Croydon is a large town located in South London, England, that is known for its night-time economy, shopping district, great places to eat, and its artsy locations. What started as a village with a population of only 48, has grown into a town with a population of 192,064 as of the present. There are a whole lot of things to do in Croydon.
While Croydon may miss your immediate list of places to visit while in London, it has plenty of attractions and activities to take part in. Whether you take a stroll around Addington hills or go visit the Museum of Croydon, Croydon surely will grab your attention and keep you busy.
Top Things to Do in Croydon
There are many things to do in Croydon, we have listed some of them here for you
The Ludoqist
If you’re someone who’s into Board Games, The Ludoqist cafe would surely be a place you want to visit. Located on High Street, the game cafe boasts over 750 board games available for people to play.
Enjoy a delicious freshly brewed coffee or have some snacks while battling out against your opponents in Imperial Assault or play a game of Chess. If you’re into more conventional board games like Monopoly or Cluedo you can play them too, they do have hundreds of more games available!
The BRIT School
You might wonder why would a school be included in a list to visit places in a town, but the BRIT school is no ordinary school. Found in 1991, the BRIT School is a well-known performing arts and technology institute and has a strict intake.
You’d surely be interested in visiting the school knowing some of the alumni of the institute include: Adele, Amy Winehouse, Jessi J, and not to mention our new Spiderman, Tom Holland.
Wandle Park
If you’re up for an evening stroll or just want to stretch for a little bit, why not visit Wandle Park?
The River of Wandle flows through this 8.5 hectare park full of greeneries and more activities to do. The park includes a rose garden, a community garden, a skate park, children’s playground among other things. Regardless of your age, Wandle park has something to offer.
During Summer, Wandle Park has more events and activities happening that include: Live music, cinema, theatre as well as extreme sport events. If you’re into more relaxing activities, you’ll also find heritage walks, storytelling or gardening days during summertime too.
Wandle Park is located at Waddon, the main entrance off Cornwall Road. The Cafe is open every day from 9.30 to 16.00, except for Christmas day.
Surrey Street Market
You can go for some grocery shopping in London’s oldest street market. Surrey Street Market (also known as Croydon Market) was established in the early 13th century and has been operating since.
The market operates 6 days a week, from Monday to Saturday from 6 am to 6 pm. On Sunday the market is open from 10.30 am to 5 pm and has some weekly events like interactive street theater, an entrepreneurs market, outdoor musical entertainment as well as Christmas-themed events in December. This is one of the most popular Christmas things to do in Croydon.
Selhurst Park
Selhurtst Park is home to Crystal Palace F.C since 1924 and also hosts premier league football games. It is located at the center of Selhurst and should take a 10/15 minute walk from Selhurst, Thorton Heath and Norwood Junction stations.
You can store your bicycle during games for free upon request at the Information Center, which will be open 3 hours before the kick-off of games.
Fun Things to do in Croydon
Enjoy a stroll through Coombe Wood, a lovely wood with picture-perfect gardens and well-kept grass. then take use of the Coach House Café’s beautiful patio for coffee and cake.
Enjoy an abundance of street cuisine at Boxpark Croydon
Boxpark Croydon, the pop-up mall’s southern London counterpart to Shoreditch, is a foodie’s heaven. Enjoy delicious meals from more than 40 different restaurants, including Bao Bao’s traditional Tawainese street food and Kothu Kothu’s Sri Lankan specialties. Dum Dums Donuterrie, which offers flavored doughnuts with flavors like pistachio and toffee apple, is a great place to end your visit to Boxpark.
Take a trampoline jump at Oxygen Freejumping
This trampoline park, which has hundreds of trampolines to bounce around on, is a must for people who like to stay active and for families looking for kid-friendly activities in Croydon. It also features a huge airbag where you can practice your skills, a play area for kids under five, Olympic-standard performance trampolines, speed reaction games, and other features. The trampoline park offers one-hour sessions that visitors may reserve.
Play a game of checkers at The Ludoquist.
The Ludoquist is the ideal café for whiling away a rainy day, and it has a vast range of both your favorite and lesser-known board games. Play while enjoying a freshly baked pizza or a wonderful cup of coffee brewed with beans from south London-based, small-batch roaster Volcano Coffee.
Investigate the Croydon Airport Visitor Center
This free-to-enter micro-museum is open on the first Sunday of every month and is perfect if you like offbeat museums. From the beginning of commercial aviation until its closure in 1959, Croydon Airport was home to the first international terminal in the world. The tourist center is built in the oldest air traffic control tower in the world and offers interactive elements, pictures documenting the airport’s history, a café, and a gift store.
Wander around Wandle Park
Wander around this lovely park, which has 21 acres (8.5 hectares) and has the Wandle River flowing through it. A bandstand, a playground, an ornamental garden, and a skate park are all included in the park, in addition to the ideal tranquil picnic area by the pond.
