History of Charlton
Charlton was once a small rural village, separate from London. While the area has developed over time, it still retains elements of its village character, particularly around Charlton House.
The name 'Charlton' comes from the Anglo-Saxon term for a ‘farmstead of the freemen or peasants’.
Iron age fort
Evidence of early settlement has been found in Maryon Park. Archaeological excavations in the 1920s uncovered an Iron Age hill fort, along with remains from the Stone Age showing that people have lived in this area for thousands of years.
Charlton House and park
Charlton sits on high ground overlooking the River Thames.
At its heart is Charlton House, a Jacobean manor built between 1607 and 1612 by Adam Newton. It is considered one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in London.
Next to the house, you’ll find several historic features, including:
- the original stables
- a summer house
- Charlton Park, which forms part of the original grounds
- the parish church, which dates from a similar period
Poplar Cottage
Poplar Cottage, located on Charlton Road, is a 17th-century weather-boarded house.
It’s a rare surviving example of the rural buildings that once dominated Charlton before it became part of urban London.