Finding the Villas....Part 2 It is surprisingly difficult to find out exact dates for when the villas were demolished. However, an Ordnance Survey map of 1959 shows all eight villas whereas one revised and published in 1968 show that The Hoo, Fairwood and Fernbank had, by that time, been demolished. Lapsewood Demolished sometime in the early 1970s, very little remains of this substantial house. Adjacent to Sydenham Hill, the levelled ground is some 2-3 metres lower and this marks the site of the house. There is a high brick retaining wall that divided the grounds of Lapsewood from those of Beechgrove next door. Although not shown on the 1870 map, that of 1916 shows the gap between Lapsewood House and this wall had been filled in by a glass structure, perhaps a conservatory. Further along Cox's Walk, the remains of the greenhouses can be found emerging from the ivy. Mainly brick footings and retaining walls, also there are some tiling panels still to be found. The mul...
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