River Effra - The Route of The Effra

The Route of The Effra

Directionally the Effra travelled NNW, briefly NNE, NNW then a short stretch from Kennington WNW.

One branch of the Effra rises near Harold Road in Upper Norwood Recreation Ground, Upper Norwood, and flows through West Norwood (which is the north and northwest of Norwood). Where Norwood High Street merges at the fountain with the A215 to form Norwood Road it is joined by a small tributary from Knights Hill Ward where it flows NNE. A second branch rises south of Gypsy Hill into West Dulwich via Croxted Road, after flowing from near The Westow House, Westow Hill down the middle section of Jasper Road following the railway tunnel which ends then becomes the sewer under the road Gipsy Hill. After the Paxton Pub opposite the end of Gipsy Hill it captures water from Hamilton Road, forms the back garden line of Croxted road and joins the other branch at the South Circular where it now forms the sewers of Croxted Road, Dulwich Road, Dalberg Road, Effra Road, Electric Lane, Brixton Road, Harleyford street/road separated by the Kennington Oval. The name cannot be traced back much earlier than 1840,

Additional tributaries: One channel forms in Belair Park, going under Burbage Road and Half Moon Lane, Dulwich and North Dulwich to join at Dulwich Road. A further stream ran from Tulse Hill instead west past Knights Hill down Leigham Vale to join at Dulwich Road.

John Rocque's map of 1745 called these confluences around Herne Hill railway station station 'Island Green', reflecting routes then of the Effra.

Local folklore tells of a coffin found floating down the Thames in Victorian times which was traced back to West Norwood Cemetery. Mysteriously, the grave the coffin came from was apparently undisturbed. Further investigation revealed that the ground beneath the grave had subsided and the entire coffin fell into the underground Effra river and floated downstream.

Mainly underground, what remains of the river Effra is somewhat less than what used to contribute to its source, being replaced by an extensive surface water separate drainage system — due to its convenient contours however to the early development of its adjoining neighbourhoods it is a sewer in same way as the Walbrook which rises and flows in the City of London and certain other former London rivers and streams.