Figges Marsh

The park was named after William Figge who occupied the land from 1357.{{Cite web|title=Figge's Marsh {{!}} Hidden London|url=https://hidden-london.com/gazetteer/figges-marsh/|access-date=2021-07-31|language=en-GB}} In maps of 1750, it is referenced as Piggs Marsh; in 1800, as Pigs Marsh Common [see External Source, The Underground Map, for map extracts].

Signage, erected in 2012, at the southern end, recognises that Figges Marsh is protected in perpetuity as a Fields in Trust Queen Elizabeth II Field.{{cite web|url=https://www.fieldsintrust.org/FieldSite/Figges-Marsh|title=Figges Marsh|author=Fields in Trust|access-date= 18 February 2022}} This was in celebration of HM Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee & the 2012 London Olympics. The parks that participated in the scheme received a commemorative plaque, an oak sapling &, potentially, access to an improvement grant.{{Cite web|title=Figges Marsh {{!}} Fields in Trust|url=https://www.fieldsintrust.org/FieldSite/Figges-Marsh|access-date=2021-10-17|website=www.fieldsintrust.org}}

At the eastern boundary of Figges Marsh, during the medieval period, was the Biggin Farm estate.

Industry developed at the southern end of the park from 1800. The Pascall's confectionery factory was located here in 1888, built on land purchased from James Bridger's Manor Farm,{{Cite web|last=Wade|date=2016-03-12|title=James Pascall, Ltd.|url=https://mitchamhistorynotes.com/2016/03/12/pascall/|access-date=2021-07-31|website=Mitcham History Notes|language=en}} taking advantage of the locally grown peppermint oil.{{Cite web|last=Wade|date=2017-02-17|title=Peppermint in 1875|url=https://mitchamhistorynotes.com/2017/02/17/peppermint-in-1875/|access-date=2021-07-31|website=Mitcham History Notes|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Mentha|url=https://iwr.msu.edu/kht/TrailSites/8b_Mentha.html|access-date=2021-07-31|website=iwr.msu.edu}}{{Cite web|date=2008-05-19|title=Farming mint|url=https://www.thefield.co.uk/features/farming-mint-22762|access-date=2021-07-31|website=The Field|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2007-07-22|title=Sir Michael Colman, the man who is reviving the English mint crop|url=http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/jul/22/foodanddrink.features8|access-date=2021-07-31|website=the Guardian|language=en}}

However, the area to the east and west remained agricultural and open; Swain's & Tamworth farm, at the western boundary of Figges Marsh, are made reference to in the 1900 map [The Underground Map, as below]. That is, until the development of housing in the Victorian & Edwardian period.

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.theundergroundmap.com/article.html?id=7939&annum=1900 The Underground Map.com] – historical map of Figges Marsh from 1900
• Wikipedia, Toll Roads in Great Britain - summary of toll roads/turnpikes, in Great Britain
• [https://photoarchive.merton.gov.uk/collections/open-spaces/50061-figges-marsh Figges Marsh photograph from 1950s]

Image:Figges Marsh, looking south, alongside London Road.jpg|Figges Marsh, looking south, alongside London Road (at sunset, Dec 2020)

Image:Recent name plate erected at southern end of Figges Marsh, image 2 of 2.jpg|Name plate erected at southern end of Figges Marsh in 2012

Image:Recent name plate erected at southern end of Figges Marsh, image 1 of 2.jpg|Name plate erected at southern end of Figges Marsh in 2012

Image:Figges Marsh milestone - looking south east.jpg|London Road milestone opposite Figges Marsh, looking south east

Image:Figges Marsh milestone - looking east.jpg|London Road milestone opposite Figges Marsh, looking east

Image:Figges Marsh milestone - looking north.jpg|London Road milestone opposite Figges Marsh, looking north

Image:Figges Marsh milestone - looking south west.jpg|London Road milestone opposite Figges Marsh, looking south west

{{Coord|51.414|-0.160|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}

{{Green London}}

Category:Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Merton