Addiscombe
Encyclopedia
Addiscombe is a district of south
London
, England, located in the London Borough of Croydon
. It is situated 10 miles (16 km) south of Charing Cross
.
It is situated just to the northeast of central Croydon
, and is home to a high proportion of people who commute to Central London
, owing to its proximity to the busy East Croydon railway station and Tramlink
, linking Addiscombe with other parts of Croydon and Wimbledon
, as well as extensive bus routes into Central Croydon and surrounding areas.
There are several local schools, including the Trinity School of John Whitgift
, Archbishop Tenison's School
, Ashburton Community School and Oval Road Primary.
provided the raw materials for the latter.
In 1702, 'Addiscombe Place' was built to John Vanbrugh
's design. He was best known for Blenheim Palace
and Castle Howard
and was a prime exponent of the English Baroque
style. The house was built on a site which is now the corner of Outram Road and Mulberry Lane. It replaced a fine Elizabethan
mansion. Which was once the seat of Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool
.
Sir John Evelyn
recorded in his Diary
"I went to Adscomb on 11 July 1703 to see my son-in-law’s new house. It has excellent brickwork and Portland stone features, that I pronounced it good solid architecture, and one of the very best gentlemen's houses in Surrey." Distinguished guests who stayed at the mansion include George III, William Pitt
and Peter the Great of Russia
. Peter the Great was reputed to have planted a cedar tree in Mulberry Lane to record his visit.
This was one of three great houses which once stood in the area, the others being 'Ashburton House' (see later notes) and 'Stroud Green House'.
In 1809, Emelius Ratcliffe sold Addiscombe Place to the British East India Company
, whereupon it became a Military Seminary - the Addiscombe Military Academy
. The company dealt in the importation of tea, coffee, silk, cotton and spices, and maintained its own private army. The officers of this army were trained at Addiscombe before setting off for India. In 1858, after the Indian Rebellion of 1857
(also called the First War of Indian Independence), the British East India Company went out of existence.
The college closed in 1861 and was sold to developers in 1863 for £33,600. They razed it to the ground with dynamite. All that is left are the two buildings 'Ashleigh' and 'India' on the corner of Clyde Road/Addiscombe Road and the former gymnasium on Havelock Road, now private apartments.
Five parallel roads were laid out, to the south of the former college site – Outram, Havelock, Elgin, Clyde and Canning Roads. They were all named after individuals who were prominent in either the military or civil governance of British India.
In addition many roads in the vicinity haves names of similar relevance. Nearby Nicholson Road was presumably named after Brigadier General John Nicholson, who played a prominent part in the storming of Delhi. Grant Road is probably named after General Sir James Hope Grant who commanded a cavalry division at the relief of Lucknow, but a Private P Grant and a Sergeant R Grant both won VCs in the mutiny, as did a Lieutenant C Grant, so further research is needed. Inglis Road is almost certainly named after Colonel John Inglis who played a major part in the relief of Lucknow, as did James Outram and Henry Havelock
. Hastings Road and its neighbour Warren Road are named after Warren Hastings
the first Governor-General of India.
In 1870, the church of St Paul’s (built by E. Buckton Lamb) was opened and then rededicated in 1874 to St Mary Magdalene. The parish of Addiscombe was formed in 1879. Literary figures such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Thomas Carlyle
and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
were entertained by Lady Ashburton at Ashburton House. This was later demolished between 1912–13.
The old Bingham Road railway station was demolished several years ago was to make way for the new tramlink line. The station achieved fame in the opening scenes of the 1960 Tony Hancock
film "The Rebel".
The addition of Addiscombe Railway Park
along the disused railway line between Blackhorse Lane tram stop
, Morland Road and Lower Addiscombe Road will further regenerate the area.
(1912–1972), author, lived in Addiscombe between 1918 and 1923. The area later inspired him to write his Avenue series of novels.
D. H. Lawrence
(1885–1930), author, lived at 12 Colworth Road, Addiscombe from 1908 to 1912 and was a teacher at Davidson Road School for some time.
In 1974 supermodel Kate Moss
was born in Addiscombe.
