Woodmansterne, The Village c.1955
Photo ref: W507011
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Photo ref: W507011
Photo of Woodmansterne, The Village c.1955

More about this scene

Nestled in the rear slopes of the North Downs, the village derives its ancient name from the Saxon word 'wudmeresthorn', meaning 'thornbush by the boundary of the wood', and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. This 1930s mock-Tudor shopping parade still stands on Rectory Lane as it winds its way south to the junction with the Chipstead Valley Road, where the buildings of the Woodmansterne Treatment Works, belonging to the Sutton and East Surrey Water Company, are just visible.

A Selection of Memories from Woodmansterne

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Woodmansterne

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

I was born 1943 in Purley Cottage Hospital, lived at 2 The Mount, christened at St Peters and taught at Woodmansterne Primary for a while. Walked to school via Hatch Lane and Rectory Lane and where they joined is, I think, where the photo was taken. The walk, as an unaccompanied 6/7 year old was not considered to be safe and even though the London Borough of Sutton was my home I was transferred to Smitham ...see more
I was christened here in 1942 and also confirmed in the mid 1950's
II was born and grew up here my name was Janice Kemp I have visited on a few occasions but the happy places where I went can never come again.
I was born in woodmansterne in1980. My parents lived in hempshaw avenue and my grandparents ran the woodman pub. I have fond memories of the village, the pub and the stories my dad tells me of when he was a boy growing up in woodmansterne.