to the County Borough of Croydon (from 1965 the London Borough of Croydon), with its gardens open to the public. By then most of the farms and open land belonging to Norbury Manor and Hall had been built upon. The London County Council
London County Council
London County Council was the principal local government body for the County of London, throughout its 1889–1965 existence, and the first London-wide general municipal authority to be directly elected. It covered the area today known as Inner London and was replaced by the Greater London Council...
built an estate of almost 500 homes in Norbury, one of its first 'Out-County' estates between 1906 and 1910.
Norbury railway station
Norbury railway station
Norbury railway station is in the London Borough of Croydon in south London miles from Victoria. The station is operated by Southern, who also provide the majority of services and is in Travelcard Zone 3.Ticket barriers are in operation at this station.- Service :The typical off-peak train...
opened in 1878, although the railway line had opened in 1862. It was rebuilt in 1902 and connects Norbury with Croydon, London Bridge and London Victoria. Although Croydon's horse-tram network never reached Norbury, electric trams were introduced in 1901, connecting the town all the way through to Purley
Purley, London
Purley is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, England. It is a suburban development situated 11.7 miles south of Charing Cross.The name derives from "pirlea", which means 'Peartree lea'. Purley has a population of about 72,000....
. However, Croydon trams and London trams used different systems and could not use the same tracks, leading through passengers to have to change in Norbury. This was finally rectified in 1925. The trams were removed after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
but there are now plans to extend Tramlink
Tramlink
Tramlink is a tramway system in south London in the United Kingdom which began operation in May 2000...
from Croydon to Streatham via Norbury.
Though considered to belong to 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...
about one third of the town (from Stanford way) crosses over to the London Borough of Merton
London Borough of Merton
The London Borough of Merton is a borough in southwest London, England.The borough was formed under the London Government Act in 1965 by the merger of the Municipal Borough of Mitcham, the Municipal Borough of Wimbledon and the Merton and Morden Urban District, all formerly within Surrey...
.
During the Second World War the Nobury 5th Battolin of the Home Guard patrolled the town, it was a hugely successful patloon with a high reputation for efficiency and bravery. On the evening of September the 5th 1940, the Norbury police reported to 5th Norbury Battalion that residents had observed enemy parachutists dropping on Nobury golf-course. Company Commanders were notified, and the platoon parading for the night sent in pursuit. The town did not escape heavy bombings during the war.
Nearest places
- StreathamStreathamStreatham is a district in Surrey, England, located in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
- Thornton HeathThornton HeathThornton Heath is a district of south London, England, in the London Borough of Croydon. It is situated south-southeast of Charing Cross.-Geography:...
- Mitcham
- Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace, LondonCrystal Palace is a residential area in south London, England named from the former local landmark, The Crystal Palace, which occupied the area from 1854 to 1936. The area is located approximately 8 miles south east of Charing Cross, and offers impressive views over the capital...
/ Upper NorwoodUpper NorwoodUpper Norwood is an elevated area in south London, England within the postcode SE19. It is a residential district largely in the London Borough of Croydon although some parts extend into the London Borough of Lambeth, London Borough of Southwark and the London Borough of Bromley. Upper Norwood... - CroydonCroydonCroydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
Nearest railway stations
- Norbury railway stationNorbury railway stationNorbury railway station is in the London Borough of Croydon in south London miles from Victoria. The station is operated by Southern, who also provide the majority of services and is in Travelcard Zone 3.Ticket barriers are in operation at this station.- Service :The typical off-peak train...
(There are plans to bring TramlinkTramlinkTramlink is a tramway system in south London in the United Kingdom which began operation in May 2000...
services to Norbury) - Thornton Heath railway stationThornton Heath railway stationThornton Heath railway station is in the London Borough of Croydon in south London miles from Victoria. It is on the Brighton main line between East Croydon and London Victoria. The station is operated by Southern, who also provide the majority of services...
- Streatham Common railway stationStreatham Common railway stationStreatham Common railway station is in Streatham in south London miles from Victoria, and is in Travelcard Zone 3.The station is managed by Southern who also operate trains from the station...
In fiction
Norbury is portrayed in a Sherlock HolmesSherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
short story, "The Adventure of the Yellow Face
The Adventure of the Yellow Face
"The Adventure of the Yellow Face", one of the 56 short Sherlock Holmes stories written by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is the third tale from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes...
", as one of the few places in which the detective turned out to be wrong regarding his theories.