Motspur Park
| Motspur Park | |
|---|---|
| OS Grid Reference: | TQ225677 |
| Administration | |
| Borough: | Kingston & Merton |
| County: | Greater London |
| Region: | Greater London |
| Nation: | England |
| Other | |
| Ceremonial County: | Greater London |
| Traditional County: | Surrey |
| Post Office and Telephone | |
| Post town: | NEW MALDEN |
| Postcode: | KT3 |
| Dialling Code: | 020 8 942 |
Motspur Park, also known locally as West Barnes is a suburb in South West London situated across the boundary between the London boroughs of Merton and Kingston upon Thames. It owes its identity to the railway station of the same name which has a frequent four train an hour service into Waterloo and the adjacent parade of small shops. Two prominent gas holders, which are used to store the consumer gas supply for south west London stand just south of the shopping parade and can be seen from a wide area.
Two of London’s minor natural water courses run through the area. The Beverley Brook runs south to north through its centre and its smaller tributary the Pyl Brook run parallel further to the east. These have in the past given rise to some local flooding.
History
The district was historically known as West Barnes and was rural right up to the end of the nineteenth century when the railway station was built. Two local lanes West Barnes Lane and Blakes Lane represent remnants from this rural era. The barns referred to were those at the western end of Merton Abbey’s estates and were situated just off West Barnes Lane near it’s junction with the modern Kingsway. The railway itself was constructed through the district in mid nineteenth century but the station was not added until later.
The area was developed as a suburb in the years between the first and second world wars with most housing being 3 up 2 down terraces from this period. The area also attracted a number of playing fields at the time of its development . These remain and have given the area a large amount of green open space and have led it to achieve perhaps a wider fame than most suburbs of its nature.
In the 1930s the Kingston by pass (A3) was built just to the north forming a distinct northern boundary to the district. This was one of the first purpose built fast motor roads in Britain. The major junction at Shannon corner was for years a signifant landmark in south west London.
The local public house The Earl Beatty[1] is named after David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty who commanded a large part of the British fleet at the Battle of Jutland in the First World War.
Playing Fields
The playing field located at Motspur Park are:-
- Fulham football club training ground, formally the University of London Athletics ground.
- The BBC sports club ground
- The Kings College School sports ground
- The Joseph Hood Memorial playing field
- The Old Blues rugby club playing field
- The Archbishop Tennison playing field
- Plus 1 other minor ground.
Nearby Places
To the west:
Kingston upon Thames, Malden Manor, Old Malden
To the south:
Worcester Park,
To the east:
Morden, Merton, Wimbledon
To the north:
New Malden, Raynes Park
External links
Residents association site with some local history information on Motspur Park