Norwood New Town


Norwood New Town is a largely residential, former working-class enclave within the larger district of Upper Norwood in South London. It is within the London Borough of Croydon. In common with the neighbouring districts of West Norwood, South Norwood and Upper Norwood, it is named after the contraction of the Great North Wood, which once occupied this area.

History

Norwood New Town was built from 1840 purposely as one of the main working class areas of early Norwood. It was built as a walled estate to separate its working-class inhabitants from the upper-class country houses and farm land, which at that time made up the district. Its construction commenced before the rebuilding of the Crystal Palace on Norwood Hill but it became home to many of the workers employed on the construction of the Palace.
The walled-in terraced streets formed a particularly close community, which occupied an area south of Central Hill. The enclosed streets were:
  • Oxford Road
  • Naseby Road
  • Dover Road
  • Crystal Terrace
  • Eagle Hill
The wall was demolished in 1930 and the district was integrated into the neighbouring area, which was becoming increasingly suburbanised.

Transport

Bus

Buses use the A214 and the A215.

Rail

The high elevation of the area has made building railways very difficult so the area does not have a station of its own. The closest railway stations are West Norwood and Gipsy Hill.

Nearest places