Parson’s Pightle, Croydon
A semi-developed corner of the extensive swathe of green belt that lies south-west of Old Coulsdon
Simplified map of Parson’s Pightle
Coulsdon Parsonage was a nine-bay, 18th-century house that served as the rectory for the parish church of St John the Evangelist, which stands half a mile to the north. The parsonage was remodelled as a private residence in 1841 and the name Parson’s Pightle seems to date from this time. A ‘pightle’ was a croft or small enclosure, but by the 19th century it was an archaic word and there’s no evidence of its previous use at this location. Thus, right from the start, the name may have been chosen purely for its quaintness.
Some of Parson’s Pightle’s grounds have been preserved as part of Happy Valley Park, though only a few of the original trees remain here. The house itself was demolished in the 1960s during the construction of a small municipal housing estate. (Those were the days when councils merrily knocked down historic houses on a whim.)
One of the estate’s principal avenues is named after the most illustrious occupant of Parson’s Pightle, Admiral Sir William Goodenough, who commanded the Royal Navy’s second light cruiser squadron during the First World War. Goodenough died in 1945 and was buried at St John’s church. A footpath at the western edge of the estate is called the Admiral’s Walk.
Lacey Green take its names from medieval landowners who came from Lassy in Normandy. Ellis Road is named after FHB Ellis, who was chairman of Coulsdon and Purley urban district council.
The sports ground on the lane called Parsons Pightle (sadly spelt with no apostrophe, and shown below in Street View) is home to Purley John Fisher RFC. The 12th Caterham Scout Group has its headquarters next door.
Postcode area: Coulsdon CR5
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