South Norwood Country Park

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South Norwood Country Park is included in my selection of parks and open spaces that are a little bit further outside Addiscombe but really it isn't that far away at all, and if you consider Long Lane as being in Addiscombe (I don't) then it is actually very close.

The Country Park largely comprises wild flower meadows with gritty footpaths across them. There is a lake on the north-east side which has a number of viewing platforms around it which gives scope for feeding ducks, though it has to be said they seem to prefer their own little island. A new £180,000 children's play area opened in November 2008 alongside the Visitors Centre and very impressive it is too. It replaced one near the car parks that was demolished two years previously. There is also a pitch and putt course and a mound that acts as a viewpoint. Croydon Sports Arena is over on the south-west side as is Rylands Field (also marked on maps as 'Croydon & Rylands Fields') and I've chosen to bundle both in with the park because I can (Croydon Council don't seem to mention Rylands Field on their website).

Location

South Norwood Country Park lies to the north-east of Addiscombe. It is roughly rectangular in shape on a south-west to north-east alignment and is bordered by Albert Road, Beckenham Cemetery, Elmers End Road and the tram line from Woodside to Elmers End. The main entrance is on Albert Road leading across the tram line to the Visitors Centre (only open for a couple of hours in the middle of the day at weekends) and the car parking areas. The park is usefully served by three tram stops. Harrington Road is in the middle of the north-west side of the the west side of the park, Arena tram stop is at the southern tip, and Elmers End at the eastern tip.

History

To follow.