Camberwell, Surrey

Description
Camberwell, a large parish in the south of London, having an area of 4450 acres, and a population of 235,344. Under the Redistribution of Seats Act of 1885 it was divided into the three parliamentary boroughs of North Camberwell, Peckham, and Dulwich. North Camberwell has 88,916 inhabitants. Ermine Street, coming up from Lambeth Ferry, passed through south-eastward, going into Kent at Oak of Honour Hill, and traces of it were found at the cutting of the Surrey Canal. Oak of Honour Hill is said to have acquired its name from Queen Elizabeth's dining on it under an oak. St Thomas Watering, near this, was a resting-place of the Canterbury pilgrims, and a marble head of Janus was found there. Camberwell Grove, in the suburb, is now occupied by a handsome range of houses. Camberwell manor house, near Denmark Hill, was a curious ancient mansion, converted subsequently into a school. Camberwell Green was formerly notorious as the scene of a crowded pleasure fair on three days in August, but is now surrounded by iron railings, and laid out in gravel walks, flower plots, and shrubbery.