A few dry valleys with natural underground drainage merge and connect to the main headwater of the River Wandle, as a winterbourne (stream), so commonly called "the Bourne".

[14] In 675, Frithwald, an Ealdorman and viceroy of King Wulfhere of Mercia, gave land at Cuthraedesdune to Chertsey Abbey.

In 1545, Henry VIII granted two homes with land in Whattingdon and Coulsdon, Welcombes and Lawrences, to Sir John Gresham, the manor having been owned by Chertsey Abbey in the 8th century, when it was recorded as Whatindone.

Then, having sold a large amount of land in 1838 to the 'London to Brighton railway company', they moved from Hooley House to Portnall's Farm.

After his use of the inclosure acts was curtailed when he lost a case in 1877 at the Court of Chancery,[25][26][27] large areas were sold in 1883 to the Corporation of London.

[34] For many centuries, the lands contained several farms and manors and only on the coming of the railway were a few wealthy people from outside the traditional borders attracted to build grand houses, by 19th century descriptions, such as: This parish, which is situated on the road from London to Brighton, occupies an elevated position, and commands extensive and varied prospects.Until 1921, the Byron family had largely maintained this tradition, despite sales of earlier land.

The area developed mixed suburban, and in its centre urban, housing: The whole aspect of the parish has been completely transformed during the last twenty years by building.

It was a little while ago entirely rural with a few new houses scattered along the line of the railway and up the valley towards Caterham, whence another deep depression in the chalk runs down to Smitham Bottom.

Now there are continuous rows of villas and cottages and shops from Croydon to south of Coulsdon station.The valley and routes in Smitham Bottom encouraged some early settlements.

The coming of the railway and improved road links encouraged buildings along the sides of the major roadways and close to the stations.

[43][44] Additional variations include Curedesdone 675, Cudredesdone 675, Cudredesdune 967, Coulsdon 1083, Colesdone 1085, Culesdon 1234, Culisdon 1242, Cudredestreow 1251, Cullesdon 1266, Colesdene 1287, Colesdon 1290, Colesdun 1290, Culesdon 1291, Culesden 1292, Colieston 1324, Coulesden 1326, Coueleston 1332, Colisdon 1344, Culeston 1346, Cullysdon 1377, Cullisdoun 1403, Cullesdoun 1422, Culledon 1424, Colynsdon 1428, Collesdon 1439, Culsdon 1446, Cowlesdon 1539, Collesden 1544, Cowlesdowne 1553, Cullesdoy 1556, Colsdon 1558, Cowlesden 1558, Cullesden 1558, Cowllysdon 1567, Cowisden 1618, Coulsden 1619, Cowsdon 1620, Coolsden 1650, Coulesden 1650, Coilsoun 1655, Coulden 1655.

[9] Alternatively the name originates from the Celtic or primitive Welsh "cull", meaning a leather bag, scrotum, bosom, womb or belly.

The central area has substantial industrial, automotive and distribution services, convenience, standard socialising and niche retail as well as local professions of a typical town in the country, by its main road and main railway stations: Coulsdon South and Coulsdon Town.

London's 'Brighton Road', locally the official name, and the railways, served by both semi-fast and stopping services, give Smitham Bottom/Valley a bustling, busier setting for economic life.

St John's is late thirteenth century with extensive later additions, made of flint and rubble with much brick patching.

[59] At the heart of the geographical feature Smitham Bottom (where three dry valleys merge into one)[20] is this downtown part of the district.

The various local feeder roads reach this street, including the combined one from the south-east, Marlpit Lane, under the A23 without needing a junction with that trunk (long-distance) route (which later becomes the M23).

The Mount or Clockhouse is a square neighbourhood on a hill plateau with marked borders along three residential roads from Coulsdon, one of which continues from the town centre as the London Loop path, via the Banstead Downs and East Ewell to Nonsuch Palace 4 miles (6.4 km) north-west.

[62] Some residents protested concerns relating to the likely effect on local infrastructure, including access routes, the proposed mix of housing, transport, notably road traffic, and the provision of educational services.

[29][30] The London Borough of Croydon own and maintain several parks, including Happy Valley, which, together with Farthing Downs, is designated is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

A memorial park and recreation ground was purchased from the Byrons by Coulsdon and Purley Urban District Council and Hall & Co Ltd in 1920, it was opened in 1921.

The London Loop footpath passes through Happy Valley and Farthing Downs between Hamsey Green and Banstead.

[76] Gordon Pirie (1931–1991), an English long-distance runner lived in Coulsdon and was a member of South London Harriers, one of the oldest and most successful athletics club in Britain.

The club competes in cross-country, road running and track and field events, and trains from its Coulsdon HQ three times a week.

The club has been heavily involved in recent years in building an eight lane all weather running track at Woodcote School.

It was one of the strongest teams in the country in the late 18th and early 19th century and once boasted eight England internationals, as well as a young Stuart Surridge.

The club was possibly the first to use three stumps and two bails and frequently played matches on the most famous early cricket grounds such as Mitcham, and later in Grange Park in the village.

[99] The Memorial Gardens has an adventure park, crazy golf, basketball, tennis, cricket and, in the summer, 'beach games' and events organised by the café.

[100] Rickman Hill Park hosts football, and has a children's playground, a zip wire, and tennis courts that were refurbished in 2009.

[106][107] To maintain a regular elevation at Coulsdon required large changes in direction and the construction of 20 ft embankments and a road bridge.