Visit the David Lean Theater to see a film
Things to do in Croydon today, include, This small, volunteer-run movie theater, which is part of the Croydon Clocktower arts complex, which presents the finest in international and British filmmaking. To honor Croydon-born filmmaker David Lean, who created epics including The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and Doctor Zhivago, it was constructed in the 1990s (1965).
The oldest street market in London
Surrey Street Market, which dates back to 1236, offers a mixture of the Caribbean and Asian vendors providing fresh, global fruit and vegetables, often for one pound each bowl. There are also spices and herbs available. For artisanal cuisine, crafts, and entertainment, go on a Sunday.
Coffee and art are available at Art Rebellion
At the Coulsdon contemporary art museum, where up-and-coming artists are shown, you may combine your love of art with coffee. This New York-style art café offers a variety of hot foods, such as stews and soups, along with coffee, tea, smoothies, milkshakes, cakes, waffles, and gelato. You may also see or purchase artwork there while lounging.
Observe a football game at Selhurst Park stadium.
Since 1924, Crystal Palace Football Club has called this stadium home. Here you may watch a game or purchase Crystal Palace FC memorabilia.
Attractions in Croydon
Take a walk in the Croham Hurst woodlands
Hike among the oak, beech, and birch trees that are scattered across the 35 hectares (86 acres) of old forest and heathland. For stunning views of the surrounding landscape, ascend the hill to its summit.
Overhead Croydon
All you lovers of the high! Soaring over Croydon in a glider with Surrey Hills Gliding Club will get your blood flowing. You have the option to take the controls and fly the glider on your own with either a four-flight trial lesson or a five-minute single flight instruction.
Check out Shirley Windmill
Discover one of the Greater London area’s four publically accessible huge windmills. Shirley Windmill, which was built in 1854, is accessible to the general public throughout the summer. Enjoy a 60-minute guided tour during which you will learn about the history of Victorian flour milling.
Watch a performance at Matthews Yard
Find a fantastic schedule of activities at the creative center Matthews Yard, which includes an art gallery, a live music venue, a crowdfunded theater, and Vegan Grill, which provides comfort cuisine without the guilt. Indulge in some pastries and regional beverages as well.
Take advantage of some retail therapy
Roll, roll, roll! Browse the racks of Croydon’s amazing retailers to update your wardrobe. You’ll discover small boutiques in the Old Town and high street brands at the town’s two main shopping malls, Centrale & Whitgift. Top brands include Marks & Spencer, New Look, and House of Fraser.
Attend a performance at a bar theater
Visit the Spread Eagle Pub, a Grade II-listed structure that has a cozy playhouse where the greatest in theater, comedy, and cinema are presented. The bar was previously the Union Bank of London’s Croydon branch, which was built in 1893 and served as a banking institution for almost a century. If you’re hungry, place an order for one of the pub’s renowned handmade pies, which are cooked each day from scratch by hand.
The Oval Tavern hosts live music events
Spend the evening at this charming bar where live music performances range from folk to jazz to ska to rock. Additionally, it’s a terrific place to go for a Sunday roast, which you can eat while listening to live jazz. There are lots of things to do after lunch, including board games, novels, and newspapers.
Visit the Croydon Museum
For Fun things to do in Croydon, at the acclaimed Museum of Croydon, you can trace Croydon’s history via the tales of its early inhabitants. Explore free exhibitions at the museum, including an interactive family trail and a collection of Chinese pottery going back to 2,500 BC, by entering the building’s unique clock tower. A gallery with rotating exhibitions of pieces from the borough’s art collection is also housed in the museum.
Enjoy the artwork at Turf Gallery
Turf, an artist-run contemporary art space, presents a dynamic schedule of free exhibits and activities in Croydon Arts Store in the Whitgift retail center, including family art fun days and artist-led workshops.
Relax at Byte Cafe
Byte Cafe is a favorite hangout for meat eaters, vegans, and vegetarians alike. It is a contemporary, laid-back place where you can work or hang out with friends. Enjoy delectable food that is grown nearby while you utilize the free internet, spin some vinyl, or maybe play a game of Jenga.
Conclusion
Croydon, located ten miles south of Central London, was formerly part of the Canterbury Archbishops’ estates, which housed the main figures in the Church of England. Historical relics from their stay in this area include Croydon Palace and the Whitgift Almshouse.
With the help of Colleges in Croydon and the Brit School, where artists like Adele and Jessie J learnt their trade, the town has recently left its stamp on UK popular culture.
There is an energetic nightlife, a hip food scene, and a retail center that, until 2008, was the biggest in Greater London. From South Croydon Station, you may travel to London Bridge in less than 15 minutes. In 2000, the community also unveiled Tramlink, the capital’s first tram line since 1952. Remember to check Croydon weather.
