The name suggests this was a wood where charcoal was burnt for fuel.  The High Street is the original Roman Stane Street between London and Winchester, which was the capital in mediaeval times. The settlement probably relied on trade from travellers.  In the 18th century, a large country house and gardens was created for a London lawyer, Francis Barlow.  The garden was progressively sold off for development in the 19th century although the house itself was not replaced until the early 20th century.

Working for a local council can’t be all that exciting, but one person who has an amusing job, is the person who gets to name new streets. When Collier’s Wood was being built, I’m guessing this guy was sitting in his office with nothing much to do, and he happened to be reading his Penguin copy of Robinson Crusoe, so when the next tranche of new streets came across his desk, he named them all for Daniel Defoe characters. There’s Crusoe Road and Robinson Road, for example. I’m told this little area just east of Colliers Wood tube station is also the most desirable for houses.

Cavendish Road and neighbouring roads such as Marlborough and Warren Roads are the most sought after. These are mainly Victorian and Edwardian terraces, with some more modern buildings too. There are more homes to be found on the west side of Colliers Wood High Street near Wandle Park in roads such as Boundary and Denison Roads and other nearby streets. Mead Park is a newish estate of houses and flats in this area.