David Prowse
, actor who played Darth Vader
, lives in Addiscombe.
Ethel Le Neve, mistress to Dr Crippen, lived out her days in Addiscombe, being a resident of 11 Parkview Road.
Paul Nihill
was Addiscombe and Croydon's first-ever Olympic medallist. In 1964 he won a silver medal in Tokyo for the 50 km walk.
Another local walker, Phil Goddard (1958- ), completed a 3,091-mile walk from New York to Los Angeles on May 6, 2007. He lived in Addiscombe for the first 23 years of his life.
Addiscombe railway station
- about 500 metres west of Addiscombe's main parade and the present tram station - was demolished following the withdrawal of services from Elmers End
. Part of the section between Woodside and Addiscombe railway stations is now Addiscombe Railway Park
and part has been redeveloped for housing as East India Way.
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England, located 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...
. It is situated 10 miles (16 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...
.
It is situated just to the northeast of central 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...
, and is home to a high proportion of people who commute to Central London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, owing to its proximity to the busy East Croydon railway station and Tramlink
Tramlink
Tramlink is a tramway system in south London in the United Kingdom which began operation in May 2000...
, linking Addiscombe with other parts of Croydon and Wimbledon
Wimbledon, London
Wimbledon is a district in the south west area of London, England, located south of Wandsworth, and east of Kingston upon Thames. It is situated within Greater London. It is home to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and New Wimbledon Theatre, and contains Wimbledon Common, one of the largest areas...
, as well as extensive bus routes into Central Croydon and surrounding areas.
There are several local schools, including the Trinity School of John Whitgift
Trinity School of John Whitgift
The Trinity School of John Whitgift, usually referred to as Trinity School, is a British independent boys' day school with a co-educational Sixth Form, located in Shirley Park, Croydon. The current building was constructed in 1965 on the site of the former Shirley Hotel...
, Archbishop Tenison's School
Archbishop Tenison's C of E High School, Croydon
Archbishop Tenison's Church of England High School, commonly known as Tenison's, is a selective historic 11-18, voluntary aided, mixed school in the London Borough of Croydon, England, part of the educational provision of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark and Croydon Council. It is a specialist...
, Ashburton Community School and Oval Road Primary.
History
Three hundred years ago Addiscombe was a rural area. Its main industries were farming and brick-making. Clay deposits at WoodsideWoodside, London
Woodside is a neighbourhood in the London Borough of Croydon located between Addiscombe and South Norwood.-History:Woodside is a suburban district of residential streets based around Woodside Green, a small sized area of green land. At one end of the green is a war memorial. It is surrounded by...
provided the raw materials for the latter.
In 1702, 'Addiscombe Place' was built to John Vanbrugh
John Vanbrugh
Sir John Vanbrugh – 26 March 1726) was an English architect and dramatist, perhaps best known as the designer of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. He wrote two argumentative and outspoken Restoration comedies, The Relapse and The Provoked Wife , which have become enduring stage favourites...
's design. He was best known for Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is a monumental country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, residence of the dukes of Marlborough. It is the only non-royal non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, one of England's largest houses, was built between...
and Castle Howard
Castle Howard
Castle Howard is a stately home in North Yorkshire, England, north of York. One of the grandest private residences in Britain, most of it was built between 1699 and 1712 for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, to a design by Sir John Vanbrugh...
and was a prime exponent of the English Baroque
English Baroque
English Baroque is a term sometimes used to refer to the developments in English architecture that were parallel to the evolution of Baroque architecture in continental Europe between the Great Fire of London and the Treaty of Utrecht ....
style. The house was built on a site which is now the corner of Outram Road and Mulberry Lane. It replaced a fine Elizabethan
Elizabethan architecture
Elizabethan architecture is the term given to early Renaissance architecture in England, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Historically, the period corresponds to the Cinquecento in Italy, the Early Renaissance in France, and the Plateresque style in Spain...
mansion. Which was once the seat of Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool
Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool
Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool KG PC was a British politician and the longest-serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since the Union with Ireland in 1801. He was 42 years old when he became premier in 1812 which made him younger than all of his successors to date...
