The Lodge Carshalton: Living Close to Nature
Hidden in the heart of Ruskin’s favourite London village, just behind the ponds, is a luxury development with a difference
If you don’t know Carshalton, you should; it’s one of London’s hidden gems. Beloved by Ruskin and home to Frank Dickinson’s arts and crafts masterpiece, Little Holland House, Carshalton, is a big destination in a village package.
Located at the source of the River Wandle, Carshalton is filled with delightful parks and historic buildings, boasting an 18th century water tower, nature reserve and a rather fine parish church with a Norman tower among its charms.
Community life here is thriving; Carshalton has its own Charter Fair, a Frost Fair at Christmas and on August Bank Holiday Monday hosts south London’s biggest community event – the Carshalton Environmental Fair. The community-owned pub is consistently voted one of the best in London, with regular beer festivals and celebrations; there’s a community cinema, heritage lavender fields and, for two weekends in the summer, Carshalton even boasts an art trail.
Take a stroll past Carshalton’s landmark ponds along Honeywood Walk and into the grounds of the Ecology Centre and you will encounter something a little different. Along the drive among the trees is the Lodge; an imposing Victorian building complete with red brick gables and six weather vanes. The current building dates from 1866, but it is built on, or likely remodelled from, an earlier building built by Isaac Porter in about 1782. The house has been owned by numerous families including James Gunter – owner of a fashionable tea rooms in Berkley Square which was apparently the only place in London where an unmarried lady could take tea with a gentleman without causing a scandal, and Francis Wyatt Truscott, who bought the house in 1878 and was Lord Mayor of London in 1879-80. In 1920/21 the Lodge became home to the Diocese of Southwark Seminary and then in 1944 was bought by the local council as part of an initiative to preserve the heritage of the area around Carshalton ponds for future generations.
Today, in keeping with this aim, the Lodge is being transformed into a unique development. Having been acquired by the charity EcoLocal, the Lodge is now home to seven luxury one and two bedroom flats as well as charity offices, community and environmental education facilities and a walled garden – all in the setting of 3.3 acres of local nature reserve.
Each apartment is completely individual and well-proportioned, combining convenient modern living in exceptional surroundings. Sensitive design enhances and preserves the key characteristics of The Lodge and its outbuildings, with large period windows giving stunning views across the nature reserve to historic Carshalton rooftops. In the main entrance hall a period tiled floor leads through to a beautiful original staircase complete with heritage roof lantern. Each flat comes with an allocated parking space and secure cycle storage.
This development is ideal for people who wish to enjoy living in a tranquil, natural setting with the advantages of village life. Carshalton Station is just a six minute stroll away, offering direct trains into London in 28 minutes.