| Warlingham | |
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Warlingham
Warlingham shown within Surrey |
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| Population | 7,970 [1] |
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| OS grid reference | TQ355585 |
| District | Tandridge |
| Shire county | Surrey |
| Region | South East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WARLINGHAM |
| Postcode district | CR6 |
| Dialling code | 01883 |
| Police | Surrey |
| Fire | Surrey |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | East Surrey |
| List of places: UK • England • Surrey | |
Warlingham is a large village on the south-eastern boundary of London, England, just across the border in Tandridge district, east Surrey. Neighbouring villages include Sanderstead, Hamsey Green, Whyteleafe, Farleigh, Fickleshole, Tatsfield and Woldingham. The nearest town to Warlingham is Caterham.
Warlingham is situated on the North Downs and parts of the village are 650 feet (200 metres) above sea level. This means that on the rare occasion it does snow in southern England, Warlingham will often get a light covering while neighbouring low-lying areas remain oblivious to its fall. Warlingham's height also allows for some panoramic views over central London (on the stretch of the Limpsfield road between Warlingham village and Botley Hill Farm). On a clear day all the major skyscrapers (including Canary Wharf, the Gherkin and the NatWest tower) can be seen, and the hills north of London can be made out on the horizon.
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The village lay within the Anglo-Saxon administrative division of Tandridge hundred.[2]
The name is probably derived from "The homestead (-ham) of the followers (-ing) of Waerla".
All Saints' Church Warlingham dates back to around the year 1250. Notable features include a 15th century wall painting of St Christopher. There is a tradition that Cranmer first experimented with the first Book of Common Prayer at this church.[3]
Notable former residents include Sir Joseph Swan, inventor of the incandescent light bulb and the reggae singer Smiley Culture whose controversial death occurred at his home in the village.[4]
During the Second World War, Warlingham was witness to the Battle of Britain, much of which was fought in the skies above this part of Surrey. The former RAF bases of Biggin Hill and Kenley were within a few miles of Warlingham in either direction, and from there fighters would intercept German bombers navigating their way up to London along the valley between Warlingham and Woldingham (then known as 'Bombers' Alley').
Warlingham War Memorial is now one of the central features of the village. It is a simple yet poignant monument dedicated to the great many local people who made sacrifices during the two world wars in the 20th Century.
From 1903 until 1999 the parish included Warlingham Park Hospital. This is now a residential estate. Only the Grade II listed Water Tower remains.
Today, most of Warlingham's population works in Croydon or central London, making Warlingham part of the London commuter belt.
Warlingham is also situated in the green belt, although the village is under much pressure from developers. The village is surrounded by the rolling chalk hillsides and woodlands of the North Downs. Parts of the adjacent Woldingham valley have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Blanchman's Farm Nature Reserve was set up in 1991 and was the first community wildlife area in Tandridge. It covers 10 hectares and includes a restored pond, around 10,000 native trees, and a path for wheelchair access.[5]
Warlingham is centered on a triangular village green, which is home to most of the village's commercial activities.
The shops in Warlingham include a Cooperative store, a Sainsburys, a Lloyd's Pharmacy, a post office, a DIY Store, a newsagent, two hair salons, a Natwest bank, two Indian restaurants, Park and Bailey estate agents and Streeter Marshall solicitors. Also situated on the green is a village hall, a few small houses, a gift shop, several dress shops and a fish and chip shop, named 'The Captain's Table' and four pubs of varying characters (including the old coaching Inn, the 'White Lion'). This unusual concentration of pubs in Warlingham is possibly partly due to the fact that neighbouring villages (including Sanderstead, Woldingham and Farleigh) do not have any pubs of their own.
There was some controversy a few years ago when the White Lion was taken over by a chain. The new owners made a number of changes to the pub including the removal of the historic pub sign and its replacement with a laminated corporate logo.
Prior to the opening of a large supermarket at the Chelsham end of Limpsfield Road, the village also supported a bakers, two butchers, a greengrocers another general grocers. These have all since closed, probably as a result of competition from the supermarket. The majority of local people opposed the building of the supermarket as did the local council. However, after the supermarket chain threatened to withdraw a traffic calming scheme the council capitulated and allowed the construction of the supermarket. This has led to a massive increase in traffic on Limpsfield Road and a sharp reduction in general trade for shops around the village green.[6]
In early 2008, a new Locksmith was opened in place of Unwins Wine Merchants, which had previously gone out of business. In the Summer of 2008, a nail bar was opened (replacing one of the former butchers) and a new coffee and sandwich shop was opened on the green (replacing Uptempo Music Store). In September 2008, Another coffee shop was opened next to the locksmith.
In early 2011, a furniture shop 'Warlingham Furniture', which had been located behind the nail bar for a year, opened next to the post office in place of "Valley Homes" which had been vacant for a while.
There are a number of schools in Warlingham. Warlingham School is closer to Hamsey Green than Warlingham (and is on the same campus as Hamsey Green Junior and Infant schools) and is a senior state school, with a thriving 6th Form. Warlingham Park School is a small private school which is very close to Chelsham Common (and is near the Great Park housing estate). There is also another primary school situated on Farleigh Road. It was called Farleigh school, until it was renamed Warlingham Village Primary School.
Nearby private schools include Caterham, Woldingham, Croydon High, Whitgift and Trinity.
Warlingham is lucky as it is effectively served by two railway stations which operate on separate railway lines (a legacy of the Victorian railway boom, and the competition between two private companies to service this part of Surrey).
Upper Warlingham railway station is about a mile from Warlingham and has fast Southern (train operating company) services to London Victoria and London Bridge as well as East Grinstead. Just a few minutes walk from Upper Warlingham is Whyteleafe railway station which has slightly slower trains to London and Caterham departing every quarter of an hour.
Warlingham has a few bus links with Croydon and is also connected to nearby Caterham. The Transport for London 403 route goes from Croydon to the Sainsbury's store via Sanderstead and runs every 12 minutes. It is operated by Arriva London. Metrobus route 409 also goes to Croydon via Selsdon. It also goes to East Grinstead (although some evening journeys only go as far as Lingfield) via Whyteleafe and Caterham. Metrobus also operate route 411 to Redhill which goes via Whyteleafe, Caterham and Godstone. Certain journeys also go to Tatsfield. Both routes also serve Greatpark housing estate in Chelsham Common (built on the site of Warlingham Park Hospital - previously known as Croydon Borough Asylum). On schooldays, Selkent operate a route to Saint Bede's school in Redhill and Southdown PSV operate route 657 to Reigate College.Warlinghams closest town for shopping is Oxted.
Warlingham Sports Club dates back to 1856.[7]
Warlingham is also home to Warlingham Rugby Football Club,[8] which was founded in 1922.
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