.
Sir John Evelyn
John Evelyn
John Evelyn was an English writer, gardener and diarist.Evelyn's diaries or Memoirs are largely contemporaneous with those of the other noted diarist of the time, Samuel Pepys, and cast considerable light on the art, culture and politics of the time John Evelyn (31 October 1620 – 27 February...
recorded in his Diary
John Evelyn's Diary
The Diary of John Evelyn, a gentlemanly Royalist and virtuoso of the seventeenth century, was first published in 1818 under the title Memoirs Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, in an edition by William Bray. Bray was assisted by William Upcott, who had access to the Evelyn family...
"I went to Adscomb on 11 July 1703 to see my son-in-law’s new house. It has excellent brickwork and Portland stone features, that I pronounced it good solid architecture, and one of the very best gentlemen's houses in Surrey." Distinguished guests who stayed at the mansion include George III, William Pitt
William Pitt
William Pitt is most likely to refer to:* William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham , Prime Minister of Great Britain 1766–1768; often known as William Pitt the Elder...
and Peter the Great of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Peter the Great was reputed to have planted a cedar tree in Mulberry Lane to record his visit.
This was one of three great houses which once stood in the area, the others being 'Ashburton House' (see later notes) and 'Stroud Green House'.
In 1809, Emelius Ratcliffe sold Addiscombe Place to the British East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
, whereupon it became a Military Seminary - the Addiscombe Military Academy
Addiscombe Military Academy
The East India Company Military Seminary, colloquially known as Addiscombe Seminary, Addiscombe College, or Addiscombe Military Academy was a British military academy at Addiscombe, Surrey, in what is now the London Borough of Croydon. It was established in 1809, and closed in 1861...
. The company dealt in the importation of tea, coffee, silk, cotton and spices, and maintained its own private army. The officers of this army were trained at Addiscombe before setting off for India. In 1858, after the Indian Rebellion of 1857
Indian Rebellion of 1857
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began as a mutiny of sepoys of the British East India Company's army on 10 May 1857, in the town of Meerut, and soon escalated into other mutinies and civilian rebellions largely in the upper Gangetic plain and central India, with the major hostilities confined to...
(also called the First War of Indian Independence), the British East India Company went out of existence.
The college closed in 1861 and was sold to developers in 1863 for £33,600. They razed it to the ground with dynamite. All that is left are the two buildings 'Ashleigh' and 'India' on the corner of Clyde Road/Addiscombe Road and the former gymnasium on Havelock Road, now private apartments.
Five parallel roads were laid out, to the south of the former college site – Outram, Havelock, Elgin, Clyde and Canning Roads. They were all named after individuals who were prominent in either the military or civil governance of British India.
- Lt General Sir James Outram, 1st Baronet Outram
- Major General Henry HavelockHenry HavelockMajor-General Sir Henry Havelock, KCB was a British general who is particularly associated with India. He was noted for his recapture of Cawnpore from rebels during Indian Rebellion of 1857.-Early life:...
- James BruceJames Bruce, 8th Earl of ElginSir James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine, KT, GCB, PC , was a British colonial administrator and diplomat...
, 8th_Earl of Elgin - Viceroy of India 1861-1863 - Field Marshal Colin CampbellColin Campbell, 1st Baron ClydeField Marshal Colin Campbell, 1st Baron Clyde GCB, KSI was a British Army officer from Scotland who led the Highland Brigade in the Crimea and was in command of the ‘Thin red line’ at the battle of Balaclava...
, 1st Baron Clyde - Charles CanningCharles Canning, 1st Earl CanningCharles John Canning, 1st Earl Canning KG, GCB, PC , known as The Viscount Canning from 1837 to 1859, was an English statesman and Governor-General of India during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.-Background and education:...
