The popular south London park getting a £1.5 million makeover

London has got absolutely tonnes of green spaces, some in better shape than others. One south London park, which locals are calling ‘run down’, has just won a £1.5 million grant from the National Lottery Fund for a massive renovation. 

Croydon’s Ashburton Park is due for some major improvements thanks to the fund. It will see a new bandstand built, replacing the derelict tea kiosk with a collapsed roof that currently occupies space in the park. Flooding issues in the park will also be addressed with improvements made to the historic wetlands area. 

This comes as part of the ‘100 Years of Ashburton Park’ project, which hopes to preserve the hundred-year-old green space for generations to come a year after its centenary which was in 2024. Back in the day, the park was once home to vineyards, stables, an Italian garden, and a croquet law. Today the grounds have tennis courts, a playground, a bowling green and a run-down running track.

A spokesperson of the Friends of Ashburton Park group told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: ‘This funding marks 100 years of history and honours all the communities that have enjoyed Ashburton Park as an urban sanctuary over the decades.

‘We are thrilled that the funding will revamp our heritage features, celebrate our history and welcome new flora and fauna through a range of ecological improvements. We are hugely grateful to the team at Croydon Council who worked tirelessly on this bid, and to the Heritage Lottery Fund.’

Jason Perry, Croydon’s Executive Mayor, said: ‘This funding will transform Ashburton Park into an even better space for residents now and in the future.’

Work will begin this summer, with the full job expected to be complete by November 2028. 

Tooting Bec Lido reopens this week for summer 2025.