Riddlesdown
Coordinates: 51°19′53″N 0°05′45″W / 51.3313°N 0.0957°W
Riddlesdown is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, one mile east from the centre 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.
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.
Nearest places
Transport links
- Riddlesdown railway station
- The 412 bus service, which runs between Purley, town centre and West Croydon Bus Station
External links
- Riddlesdown Residents' Association
- Sanderstead Parish Online - Church of England Parish for Sanderstead, Riddlesdown and Hamsey Green
- Riddlesdown Collegiate
- H. E. Malden, ed. (1912). "A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 4". Victoria County History. pp. 199–205, Coulsdon. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
References
- ↑ 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.
- 1 2 Gover, J.E.B. (1934). The place-names of Surrey. Cambridge: English Place-Name Society.
- ↑ Riddlesdown Tennis Club website