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Beddington, St Mary the Virgin

Address: 
Church Road, Beddington Park, SM6 7NH
Number of bells: 
10
Tenor Weight: 
18¼ cwt
Practice night: 
Thursday
Ringing Times: 

Sunday Service: 8.55 - 9.30 am, 5.55 - 6.30 pm
Practice: 7.45 - 9.30 pm

Ground floor ring: 
No
Tower Entry Details: 

Entry is at the north side of the tower, through the vestry. The door is kept locked on practice nights, so the following system must be used: on the right of the door, under a carved head, is a mouldy green button. Press this, then go round to the front of the tower and the key will be thrown down to you!

Contact: 

Tower Contact: sjk [at] cantatemusic [dot] co [dot] uk (Subject: Enquiry from Surrey Association web site) (Jean Kimber)

Location: Map Ref: TQ295653

Other details: This tower has its own web site.

History

There has been a place of worship on the site since AD 894. The present church is mainly medieval with Elizabethan and Victorian additions. It is a very beautiful church and contains a much admired William Morris organ screen. Next-door is the Tudor Manor House of the Carew family, one of whose relatives was Elizabeth Throgmorton, wife of Sir Walter Raleigh. He often stayed at the Manor with his body reputed to be buried under the Carew Chapel, on the south side of the chancel. There is a strong musical tradition at Beddington, with a 3-manual Willis organ and excellent fully robed choir, and a very varied concert programme each year. The ringers too, enjoy a high profile. All visitors are made most welcome.

Transport

  • By Road: Church is on the north side of Croydon Road - A232 (Croydon - Sutton road). Free parking is available in Church Road adjoining the church, but avoid the double yellow lines. In busy summer periods drive on down Church Road, through the Park gates and follow the road around to the right to a car park near the river.
  • By Train: To Waddon station, take 407 or 410 bus or walk, 20 minutes along Croydon Road, or to Hackbridge station and walk through the Park.

Facilities

Toilet facilities are available in the new centre attached to the church, on the north side of the chancel. There is also internal access from the tower.

After practice night, the ringers now patronise the Duke's Head on Wallington Green, westwards along the A232. There is a car park accessed by turning left at the lights and then right, behind the pub.  Parking is also available in the road and in front of the pub.

Turning eastwards along the A232 are two good Indian restaurants, frequented by clergy, choir and ringers. There is a Chinese restaurant and a fish & chips shop. Near Waddon station is a McDonalds and south of Fiveways, near the old Croydon Airport, is a newish complex (Colonnades) with another McDonalds, Pizza Hut, large pub, Bowling Alley and a couple of Night Clubs! (Free Parking). Further westwards in Carshalton, are numerous pubs and restaurants.

Beddington, St Mary the Virgin