houses in Addington Road Selsdon was historically a rural area; most of it was part of Selsdon Park Estate, once well known as hunting and shooting grounds. It is mentioned in the
Domesday book (associated with
Sanderstead).
George Smith (30 April 1765 – 26 December 1836) MP, banker and a director of the East India Company, bought the freehold in 1810. He transformed the Selsdon farm into a manor house, 'Selsdon Park'. Smith was a great-great-grandfather (through George's granddaughter
Frances Bowes-Lyon, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne) of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (wife to
King George VI), and therefore also ancestor of
Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III. His memorial is in All Saints Church, Sanderstead. Following his family's residence in Selsdon, from 1890 there were two further owners until 1925, when the last 'Squire' died and the manor was sold for development. The house was to become a hotel and golf course (golf course closed and 'rewilded' in 2023) and from 1926 onwards the surrounding farmland began to be developed into what was then known as '
Selsdon Garden Village'. After concerns were raised about the rapid development of the village, a committee was formed to ensure that an area of would be set aside and saved for a
nature reserve and
bird sanctuary. This took over 10 years of public fundraising and became was one of the earliest parts of London's
green belt. This opened to the public in 1936 and was given to the
National Trust after
Coulsdon and Purley Urban District Council and the
Corporation of Croydon agreed to manage it jointly.
Selsdon Wood now consists of five large meadows surrounded by extensive woodland and ancient hedges, and it retains the character of a historical woodland. Much wildlife may be found in the wooded areas of Selsdon; such as deer, and more recently parakeets. In a similar way, Selsdon's second largest public woodland,
Littleheath Woods was also saved by public subscription. Through Selsdon nature Reserve and Littleheath Woods runs the
Vanguard Way and the London Loop which are well marked walking trails. The old Estate mansion had been converted into the
Selsdon Park Hotel in 1925. and the
Selsdon Group was later formed within the Conservative Party to campaign for its retention. The Selsdon Resident Association is one of the longest running associations in the UK, formed in 1926. It organises and fundraises for an annual highstreet 'cross street' Christmas light display.
The Selsdon Gazette, also organised by the association is a monthly free publication of local news and stories; it has been published since 1946. Singer
Kirsty MacColl grew up in Selsdon and attended local schools. Premiership footballer
Wilfried Zaha was a pupil at Selsdon High school (Quest Academy) – the same school where, in 1975, the later England football team manager
Roy Hodgson taught PE and English. Supermodel
Kate Moss lived on the borders of Selsdon during her childhood (from 1974 to 1988). There have also been several famous alumni of
Croydon High School, which is based in Selsdon. == Geography ==