landscape.isroberts: South Norwood Lake and Grounds

South Norwood Lake and Grounds

South Norwood Lake was originally formed in the early 1880s as a reservoir for the Croydon Canal. Before then part of the current was owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the rest was part of Norwood Common. The canal closed in the 1830s and the lake then lay derelict for many years until a sports club was formed in 1881. The lake was used for fishing, swimming and skating (in winter). Some of the site was bought by Croydon Council in 1931, who then allowed public access to the lake and surrounds. The council then purchased the rest of the site in 1936, but it was not until 1969 that the whole of the grounds were opened to the public, since when it has been managed as a public park.