112 The London Bus
the central area on the one-way
system, pausing at the post
office, but a striking landmark on
the return journey is the gothic-
style Trinity Church. Although
completed only in 1907, it looks
much older and is Grade II listed.
Among distinctive features is its
square tower with its tall fluted
columns and its unusual ‘crown
and lantern’ spire.
We head on west as far as
Cheam. The crossroads at
the centre of this village is
characterised by distinctive inter-
war buildings, some finished in
mock-Tudor style. Although the
look is not to everyone’s taste,
here it has an unexpected charm.
Not far away, a noted tourist
attraction is Nonsuch Park, part
of a hunting ground used by
Henry VIII.
Now we turn north, finally
leaving the A232, and continue
to North Cheam – a land of
terraced houses that perhaps
lacks the charm of Cheam
itself. After further stretches of
housing, we arrive at Worcester
Park – yet another substantial
south London township.
Approaching the town centre, we
pass an unusual performer onthe X26 – a Volvo B5LH hybrid
with Wright Gemini 3 bodywork.
Worcester Park has a half-mile
long main street, Central Road,which winds gently down to the
station. Although you won’t see
it from the bus, an intriguing
development here is the Hamptons,London by Bus
ABOVE LEFT:
Carshalton Ponds,
where the X26
meets a Wright-
bodied Volvo of
Go-Ahead on
route 127 from
Totting Broadway
to Purley.
ABOVE RIGHT:
Sutton High
Street, once
served by two-way
buses and now
pedestrianised.
BELOW RIGHT:
Old pub and
direction signs
at the former
crossroads in the
centre of Sutton.