What’s in a name? Melon Road, Peckham
Everyone Active - Peckham Pulse Healthy Living Centre (aka Peckham Pulse Leisure Center) is situated on Melon Road - and Melon Road refers to Peckham's impressive agricultural past! . From southwarkheritage.wordpress.com: "In the 16th century (Peckham Town) became home to some quite wealthy people. Sir Thomas Gardyner owned Basing Manor, close to the corner of Peckham High Street and Rye Lane, and wrote of the extensive orchards and gardens nearby which he owned or had access to.
With the lack of refrigeration, food had to be grown close to its final market and Peckham was ideally situated to exploit the large London market on its doorstep. Exotic fruits such as melons, figs and grapes were all grown here, some ending up on the royal table. The success of the Peckham farmers is still remembered today in the naming of ‘Melon Road’ just off Peckham High Street.”
https://southwarkheritage.wordpress.com/2016/10/31/historic-peckham/
