Woodside was first mentioned in 1332, and is thought to signify its location adjacent to the Great North Wood, a formerly extensive forest which gives its name to the various 'Norwoods' in the area.

[2] Woodside was historically largely agricultural land, but its heavy soil made farming difficult; local farmer William Marshall published details of his efforts in this regard in the 1780s.

[2] Handley's brickworks' chimneys dominated the area, their hooter being heard all over the locality at lunchtime to signify the start and finish of the rest period.

[citation needed] Handley's was later sold to Hall & Co, who were subsequently taken over by Ready Mixed Concrete, before the brick factories closed altogether in 1974.

[citation needed] After the factories closed the site was turned into Brickfields Meadow, a park containing woods and a lake.

Croydon Racecourse opened in 1866 on nearby Stroud Green Farm abutting Monks Orchard (now the site of Ashburton Community School and Ashburton Playing Fields), prompting the opening of a railway station in 1871, though the racecourse closed in 1890.

[8] The green is located near to Woodside tram stop in the London Borough of Croydon and is over 4.75 acres (1.92 ha).

[14] The station stood where the tram stop now is, and part of the old disused track-bed was turned into Addiscombe Railway Park.