Norbiton Common, Kingston upon Thames
A rarely-used name for the southern part of Norbiton, and formerly a separate parish
The 320-acre common was enclosed in 1808 and soon filled with farms and smallholdings. Norbiton Common Farm later became a branch of the Kingston workhouse. After the railway reached Norbiton in the 1850s much of the agricultural land was sold off for development.
Around Kingston Road the original dwellings have almost all been replaced with council houses, which are now in a variety of states – some cared for, some not. Despite the council’s specially targeted efforts, parts of Norbiton Common remain a blackspot for rubbish dumping and particularly for graffiti, which covers everything from garden fences to lampposts. The Mount primary school, on Dickerage Lane, takes most of its pupils from the neighbouring council estates. In line with the area’s ethnic profile, the school has a growing number of Korean children. Three of the school’s dilapidated old buildings were demolished in 1993 and have been replaced by the executive homes of Archdale Place. South of Kingston Road are the Kingsmeadow sports complex and the Searchlight youth and community centre.
Kingsmeadow is home to Kingstonian football club and AFC Wimbledon – the supporters’ breakaway from Wimbledon FC, formed in 2002. Kingstonian moved here in 1989 and the ground was improved to Football League standard early in 2001. AFC Wimbledon ascended to the Football League in 20011.
