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{{about|the district of London|the park it contains|Morden Park (park)|the nearby park|Morden Hall Park}}
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{{infobox UK place|
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
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|country = England
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
|map_type = Greater London
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{{infobox UK place
|region= London
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| country = England
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|population=
|official_name= Morden Park
| map_type = Greater London
|london_borough= Merton
| region = London
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| population =
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|constituency_westminster= [[Wimbledon (UK Parliament constituency)|Wimbledon]]
| official_name = Morden Park
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|constituency_westminster1= [[Mitcham and Morden (UK Parliament constituency)|Mitcham and Morden]]
|post_town= MORDEN
| london_borough = Merton
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| constituency_westminster = [[Wimbledon (UK Parliament constituency)|Wimbledon]]
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|postcode_area= SM
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| constituency_westminster1 = [[Mitcham and Morden (UK Parliament constituency)|Mitcham and Morden]]
|postcode_district= SM4
| post_town = MORDEN
|dial_code= 020
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| postcode_area = SM
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|os_grid_reference= TQ248676
|latitude= 51.3936
| postcode_district = SM4
|longitude= -0.2052
| dial_code = 020
⚫
| os_grid_reference = TQ248676
| coordinates = {{coord|51.3936|-0.2052|display=inline,title}}
}}
}}
'''Morden Park''' is an area within the district of [[Morden]] in the [[London Borough of Merton]], and includes the Park itself, an area of green space in an otherwise dense cluster of 1930s [[suburban]] housing.
'''Morden Park''' is an area within the district of [[Morden]] in the [[London Borough of Merton]], and includes the Park itself, an area of green space in an otherwise dense cluster of 1930s [[suburban]] housing.


The present park and sports fields between Hillcross Avenue, London Road/Epsom Road and Lower Morden Lane are owned and managed by the [[London Borough of Merton]] parks department and cover land that previously formed the grounds of Morden Park House, a small 18th century country estate (not to be confused with [[Morden Hall Park]], the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] property close to Morden town centre).
The present park and sports fields between Hillcross Avenue, London Road/Epsom Road and Lower Morden Lane are owned and managed by the [[London Borough of Merton]] parks department and cover land that previously formed the grounds of Morden Park House, a small 18th-century country estate (not to be confused with [[Morden Hall Park]], the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] property close to Morden town centre).

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[[Image:Morden Park House.JPG|thumb|left|Morden Park House]]
==History==
The estate comprised enclosed parkland, a small [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] [[country house]] built at the top of the hill in the 1770s for merchant and distiller John Ewart with attached landscaped gardens and a farm called Morden Park Farm. By the mid-1780s the estate was in the possession of the Polhill family.<ref>[http://www.motco.com/map/81001 Motco.com] [http://www.motco.com/MapImages/81001/81001034-w.jpg 15 Miles Round London (First edition), J Cary, 1786, Morden]</ref> One member of the family, Edward Polhill, bequeathed £1,000 in 1826 to the [[St Lawrence Church, Morden|parish church]] for the benefit of the [[Sunday school]].<ref name = BHO>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=43056 British History Online]</ref>
The estate originally comprised enclosed parkland, a small [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] [[country house]] built at the top of the hill in the 1770s for merchant and distiller John Ewart with attached landscaped gardens and a farm called Morden Park Farm. By the mid-1780s the estate was in the possession of the Polhill family.<ref>[http://www.motco.com/map/81001 Motco.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614013352/http://www.motco.com/MAP/81001/ |date=14 June 2006 }} [http://www.motco.com/MapImages/81001/81001034-w.jpg 15 Miles Round London (First edition), J Cary, 1786, Morden] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928085842/http://www.motco.com/MapImages/81001/81001034-w.jpg |date=28 September 2006 }}</ref> One member of the family, Edward Polhill, bequeathed £1,000 in 1826 to the [[St Lawrence Church, Morden|parish church]] for the benefit of the [[Sunday school]].<ref name = BHO>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=43056 British History Online]</ref>


Between the 1880s<ref>1881 Census</ref> and the 1910s the estate was occupied by banker John Wormald.<ref name = BHO/>
Between the 1880s<ref>1881 Census</ref> and the 1910s the estate was occupied by banker John Wormald.<ref name = BHO/>


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The entrance to the Park, from London Road is now dominated by [[South Thames College]], Merton Campus. This was built on the site of a Pig Farm which was destroyed by fire at some point in the late 1940s or early 1950s. The derelict sites remained in place for some years until the early 1960s when clearing began for the College. During this period many bones could be found amongst the rubble; these have been assumed by archaeologists to be those of pigs. Children from the Council Estate opposite the entrance at Hatfield Mead used this area as an adventure playground for many years. At this period a Gatehouse (occupied until its demolition in the 1960s) was prominent at the entry.
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At the bottom of the hill in the direction of [[Lower Morden]] runs the [[Beverley Brook]] a minor tributary of the [[Thames]].


