Tooting Bec Common Stone

Tooting Bec Common Stone 1

Image by baza

baza Feb 27, 2005 20:15:54

Whilst travelling through South London with a friend, she said to me: "Do you want to see a standing stone?"

A few minutes later I was standing in Tooting Bec Common with a stone, protected by railings, in front of me.

I've not been able to find out anything about this stone, other than a picture here:

http://pages.britishlibrary.net/tooting/common_large_pond.html

...which calls it "Wood Stone."

Does anyone know anything about it? Being in London, I presume that it's regarded as a sarsen or glacial erratic. Anyone know?

Baz

ocifant Feb 28, 2005 12:44:49

Replying to baza

You haven't given a map ref Baz, which would have helped, but looking on Old-maps, start at Streatham. Go left (West), and there's a Wood Lodge marked. Slightly above this is a splodge on the map, which may or may not have read 'Stone' at some point - just below the 'portions' legend on the map.

Could this be it? If so, it was there in 1874 - not quite prehistoric, but at least we know it's not 'modern' in the 1960's regeneration sense!

Squid Tempest Feb 28, 2005 13:51:26

Replying to baza

blimey! that's right on my doorstep and I've never seen it! where on the common was it? can you give directions?

Wow!
Squid
x

Vybik Jon Feb 28, 2005 18:19:18

Replying to baza

Our Squid is a bit puzzled by this as he's regulary on Tooting Bec, what with living on it's...er...becstep. He wants to know precisely where it is.

I said I'd ask if one of you could go and paint it flourescent yellow so that he can spot it tonight.

That okay?

baza Feb 28, 2005 20:35:15

Replying to baza

I've posted some pics:

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/6999

It's next to the larger pond on Tooting Bec Common. I parked in the lido car park and walked over some sports pitches to reach it. However, looking at the map, there appears to be a nearer car park in Dr Johnson Ave, with a footpath leading most of the way to the stone, which is just to the north of the pond. You can see the pond in my pics.

Baz