Understand: redrafted to provide more balance
← Older revision
Revision as of 18:22, 16 August 2014
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Most areas of present South London were once towns and villages in the counties of '''[[Surrey]]''', '''[[Kent]]''' & '''Middlesex''' outside London, which were assimilated by London as it expanded rapidly in the 19th & 20th centuries. Surrey and Kent are still used as part of the official postal addresses for some areas of south London.
Most areas of present South London were once towns and villages in the counties of '''[[Surrey]]''', '''[[Kent]]''' & '''Middlesex''' outside London, which were assimilated by London as it expanded rapidly in the 19th & 20th centuries. Surrey and Kent are still used as part of the official postal addresses for some areas of south London.
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Most of outer South London is residential suburbia,
and
generally
of
little
tourist interest. The main towns of outer south London are Kingston upon Thames, [[London/Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], Sutton, Croydon, Bromley & Bexleyheath. Each of these towns are major commercial centres with major transport interchanges, entertainment
&
shopping centres.
+
Most of outer South London is residential suburbia,
but
this
is
punctuated by some sites of
tourist interest. The main towns of outer south London are Kingston upon Thames, [[London/Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], Sutton, Croydon, Bromley & Bexleyheath. Each of these towns are major commercial centres with major transport interchanges, entertainment
,
cultural and
shopping centres.
'''Kingston upon Thames''' would have to be considered the most interesting of the aforementioned towns for visitors. It is a former market town within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. It is where many Saxon kings were crowned before the invasion of William the Conqueror in 1066. It has a pleasant riverside location with views across the river to nearby '''Hampton Court Palace''' & Park [http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/?gclid=CKPLhKif7rQCFW_KtAodMVwAGg], which is a Tudor royal palace, built by Cardinal Wolesley for King Henry VIII. It has extensive viewing areas with rooms from various historical periods. There is also a large formal garden and maze, as well as substantial adjacent parkland and river walks along the Thames. The gardens are home to the annual Hampton Court Flower Show.[http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Hampton-Court-Palace-Flower-Show/2012?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mv_flower_shows&utm_content=shw_hampton_brand_nat&utm_term=hampton%20court%20palace]
'''Kingston upon Thames''' would have to be considered the most interesting of the aforementioned towns for visitors. It is a former market town within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. It is where many Saxon kings were crowned before the invasion of William the Conqueror in 1066. It has a pleasant riverside location with views across the river to nearby '''Hampton Court Palace''' & Park [http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/?gclid=CKPLhKif7rQCFW_KtAodMVwAGg], which is a Tudor royal palace, built by Cardinal Wolesley for King Henry VIII. It has extensive viewing areas with rooms from various historical periods. There is also a large formal garden and maze, as well as substantial adjacent parkland and river walks along the Thames. The gardens are home to the annual Hampton Court Flower Show.[http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Hampton-Court-Palace-Flower-Show/2012?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mv_flower_shows&utm_content=shw_hampton_brand_nat&utm_term=hampton%20court%20palace]
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===Croydon===
===Croydon===
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croydon]
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croydon]
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Known to some as the "''Dallas of the South''" due to the density of shiny glass and steel high rise office blocks, mostly owned by the Home Office government department. Wellesley Road runs north/south through Croydon and is home to the luxury Saffron Square apartment deveelopment, including an iconic 45 storey tower. The pedestrianised shopping precinct west of here is an attractive retail area. Croydon Town hall and
Clocktower
is
an imposing Victorian building just to the south of the retail centre. A new major re-generation plan has been announced, called ''Croydon Vision 2020'', which includes the new shopping centre and Croydon Gateway site (which includes an arena, park, offices and bars).
+
Known to some as the "''Dallas of the South''" due to the density of shiny glass and steel high rise office blocks, mostly owned by the Home Office government department. Wellesley Road runs north/south through Croydon and is home to the luxury Saffron Square apartment deveelopment, including an iconic 45 storey tower. The pedestrianised shopping precinct west of here is an attractive retail area. Croydon Town hall and
the
Clock Tower art centre are housed in
an imposing Victorian building just to the south of the retail centre. A new major re-generation plan has been announced, called ''Croydon Vision 2020'', which includes the new shopping centre and Croydon Gateway site (which includes an arena, park, offices and bars).
Croydon has a cross-section of British history: Among its famous residents were author Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, model Kate Moss, journalist Émile Zola, dubstep pioneer Benga, and punk rocker Captain Sensible of The Damned.
Croydon has a cross-section of British history: Among its famous residents were author Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, model Kate Moss, journalist Émile Zola, dubstep pioneer Benga, and punk rocker Captain Sensible of The Damned.