Kings Wood as it is known today has
also been called Sanderstead Wood - at some time in the past the names
have been transcribed on a map leading to the confusion over the name.
(The ‘King’ in Kings Wood refers to an owner of the wood and
has no connection with royalty). In 1844 it was oak coppice, later converted
into a game covert for hunting. The pattern of intersecting rides still
survives to provide a series of footpaths for public access. It was purchased
in 1937 under the Green Belt Act and is managed by the council as an open
space. Before the Second World War it was valuable woodland, but most
of the best trees were removed by the army during the war.
Addington/Shirley Hills Coulsdon Common
Croham Hurst
Farthing Downs/
Happy Valley
Kenley Common
Kings Wood
Lloyd Park
Riddlesdown
Selsdon Wood
South Norwood
Country Park
South Norwood Lake
Waddon Ponds
Site
Records
Location - TQ3560
The main access is from Orchard Road, off Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead.
Other entrances are off Kingswood Lane, Harewood Gardens, Leighton Gardens/Hazlewood
Grove and Kingswood Way.
Public transport
Bus: 403 along Limpsfield Road
Habitat
Old woodland, some of which is now being coppiced again, with a small
pond in the wood itself..
Species
This has been an under-recorded site, but many of the usual woodland birds
are present. Recent highlights have included Golden Oriole and Willow
Tit.
