Croydon offers an array of retail outlets, local boutiques, farmers markets and the Surrey street market, established in 1276, is definitely worth a visit. For those looking for some high-street retail therapy Croydon’s shopping facilities are the best outside of London’s West End. The Whitgift Centre, Central Shopping Centre and Valley Retail Park are all easily accessible, large shopping centres.
With its proximity to London, Croydon has its share of nightlife with a large selection of bars and pubs. It offers a wide selection of street food, fine dining and live events with a diverse selection of eateries, all family friendly and providing an evening’s entertainment.
Located close to an abundance of green belt land, there is no shortage of parks and open spaces in Croydon. Due to all of this open space, Croydon has 10 golf courses. In the June of every year Croydon holds its own carnival week which offers a fun day out for all. There are also plenty of cultural places worth visiting in Croydon such as the Museum of Croydon, Croydon Clocktower, Queen’s Gardens and Shirley Windmill, a Grade II listed tower. The Fairfield Hall Arts Centre, currently undergoing a £30,000,000 redevelopment, is set to open in Summer 2018 and will bring a thriving arts and entertainment industry to Croydon.
State Primary and Junior Schools in Croydon include Good Shepherd Catholic Primary and Nursery School, St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School, Howard Primary School and Park Hill Junior School.
State Secondary Schools in Croydon include Edenham High School and Sixth Form College, Riddlesdown Collegiate, St Mary’s Catholic High School and Archbishop Tenison’s Church of England School.
Private Schools in Croydon include Croydon High School, Royal Russell School, and Trinity School of John Whitgift.
There are 3 major railway stations in Croydon: West Croydon, South Croydon and East Croydon. Both East and West Croydon are located in Travelcard Zone 5. From East Croydon it takes 16 minutes to reach London Victoria, 13 minutes to reach London Bridge and 30 minutes to get to the Thameslink at Kings Cross. By train it takes 15 minutes to reach Gatwick airport and Brighton and the South Coast in 50 minutes. From the Overground Station in West Croydon has great links to Shoreditch, the City and Dalston Junction.
Since 2000, Croydon has operated an efficient Tramlink service connecting central Croydon with places such as Elmers End, Wimbledon, New Addington, Mitcham Junction and Beckenham Junction.
Croydon also has a busy bus network with a 24 hour service to London Victoria. Croydon has excellent road links to Central London as well as to the South coast of England and there is the A23 Purley Way which will take you to the West.