, 1st Earl Canning - Governor General of India 1856-1862 and first Viceroy 1858-1862
In addition many roads in the vicinity haves names of similar relevance. Nearby Nicholson Road was presumably named after Brigadier General John Nicholson, who played a prominent part in the storming of Delhi. Grant Road is probably named after General Sir James Hope Grant who commanded a cavalry division at the relief of Lucknow, but a Private P Grant and a Sergeant R Grant both won VCs in the mutiny, as did a Lieutenant C Grant, so further research is needed. Inglis Road is almost certainly named after Colonel John Inglis who played a major part in the relief of Lucknow, as did James Outram and Henry Havelock
Henry Havelock
Major-General Sir Henry Havelock, KCB was a British general who is particularly associated with India. He was noted for his recapture of Cawnpore from rebels during Indian Rebellion of 1857.-Early life:...
. Hastings Road and its neighbour Warren Road are named after Warren Hastings
Warren Hastings
Warren Hastings PC was the first Governor-General of India, from 1773 to 1785. He was famously accused of corruption in an impeachment in 1787, but was acquitted in 1795. He was made a Privy Councillor in 1814.-Early life:...
the first Governor-General of India.
In 1870, the church of St Paul’s (built by E. Buckton Lamb) was opened and then rededicated in 1874 to St Mary Magdalene. The parish of Addiscombe was formed in 1879. Literary figures such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Thomas Carlyle
Thomas Carlyle
Thomas Carlyle was a Scottish satirical writer, essayist, historian and teacher during the Victorian era.He called economics "the dismal science", wrote articles for the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, and became a controversial social commentator.Coming from a strict Calvinist family, Carlyle was...
and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet and educator whose works include "Paul Revere's Ride", The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline...
were entertained by Lady Ashburton at Ashburton House. This was later demolished between 1912–13.
The area today
Since early 2006 several parts of Addiscombe have been in the process of extensive regeneration, notably the addition of housing to the site of the former Black Horse Pub (which is thought by some to be the oldest site of a pub in the borough) and the demolition of church buildings in Bingham Road in order to renovate the church halls and provide luxury retirement apartments.The old Bingham Road railway station was demolished several years ago was to make way for the new tramlink line. The station achieved fame in the opening scenes of the 1960 Tony Hancock
Tony Hancock
Anthony John "Tony" Hancock was an English actor and comedian.-Early life and career:Hancock was born in Southam Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, England, but from the age of three was brought up in Bournemouth, where his father, John Hancock, who ran the Railway Hotel in...
film "The Rebel".
The addition of Addiscombe Railway Park
Addiscombe Railway Park
Addiscombe Railway Park, also known as the Addiscombe Linear Park, is managed by the London Borough of Croydon. It is on former railway line between East India Way and Blackhorse Lane tram stop. The site of Addiscombe railway station was used for housing.The only bus service which serves it...
along the disused railway line between Blackhorse Lane tram stop
Blackhorse Lane tram stop
Blackhorse Lane tram stop is a light rail stop in the London Borough of Croydon in the southern suburbs of London.The tram stop is served by Tramlink routes:* 1 * 2...
, Morland Road and Lower Addiscombe Road will further regenerate the area.
Notable people
R. F. DelderfieldR. F. Delderfield
Ronald Frederick Delderfield was a popular English novelist and dramatist, many of whose works have been adapted for television and are still widely read.-Childhood in London and Surrey:...
(1912–1972), author, lived in Addiscombe between 1918 and 1923. The area later inspired him to write his Avenue series of novels.
D. H. Lawrence
D. H. Lawrence
David Herbert Richards Lawrence was an English novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, literary critic and painter who published as D. H. Lawrence. His collected works represent an extended reflection upon the dehumanising effects of modernity and industrialisation...
(1885–1930), author, lived at 12 Colworth Road, Addiscombe from 1908 to 1912 and was a teacher at Davidson Road School for some time.
In 1974 supermodel Kate Moss
Kate Moss
Kate Moss is an English model. Moss is known for her waifish figure and popularising the heroin chic look in the 1990s. She is also known for her controversial private life, high profile relationships, party lifestyle, and drug use. Moss changed the look of modelling and started a global debate on...
was born in Addiscombe.
David Prowse
David Prowse
David Prowse, MBE is an English former bodybuilder, weightlifter and actor, most widely known for playing the role of Darth Vader in physical form. In Britain, he is also remembered as having played the Green Cross Code man...
