Carshalton Road, also known as Cheam Road, played a significant role as a major road in Sutton, connecting a series of ancient towns between Croydon and Guildford. Due to its importance, it was designated as a turnpike road. At the crossroads where Carshalton Road met ’Cock Hill’ (now the High Street), stood the Cock Hotel. This establishment, situated on the corner, was one of only two coaching inns in Sutton, the other being the Greyhound further down the High Street. These inns served as resting places for horses, offered refreshments to passengers, and provided a location for changing horses during their journeys.
The original Cock Hotel and Cock ’Tap’ were constructed shortly after 1755 and remained in that location until 1896. At that time, the old Cock Tap beer house was demolished, making way for the construction of the “new” Cock Hotel. During a transitional period, both the old and new hotels coexisted on the site before the old hotel was eventually torn down. Both the old Tap and the new hotel were set back from the road, creating a forecourt at the junction. This architectural feature remains to this day, providing a public space that maintains the historical connection with the road layout and the former significant uses of the area.
