NHER 33721 (Monument record) - Church Walk/Walsingham Way

Also known as Walsingham Way from Lord Walsingham.
In existence as avenue before 1792. Established as way to church by Enclosure Commissioners in 1801. Bisected by railway in 1868. Replanted 1901-2 as coronation walk, with ornamental gates at each end given by Lord Walsingham from Merton estate, avenue of lime trees backed by hedges. Railway closed 1963; in 1965 walk used for access to new council home which resulted in severe damage. Despite refusal to remove the gates for scrap during World War Two they were removed in 1966; two leaves remain in store, but flanking railings are in situ embossed WALSINGHAM 1902.
New limes planted across line of railway which is an inaccurate restoration as the railway preceded the limes.
(S1) three-star (national importance) as example of 18th century public walk.
See (S1) for details.
E. Rose (NLA), 21 July 1998.

Copy of (S2) in file for NHER 8956 notes that despite the date of 1902 the gates were of the 1830s and made by the architect Blore for Merton Hall.
E. Rose (NLA), 31 January 2005.

The gates and gate piers at the western and eastern ends of the walk were separately listed in 1983.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 May 2023.