History of Addington Village

Village History

Addington Village has one main street, Addington Village Road which is no longer a through route between Croydon and Bromley since it was replaced by Kent Gate Way and is centred around St Mary's Church and Churchyard (c.1080) and Addington Palace with its golf club and park. Until the second world war, it comprised of farmland, mostly leased from the owners of Addington Palace. There is a public house and a co-operative stores and post office served the community until 1972.

Spout Hill

This was known as Shaw Hill until 1843 when Archbishop Howley provided a water supply for the village from a spring. The lion lodges were erected when Addington Place was rebuilt in 1778-9 although the pillars were moved from the other side of the park. The corner was the site of the village school, provided by Archbishop Howley in 1844 and demolished in 1967. Prior to this two old cottages had served as a small workhouse and schoolroom. A working forge (rebuilt in 1740) remains on the left. Just beyond this is a pleasant rebuild of farm buildings with the retained farm cottage. Further along is the cricket green, home to Addington Cricket Club (founded in 1743). Addington Park Farm lies above the far left hand corner and the Old Vicarage of 1867 to the right. Addington Park Farm is a Georgian building but encloses an ancient open hall house.

Addington Village Road

Old cottages remain on the left hand side. On the right beyond Spout Hill, Flint Cottage was formerly three dwellings of 1796. On the corner of Lodge Lane was the village store and post office which also served teas. St Mary's Church has parts dating to 1080 and 1210 with later work of 1773 and 1876. The churchyard has over 1000 memorials including one to five archbishops who are buried there. Adjacent is the church hall, built in 1966 on the site of a barn and opposite the war memorial. The Cricketers pub of 1847 replaced the Tudor Three Lions. Opposite are the remaining buildings of Home Farm.