The elegant Georgian buildings of Addington Square stand out from the rest of Walworth. The square has a long and slightly bizarre history.
The houses were built at the terminus of the Grand Surrey Canal. The canal lasted until the 1970s, running through what is now Burgess Park. North of the square once hosted public baths; if you see the stone plaque for King George’s Field, you are looking at where they once stood.
From 1921 until the 1960s, Addington Square hosted the headquarters of Waitrose, in buildings in the south east corner, which now demolished form part of Burgess Park.
In the 60s, the square was the home of the Richardson crime family. Local legend holds that 33 Addington Square was a private club used by the gang for both parties and torture. It is said that the gang kept pet bears in the house, and that on one occasion a bear escaped from the building and made it as far as Camberwell Road.
The square fell into such disrepute, that in the 70s the council considered demolishing the buildings in their expansion of Burgess Park. What a relief they survived.
You are seeking a small traditional cache.