Norwood Grove (Upper Norwood, London, U.K.)

Norwood Grove is approximately 14 hectares of parkland, formal gardens, woods, rough common etc. including Norwood Grove Mansion, all set on rolling land with spectacular views. Its strengths are the range of habitat, the peace and quiet (it has NO main roads close by and there are usually not many people there) the Mansion and (in one-third of the words of Estate Agents) the location. The contours on the map above (at 5 metre intervals) give a clue to the south-west aspect and a typical view from the top field is shown on the left. History. It was recorded as part of Lime Common in the Domesday Book, then part of the Great North Wood (whence "Norwood") and was bought for the public by Covington and opened in 1926. There is a brief history page here covering both the Grove and Mansion, and views and words of the plaques here. Wildlife. Partly because of the range of habitat, but also because of Streatham Common which is adjacent, there is a range of wildlife to be seen - especially a good range of birds for a London postcode. Sparrowhawks sometimes hunt around the old greenhouse field, Green Woodpecker are often heard and they and Greater Spotted Woodpecker often seen and Heron patiently wait for the fountain pond to be restocked with goldfish... There as a page with some flora and fauna notes here and even details of the Ring-necked Parakeets.

The Mansion As part of the European heritage open days the Mansion - also know as the White House - is partly opened for part of one day a year:  this page details the 1998 Norwood Grove Mansion open day and this page details the 2000 Norwood Grove Mansion open day (both quite graphics intensive pages).   More Information: There is free parking on most adjacent side roads.  Dogs must be kept under control and owners must clean up after them. There are toilets at the side of the White House and a cafe and toilets are also located at the top of the Rookery in Streatham Common close by. It is true that Norwood Grove was used as a car park for the 1999 Mela - and cars parked straight onto the grass did do a lot of damage, but within about 18 months most everything had recovered and there was little sign of any damage..   Finally: we have a modest links page here, mostly London wildlife and adjacent groups.

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