Bordering the park to the South West, next to The George Inn was the [[RG Jones Recording Studios]] where a number of Pop Groups in the 60's (including notably The Rolling Stones) had recording sessions.
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In the park, surrounded by trees, is a large circular mound. This has been identified as a possible [[burial mound]] from the [[Iron Age]], [[Roman Britain|Roman]] or [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] periods. [[Archaeological]] investigations were carried out in the 1950s although no conclusive proof as to its date or purpose were found.English Heritage believes that the earthwork was remodelled at some time into a belvedere, or viewing platform, with a spiral path to ascend it. Between 1960 and the mid-1990s a cycle speedway track sat alongside the mound, which was home to Morden Cycle Speedway Club. The track has since been demolished but it's still possible to find signs of the track's existence. A local Aero Modelling Club used the area South of the Mound on Sunday Mornings for flying practice.


==Geography==
⚫
Morden Park House remains and, after many years of neglect and semi-dereliction, has recently been restored and is now the local [[register office]] and a venue for wedding ceremonies.
⚫
At the bottom of the hill in the direction of [[Lower Morden]] runs a small brook.


⚫
A large circular mound in the park has been identified as a possible [[burial mound]] from the [[Iron Age]], [[Roman Britain|Roman]] or [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] periods. [[Archaeological]] investigations were carried out in the 1950s although no conclusive proof as to its date or purpose were found. English Heritage believes that the earthwork was remodelled at some time into a belvedere, or viewing platform, with a spiral path to ascend it. Between 1960 and the mid-1990s a cycle speedway track sat alongside the mound, which was home to Morden Cycle Speedway Club. The track has since been demolished but it's still possible to find signs of the track's existence. A local Aero Modelling Club used the area South of the Mound on Sunday Mornings for flying practice.
⚫
The entrance to the Park, from London Road is now dominated by Merton Technical College. This was built on the site of a Pig Farm which was destroyed by fire at some point in the late 40's or early 50's. The derelict sties remained in place for some years until the early 60's when clearing began for the College. During this period many bones could be found amongst the rubble; these have been assumed by archaeologists to be those of pigs. Children from the Council Estate opposite the entrance at Hatfield Mead used this area as an adventure playground for many years. At this period a Gatehouse (occupied until its demolition in the 60's) was prominent at the entry.


==Amenities==
Facilities in Morden Park include a pitch and putt golf course and Morden Park Swimming Pool which was opened in the late 1967 on the site of the old house's gardens.
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[[File:Morden Park House.JPG|thumb|Morden Park House]]

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Morden Park House remains and, after many years of neglect and semi-dereliction, has recently been restored and is now the local [[register office]] and a venue for wedding ceremonies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merton.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/register-office|title=Morden Park House|publisher=London Borough of Merton|access-date=8 May 2020}}</ref>
Merton College is adjacent to the park and occupies the former site of the farm.

Morden Park also hosts the annual Morden Park Holiday Club event for children to attend for a week during their summer holidays from school. This event is organised by the churches in the surrounding area.


==Maps==
==Maps==
{|
{|
|| [[Image:Mordenmap 1920s.png|thumb|250px|A map of Morden Park from the 1920s]]
|| [[File:Mordenmap 1920s.png|thumb|250px|A map of Morden Park from the 1920s]]
|| [[File:Morden map 1944.jpg|thumb|250px|A map of Morden Park from 1944]]
|| [[File:Morden map 1944.jpg|thumb|250px|A map of Morden Park from 1944]]
||
||
|}
|}

== Proposed sale ==
[[File:Morden park kids.jpg|thumb|Kids want to Save Morden Park]]
[[File:No councillor.jpg|thumb|A poster to Save Morden Park"]]
[[File:Save our park.jpg|thumb|Locals, Save Morden Park"]]
{{Primary sources|section|date=October 2008}}
In 2008, Merton Council proposed allowing [[Goals Soccer Centres]], to build 10 [[five-a-side football]] pitches, 4 seven-a-side football pitches, 1 full-size [[Association football pitch|football pitch]], 2 multi-sport areas, and 2 full-size football pitches (with all bar the latter using [[astroturf]], [[Floodlights (sport)|floodlighting]] and be available for a fee), a car park (with a capacity for up to 99 cars) and a clubhouse with a licensed bar on part of the park. When full there would be more than 300 people playing at any one time and at hand-over times between games there may be as many as 600 people on the playing fields, and more in the licensed bar.<ref>From the Campaign website: http://www.mordenpark.org.uk/our_cause.htm</ref> This proposal has been met with fierce opposition from residents; on Sunday, 26 November 2008, 250 people campaigned for a "protest picnic" to show their support for a campaign to save the park from being sold off for commercial development to Goals. Local residents joined with members of Morden parish churches and [[Baitul Futuh]] [[mosque]] to discuss how they could work together to save the field. There were large football and cricket games organised and some colourful arts and crafts activities. As a result, Merton Council agreed to revoke the decision<ref>Cabinet Committee Meeting Document: http://www.merton.gov.uk/democratic_services/ds-agendas/ds-fpreports/833.pdf</ref><ref>News article http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/archive/2009/11/30/news_wimbledon/4761303._Victory_for_local_democracy__as_Morden_Park_football_plans_dropped/</ref>


