South Norwood Lake is the only large area of open water (6 acres) in Croydon, and has an unusual history; it was built to supply a canal. In 1799 an engineer called Ralph Dodd was commissioned to survey a line for a canal to link the market town of Croydon to the Thames and to the London markets and port. A horse drawn barge would bring general merchandise and coal to Croydon and would return with agricultural produce, timber and lime. Dodds’ scheme was not adopted, however in 1800 another engineer, John Rennie, was commissioned. It was decided that a canal with locks was feasible if two reservoirs were constructed, one at Sydenham (now no longer visible) and one dug at Norwood. The reservoirs were to keep the highest of the locks supplied with water. On 22 October 1809 the 9.25 mile canal was opened. The canal company never really prospered and in 1836 The London and Croydon Railway Company purchased the canal and used part of the canal bed for its railway track.
The lake lay derelict for many years following the closure of the canal, but in 1881 a sports club was formed and the lake was used for fishing and swimming - and for skating in winter. A motor boat called the ‘Skylark’ gave members of the public trips around the lake - these continued until 1955. [There are still boats on the lake today, they are members of the Croydon Sailing Club]. In 1933 the lake and 28 acres of grounds were opened to the public. One of the entrances to the park and lake is in Woodvale Avenue.
Does anyone know when swimming ceased here?
The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded Croydon Council a grant of £275,000 to improve the lake and facilities within the park. Work should be completed by September 2004.
There is more about the Croydon Canal at
http://www.canalsguide.co.uk/croydon/ccintro.html
http://www.canalsguide.co.uk/croydon/ccintro.html
Oliver
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