Recent History
'Farthing Downs — it is as though we walk along the smooth, rounded back of a huge animal, in mutual isolation from humankind.
Written by Helen Corke.
This beautiful observation was made by Helen Corke about a walk she made in 1911 with her friend, the famous novelist DH Lawrence, when they were both teachers in Croydon.
Originally owned by Edmund Byron, Lord of the Manor, the City of London Corporation purchased the land in 1883. Although the landowner changed, the way the land was managed didn't; livestock still grazed an open landscape.
With the outbreak of Worid War II this view dramatically altered when a large number of anti-glider ditches were constructed across the open space. and the surrounding area took many blows from hostile bombs and falling aircraft during the war.
( photo captions )
- Places where bombs struck Farthing Downs ( black circles )
- View of the Downs in the early 20th Century Photograph courtesy of Roger Packham

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Early History
Chalk Grassland
Open Spaces
The City of London
Lord Nelson Memorial, a War Memorial
Merton Place
Dorking War Memorial, a War Memorial
Golden Jubilee Fountain
Home Park and the Long Water
The Broad Walk

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