==References==
==References==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.gll.org/centre/morden-park-pools.asp Morden Park Pool]
* [http://www.gll.org/centre/morden-park-pools.asp Morden Park Pool]
* [http://www.merton.ac.uk Merton College]
* [http://www.south-thames.ac.uk South Thames College]
* [http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/visit-woods/Pages/wood-details.aspx?wood=31113&site=Morden-Park-Wood Morden Park Wood] on the VisitWoods website
* [https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20110506181415/http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/visit-woods/Pages/wood-details.aspx?wood=31113&site=Morden-Park-Wood Morden Park Wood] on the VisitWoods website

* [http://www.mordenpark.org.uk Save Morden Park] A Campaign by local residents to "Save Morden Park", as Merton Council is about to lease the land off to a private company for a financial benefit! This Campaign has been running since May 2008 and has a wide support, including many local Councillors.{{LB Merton}}
{{LB Merton}}
{{Green London}}
{{Green London}}
{{London Districts}}


[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[Category:Districts of Merton]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Merton]]
[[Category:Parks and open spaces in Merton]]
[[Category:Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Merton]]
[[Category:Morden]]

Latest revision as of 20:44, 19 January 2024

This article is about the district of London. For the park it contains, see Morden Park (park). For the nearby park, see Morden Hall Park.

Morden Park
Morden Park is located in Greater London
Morden Park
Morden Park
Location within Greater London
OS grid referenceTQ248676
London borough
Ceremonial countyGreater London
Region
LandEngland
Sovereign stateVereinigtes Königreich
Post townMORDEN
Postcode districtSM4
Dialling code020
PoliceMetropolitan
FireLondon
AmbulanceLondon
UK Parliament
London Assembly
List of places
UK
England
London
51°23′37″N 0°12′19″W / 51.3936°N 0.2052°W / 51.3936; -0.2052

Morden Park is an area within the district of Morden in the London Borough of Merton, and includes the Park itself, an area of green space in an otherwise dense cluster of 1930s suburban housing.

The present park and sports fields between Hillcross Avenue, London Road/Epsom Road and Lower Morden Lane are owned and managed by the London Borough of Merton parks department and cover land that previously formed the grounds of Morden Park House, a small 18th-century country estate (not to be confused with Morden Hall Park, the National Trust property close to Morden town centre).

History

[edit]

The estate originally comprised enclosed parkland, a small Georgian country house built at the top of the hill in the 1770s for merchant and distiller John Ewart with attached landscaped gardens and a farm called Morden Park Farm. By the mid-1780s the estate was in the possession of the Polhill family.[1] One member of the family, Edward Polhill, bequeathed £1,000 in 1826 to the parish church for the benefit of the Sunday school.[2]

Between the 1880s[3] and the 1910s the estate was occupied by banker John Wormald.[2]

The entrance to the Park, from London Road is now dominated by South Thames College, Merton Campus. This was built on the site of a Pig Farm which was destroyed by fire at some point in the late 1940s or early 1950s. The derelict sites remained in place for some years until the early 1960s when clearing began for the College. During this period many bones could be found amongst the rubble; these have been assumed by archaeologists to be those of pigs. Children from the Council Estate opposite the entrance at Hatfield Mead used this area as an adventure playground for many years. At this period a Gatehouse (occupied until its demolition in the 1960s) was prominent at the entry.

Bordering the park to the South West, next to The George Inn was the RG Jones Recording Studios where a number of Pop Groups in the 60's (including notably The Rolling Stones) had recording sessions.

Geography

[edit]

At the bottom of the hill in the direction of Lower Morden runs a small brook.

A large circular mound in the park has been identified as a possible burial mound from the Iron Age, Roman or Saxon periods. Archaeological investigations were carried out in the 1950s although no conclusive proof as to its date or purpose were found. English Heritage believes that the earthwork was remodelled at some time into a belvedere, or viewing platform, with a spiral path to ascend it. Between 1960 and the mid-1990s a cycle speedway track sat alongside the mound, which was home to Morden Cycle Speedway Club. The track has since been demolished but it's still possible to find signs of the track's existence. A local Aero Modelling Club used the area South of the Mound on Sunday Mornings for flying practice.

Amenities

[edit]
Morden Park House

Morden Park House remains and, after many years of neglect and semi-dereliction, has recently been restored and is now the local register office and a venue for wedding ceremonies.[4]

Maps

[edit]
A map of Morden Park from the 1920s
A map of Morden Park from 1944

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Motco.com Archived 14 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine 15 Miles Round London (First edition), J Cary, 1786, Morden Archived 28 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b British History Online
  3. ^ 1881 Census
  4. ^ "Morden Park House". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
[edit]
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