All Saint's, Carshalton
All Saints, Carshalton, was recorded in the Domesday Book. The tower is the oldest part of the present building and it bears all the signs of having been there before the Norman Conquest. It is thought that parts of the tower are probably XI century or possibly earlier.
About 1150 a nave was built to the west of the tower, together with a north aisle, both demolished in late 19th century rebuild. In about 1200 three bays of a south aisle were added; these and the lower exterior stonework are visible to-day as the outer south aisle. At about this time the arches beneath the tower space were altered and a chancel (now the Lady Chapel) was added, Within two hundred years or so the windows had been filled in and replaced with larger ones, and the late XIV century timber roof was added.
Sir William Scawen, founder governor of the Bank of England, was responsible for a fine monument and for raising the roof of the outer south aisle to accommodate it. His neighbour Sir John Fellowes, a director of the South Sea Company did something similar in the former north aisle.
At some stage in XVIII century a gallery was placed across the west wall, and then along the raised aisle walls. The chancel was for a time used as a school, and a vestry room placed where the altar now is.
By the time Lord Victor Seymour became rector in 1884 significant parts of the church had become unsafe. The Blomfields, uncle and nephew, were commissioned to carry out the re-design of the north side of the church. So the church we see from the ponds is the work of Blomfield whilst the church seen from the churchyard on the south is medieval with later additions.
The interior of the church has much gilding and painting and a decorated organ. There is a beautiful painted screen of the 12 apostles. If the church is unlocked it is well worth a visit, or if not you can get a glimpse through the windows from the churchyard.
Around the ponds can be seen many ancient buildings, including The Greyhound PH, dating in parts from around 1700, Woodmans, the 16th century building, originally a priest’s house and later a butchers with the meat hooks still hanging outside. Honeywood which faces the pond houses the local museum. Alongside Honeywood is an enormous London Plane tree over 200 years old and with a girth of over 16 feet, said to be the tallest London Plane tree. These ponds are fed by natural springs and are one of the main sources of the River Wandle. See photos below.
To find the cache go to the above co-ordinates where you will find the tallest memorial in this part of the churchyard dedicated to Admiral Wallace Houston and his wife Caroline Frederica. She was born on AB November CDEF and died on G August HJKL. Cache is 25mm film canister.
The cache can be found at: N51 FK.(G+C)(E+F)D W00 BJ.(L+F)L(A-E)
You will need to cross the main road and you will find a pedestrian crossing outside the Co-op in the High Street.
If you follow the river downstream through the park you will reach Carshalton Baptist Church CM. If you have children with you there is an excellent children’s play area in the park.
Please note the cache is now a nano.
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If anybody would like to expand this series please do. We would just ask that you contact sadexploration first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names and to avoid duplication
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