, actor who played Darth Vader
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a central character in the Star Wars saga, appearing as one of the main antagonists in the original trilogy and as the main protagonist in the prequel trilogy....
, lives in Addiscombe.
Ethel Le Neve, mistress to Dr Crippen, lived out her days in Addiscombe, being a resident of 11 Parkview Road.
Paul Nihill
Paul Nihill
Vincent Paul Nihill is a British athlete, who competed in the 20 and 50 kilometre walks.He was born in Colchester....
was Addiscombe and Croydon's first-ever Olympic medallist. In 1964 he won a silver medal in Tokyo for the 50 km walk.
Another local walker, Phil Goddard (1958- ), completed a 3,091-mile walk from New York to Los Angeles on May 6, 2007. He lived in Addiscombe for the first 23 years of his life.
Geography
- 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...
- FairfieldFairfield, CroydonFairfield is a ward in the London Borough of Croydon, covering most of the Croydon area of London in the United Kingdom. The ward currently forms part of Andrew Pelling MP's Croydon Central constituency, which has one of the smallest majorities for the Conservative Party in the UK on its current...
- ShirleyShirley, LondonShirley is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, England. It is a suburban development situated 10 miles south south-east of Charing Cross.-Description:...
- South NorwoodSouth NorwoodSouth Norwood is an urban town and in south London, England, in the London Borough of Croydon. It is a suburban development 7.8 miles south-east of Charing Cross. South Norwood is an electoral with a resident population in 2001 of just over 14,000...
- WoodsideWoodside, LondonWoodside is a neighbourhood in the London Borough of Croydon located between Addiscombe and South Norwood.-History:Woodside is a suburban district of residential streets based around Woodside Green, a small sized area of green land. At one end of the green is a war memorial. It is surrounded by...
Sport
- Addiscombe Hockey Club, Field Hockey Club based in Addiscombe
- Addiscombe Cricket Club est. 1866
- Addiscombe Cycling Club est. 1929
Transport
- East Croydon stationEast Croydon stationEast Croydon station is a railway station and tram stop in Croydon, 10.35 miles south of London Bridge in Travelcard Zone 5. It is the largest and busiest station in Croydon and the busiest in London outside Travelcard Zone 1 in terms of the number of passengers entering and exiting...
- Lebanon Road tram stopLebanon Road tram stopLebanon Road tram stop is a light rail stop in the London Borough of Croydon in the southern suburbs of London. It serves the residential area along Addiscombe Road to the east of the centre of the town of Croydon...
- Sandilands tram stopSandilands tram stopSandilands tram stop is a light rail stop in the London Borough of Croydon in the southern suburbs of London. It serves the residential area along Addiscombe Road to the east of the centre of the town of Croydon....
- Addiscombe tram stopAddiscombe tram stopAddiscombe tram stop is a light rail stop in the London Borough of Croydon in the southern suburbs of London.The tram stop is served by Tramlink routes:* 1 * 2...
- Blackhorse Lane tram stopBlackhorse Lane tram stopBlackhorse Lane tram stop is a light rail stop in the London Borough of Croydon in the southern suburbs of London.The tram stop is served by Tramlink routes:* 1 * 2...
Addiscombe railway station
Addiscombe railway station
Addiscombe was a terminus station in the district of Addiscombe . It was on Lower Addiscombe Road between Hastings Road and Grant Road. The East India Way housing development now stands on the site....
- about 500 metres west of Addiscombe's main parade and the present tram station - was demolished following the withdrawal of services from Elmers End
Elmers End station
Elmers End station is a railway station and tram terminus in Elmers End, South London, England. It is in the London Borough of Bromley, and Travelcard Zone 4 south of London Charing Cross....
. Part of the section between Woodside and Addiscombe railway stations is now Addiscombe Railway Park
Addiscombe Railway Park
Addiscombe Railway Park, also known as the Addiscombe Linear Park, is managed by the London Borough of Croydon. It is on former railway line between East India Way and Blackhorse Lane tram stop. The site of Addiscombe railway station was used for housing.The only bus service which serves it...
and part has been redeveloped for housing as East India Way.