Woodside, London

Infobox UK place
official_name= Woodside
region= London
country= England
latitude= 51.387849
longitude= -0.067509
map_type= Greater London
post_town= CROYDON
postcode_area= CR
postcode_district= CR0
post_town1= LONDON
postcode_area1= SE
postcode_district1= SE25
dial_code= 020
os_grid_reference= TQ344672
london_borough= Croydon
constituency_westminster= Croydon Central

Woodside is a neighbourhood in the London Borough of Croydon located between Addiscombe and South Norwood. Woodside is a suburban district of residential streets based around Woodside Green, a small sized area of green land. At one end of the green is a war memorial. It is surrounded by residential properties, with the main shopping parade at one end. Portland Road, an important distributor road, leads away from the green towards South Norwood, and has many more shops, restaurants, pubs and a swimming pool. The green still has a somewhat villagey feel with several old houses and cottages around it. Housing is largely Victorian terraces or more recent developments of small flats. There are some attractive pubs including the Joiner's ArmsFact|date=June 2007.

Woodside was first mentioned in 1332, one of the older settlements in the area. It is likely to signify 'at the side of the Great North Wood', which gives its name to Norwood. Woodside was largely agricultural land, but its heavy soil enabled a brick-making industry to form from 1815. The brickworks' chimneys dominated the area, and following their closure in 1974, a new open space known as Brickfield Meadows serves the community. Woodside Racecourse opened in 1866 on nearby Stroud Green Farm, now the site of Ashburton Community School, closing in 1890.

Woodside station was built to serve visitors to the racecourse in 1871. The station was served by the Woodside and South Croydon Railway. It is now served by Tramlink routes 1 and 2, with services to Croydon and the London Borough of Bromley.

Woodside is part of the electoral ward of Woodside, one of 24 of the London Borough of Croydon, which covers a wider area up to Norwood Junction railway station, including South Norwood Country Park. The area identifying primarily as Woodside has gradually shrunk with most living within the SE25 postcode now terming themselves 'South Norwood'.

Nearest places

*Addiscombe
*South Norwood
*Elmers End
*Shirley, London
*Selhurst

Nearest stations

*Woodside station
*Norwood Junction railway station
*Arena tram stop
*Harrington Road tram stop
*Blackhorse Lane tram stop
*Elmers End station

See also

*Croydon Arena
*Woodside Green
*Ashburton Park
*SE25

References

*Canning and Clyde Road Residents Association and Friends. (2000) "The Book of Addiscombe", Halsgrove.
* [http://www.croydon.gov.uk/aboutyourarea/woodside/?view=Search+results&a=5441 Streets within the Ward of Woodside]