- published: 24 Sep 2015
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Coordinates: 51°18′32″N 0°05′00″W / 51.308860°N 0.083390°W / 51.308860; -0.083390
Whyteleafe is a small town (pop 2200) in South East England, in the Surrey district of Tandridge. Four streets in Whyteleafe are just inside the southern edge of the London Borough of Croydon. Neighbouring villages and towns include Woldingham, Caterham, Coulsdon, Warlingham, and Kenley (in London Borough of Croydon). To the west are Kenley airfield, Kenley Common (City of London owned) Coxes Wood and Blize Wood. To the east are Riddlesdown, the Dobbin, and Marden Park. The parish church of St Luke dating from the mid-19th century lies within the Diocese of Southwark. The vicar is Gill Reeves, and a typical congregation on Sunday numbers around 30, as well as a choir of a half-dozen or so, churchwardens and sidesmen. The churchyard contains graves of airmen who died during WW2, stationed at RAF Kenley nearby.
Whyteleafe is served by Whyteleafe South, Whyteleafe and Upper Warlingham railway stations. The Godstone road A22 cuts through N-S. Buses 407 and 434 serve the area and run from Coulsdon, Croydon, Sutton, and Caterham. Whyteleafe village grew after the railway came on its way to Caterham in 1856. A second line followed a higher contour and opened in 1884. The village name comes from White Leaf field, which was donated by a benefactor for the building of the church. Among traders there is a pub, a newsagent, general store, two petrol stations and an M&S food outlet, a Post Office, hairdresser, chemist, ladies outfitter, baker, fish shop, barber, computer store.