Berrylands

infobox UK place
country = England
map_type = Greater London
region= London
population=
official_name= Berrylands
constituency_westminster= Kingston & Surbiton
post_town= SURBITON
postcode_area= KT
postcode_district= KT5
london_borough= Kingston upon Thames
dial_code= 020
os_grid_reference= TQ195675

Berrylands is a residential neighbourhood in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames that before 1965 formed part of the Municipal Borough of Surbiton. It is a suburban development situated convert|10.1|mi|km|1 south west of Charing Cross.

Etymology

Berrylands is a place-name that misleadingly suggests "land where berries grow". It actually means "land on a tumulus or hill", from Old English "beorg" (modern dialectal "barrow" meaning "hill"), cognate with Old Norse "bergr", "bjorgr" and "borgr" which mean the same thing, and Old English land "land. The name was recorded as Berilendes in 1126, and as Berulind in 1148 (wrongly suggesting Old English "lindr" "lime-tree" as the second element), and more recently as Barrilands in 1378, which shows the true origin as being from Old English "beorg".

In a sense, the name corresponds to the modern English "Hill Farm", a common name for farms (and some new residences) across the United Kingdom.

History

Berrylands is a settlement of Anglo-Saxon origin that is close to the Thames. It is part of Surbiton.Much of the present 1930s urban housing development took place on the former Berrylands Farm. It contained a Lido (swimming pool), the 'Surbiton Lagoon' at Gbmapping|TQ19606725. [ [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/oliver.merrington/lidos/lidos1closed.htm#surbiton Surbiton Lagoon was built in 1934 closed in 1980 demolished in the late 1980s] ] [ [http://kingstononline.co.uk/lagoon.htm Surbiton Lagoon photographs] ]

Present day

It is now notable for the 'Brave New World' bar which regularly plays host to live music. It is also home to the sports ground of the London School of Economics and Political Science. There is a large sewage works (Hogsmill) on the opposite side of the railway.

Housing

The neighbourhood is primarily residential. It houses a large commuter population using either the Berrylands, Surbiton or Tolworth railway station links to London.

Education

:"For education in Berrylands see the main Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames article."

Transport

* Berrylands railway station

Notable residents

* Tom King - Theatre Director

References