A rarely-used name for the southern part of Norbiton, and formerly a separate parish. The 320-acre common was enclosed in
1808 and soon filled with farms and smallholdings. Norbiton Common Farm later became a branch of the Kingston workhouse. After
the railway reached Norbiton in the 1850s much of the agricultural land was sold off for development. Around Kingston Road
the original dwellings have almost all been replaced with council houses, which are now in a variety of states – some
cared for, some not. Despite the council’s specially targeted efforts, parts of Norbiton Common remain a blackspot for
rubbish dumping and particularly for graffiti, which covers everything from garden fences to lampposts. The Mount primary
school, on Dickerage Lane, takes most of its pupils from the neighbouring council estates. In line with the area’s ethnic
profile, the school has a growing number of Korean children. Three of the school’s dilapidated old buildings were demolished
in 1993 and have been replaced by the executive homes of Archdale Place. South of Kingston Road are the Kingsmeadow sports
complex and the Searchlight youth and community centre.
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