Spa Wood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spa Wood |
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The Lawns
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| Type | Park |
| Location | London Borough of Croydon |
| Operated by | London Wildlife Trust |
Spa Wood is a very old forest area located in the London Borough of Croydon. It was once a part of a much bigger forest called The Great North Wood.
In 2017, the London Wildlife Trust started a four-year project. They worked with Croydon Council and a group called the Friends of Spa Wood. Their goal was to make Spa Wood a better place for wildlife. This project is part of the larger Great North Wood Project. This area is about 15.5 acres (6.3 hectares) and is also known as The Lawns. The Borough of Croydon owns it, and it includes the woods, a sports court, and a playground.
Contents
The History of Spa Wood
Spa Wood has a long and interesting past. It's named after a famous old health spa.
The Lost Spring
Long ago, there was a special spring in this area. Locals knew about this spring for hundreds of years. Some even say it might have been known since the time of King John. This spring had iron in its water, which people believed was good for health. Even though the spring is now gone, its history is still remembered.
From Coppice to Spa
A map from the year 1800 shows this area was called Bewlye Coppice. It was right next to Bewlye Farm.
Spa Wood got its name from the Beulah Spa. This was a very popular health spa built here in 1831. A famous architect named Decimus Burton designed the spa gardens and buildings. He also designed parts of London Zoo and the Wellington Arch.
The spa grounds were amazing! They had a circus ring, a rose garden, two lakes, and a maze. There was even a camera obscura and a telescope that could see Windsor Castle. An orchestra played music for visitors.
Famous Visitors and Decline
Lady Essex officially opened the spa. Many famous people visited, including Queen Victoria, William I, German Emperor, and Charles Dickens. It was incredibly popular for many years.
However, in 1856, the spa started to lose its popularity. This happened two years after the Crystal Palace opened nearby. The spa eventually closed down. Today, only the original lodge building remains, which is now called Tivoli Lodge.
The Lawns Mansion
In May 1858, the land was sold and new buildings were put up. A large mansion called 'The Lawns' was built later on. Sadly, this mansion was destroyed by a fire in the 1960s.
