Did you know that...
Berrylands KT5 name has nothing to do with berries. The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon words “beorg” which means hill or barrow and land. The meaning of the name is “land on a “hill”. The first mention of the name Berilendes comes from 1126. Twenty-two years later, this KT5 area is recorded as Berulind. The Barrilands spelling was used in the 14th century. The area developed as a settlement after 1930. Most of the houses are built on the grounds of the old Berrylands Farm. Surbiton Lagoon was a local swimming pool opened in 1934. Architect HT Mather designed the complex that featured a large pool with nine feet maximum depth. Channel swimmer Ivy Hawke attended the opening ceremony. The lagoon closed in 1980. Berrylands Park was built on the site of the old lagoon.
Four parades of shops provide residents with various services. Some of the shops date from 1930. The area features bookshops, barbers, hairdressers, doctor surgery, and more. The local railway station was opened in 1933. There are numerous pubs and restaurants. The best-known pub, The Berrylands, has a kids’ area and also a sports bar. It is known among the locals as The Berry. Several Italian and French restaurants and a bakery are found here as well. Family restaurants and gastro pubs offer something for everyone.
Berrylands houses display inter-war architecture. The Parkside estate has some Modernist Art Deco buildings. Raeburn Open Space is known as the Berrylands Nature Reserve. It is a Grade I conservation area. The reserve runs along Tolworth Brook, which is also called Surbiton Stream. Birds such as stock doves, jays, and great spotted woodpeckers live here. Ringlet butterflies have been sighted in this area. The Berrylands Festival takes place each year in Berrylands Park. It is organized by the local scout group.
