This week, everyone will have a rare chance to watch the solar eclipse, so we've gathered the best places for you to watch the spectacular event in Sutton.
The eclipse will see around 91 per cent of the sun covered at its peak, creating a dramatic crescent in the evening sky.
It will begin at around 6.17pm on Wednesday (August 12), reaching maximum coverage at approximately 7.12pm to 7.13pm before ending at around 8.06pm.
We've compiled a list of five Sutton spots where you can settle down and watch the eclipse, with open spaces offering some of the clearest views of the evening sky.
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Roundshaw Downs and Roundshaw Park
Roundshaw Downs and Roundshaw Park in Wallington is one of Sutton's largest open spaces and could provide plenty of room for people hoping to catch the eclipse.
The Downs cover almost 37 hectares of chalk grassland, while the adjoining park provides further open areas away from the built-up streets around it.
The site occupies part of the former Croydon Airport area, giving parts of the Downs an unusually open character for south London.
That makes it particularly useful for eclipse watchers, as the low position of the sun means a clear western horizon will be more important than usual.
Visitors should look for an open position away from trees and buildings, particularly if they want to watch the eclipse from its beginning at around 6.17pm through to the maximum at around 7.12pm.
Roundshaw Park also has a pavilion, playground, and sports facilities, making it a practical option for anyone planning to arrive early and stay for the evening.
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Nonsuch Park
Nonsuch Park on the Cheam and Ewell border is another huge open space where visitors can escape the built-up surroundings and find a clear patch of sky.
The park stretches across a mixture of open grassland, woodland, and historic parkland, with large fields providing long views across the surrounding countryside.
For Wednesday's eclipse, the open sections of the park are likely to be the most useful.
With the sun setting towards the west and west-north-west, finding a position away from dense trees and buildings will give watchers a better chance of following the eclipse as the evening progresses.
Nonsuch Park is also one of Sutton's most historic green spaces.
Henry VIII began building Nonsuch Palace on the site in 1538, intending to create a royal residence that would rival the grandest buildings in Europe.
Although the palace was demolished centuries ago, visitors can still explore the remains of its footprint within the park.
The park also has Nonsuch Mansion and the Nonsuch Pantry Café, although anyone staying for the full eclipse should check access arrangements before setting off.
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Oaks Park
Oaks Park in Carshalton is another sizeable green space offering a mixture of open grassland and countryside-style scenery.
The park covers around 33 hectares and includes chalk meadows, woodland, formal gardens, and large areas of open parkland.
For anyone watching the eclipse, the open meadow sections are likely to be the best places to head for.
The woodland areas may provide plenty of shade on an ordinary summer day, but on Wednesday evening they could obstruct the low western view of the sun.
Oaks Park also has a long connection with horse racing.
The area gave its name to the Oaks Stakes, one of Britain's oldest classic horse races, which was established in the 18th century by the Earl of Derby.
There are also facilities including a café and toilets, making the park a convenient option for anyone planning to arrive well before the eclipse begins.
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Beddington Park
Beddington Park provides another large stretch of open space for anyone wanting to watch the eclipse in the north of the borough.
The 58-hectare park stretches along the River Wandle and contains open fields, lakes, wooded areas, and walking paths.
It is one of Sutton's most historic parks and was once part of a medieval deer park belonging to the Carew family.
The River Wandle runs through the park, with its quieter stretches attracting a variety of wildlife.
For eclipse watchers, however, the main attraction will be the open areas around the park.
The low evening sun means visitors should choose their position carefully, avoiding areas where trees or buildings block the western horizon.
Beddington Park could also provide an alternative for anyone who finds Roundshaw Downs particularly busy on Wednesday evening.
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Sutton Common Park
For those wanting to stay closer to the centre of Sutton, Sutton Common Park offers another option for watching the eclipse without having to travel across the borough.
The park is one of Sutton's Green Flag parks and provides a mixture of open grassland, trees, and recreational areas.
It is smaller and more enclosed than some of the other locations on this list, meaning choosing the right position will be particularly important.
Anyone heading there should try to find the most open section available, with a clear view towards the western horizon.
Unlike a typical daytime eclipse, this one will take place with the sun sitting relatively low on the western horizon.
That means finding the right spot will be particularly important, as trees, buildings, and other obstructions could easily get in the way.
Wherever you decide to watch it, there is one thing you should not forget: regular sunglasses are not safe for watching a solar eclipse.
Anyone looking directly at the sun should use proper eclipse glasses meeting the relevant safety standard, as even a partially eclipsed sun can cause serious and permanent eye damage.
Those without eclipse glasses can instead use a simple pinhole projector to safely project the shape of the sun onto a surface.
Even small gaps between leaves can naturally create tiny projections of the eclipsed sun, meaning you don't necessarily need specialist equipment to see the effect.
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