Things to Do in Croydon, South London
Croydon is South London’s largest town, sitting around ten miles from the City and well connected by rail, tram, and road. It gets a mixed press, but residents tend to be quietly enthusiastic about it — good transport, a proper town centre, surprisingly good green spaces, and a cultural scene that punches above its weight. If you’re considering a move here, here’s what the area actually has to offer.
Getting Around
East Croydon and West Croydon stations between them serve London Victoria, London Bridge, Gatwick Airport, Brighton, and beyond. East Croydon in particular is one of the busiest stations outside Zone 1 — trains run frequently through the day and into the evening. The Tramlink network connects Croydon to Wimbledon, Beckenham, and New Addington, and is a genuinely useful alternative to driving across the borough. The X26 bus runs direct to Heathrow Airport. The A23 and M25 (via the A232) are the main road corridors for drivers.
Shopping
Croydon has the largest shopping district in South London. The Whitgift Centre and Centrale are the two main covered centres, covering most high street names plus a wide range of restaurants. A major redevelopment (Westfield Croydon) has been in progress for years, so the town centre will look quite different again in the next few years.
Parks and Green Spaces
Lloyd Park is Croydon’s largest park at around 60 acres — a lake, children’s playground, and an 18-hole golf course. South Norwood Country Park offers a quieter, more natural setting with a picturesque lake and plenty of open space. Wandle Park, at the edge of the town centre, has a paddling pool and skate park and is popular with younger families. The River Wandle runs through the area and is being progressively restored.
History and Culture
Croydon’s history goes back further than its town centre suggests. The Croydon Airport Visitor Centre tells the story of what was once one of the world’s busiest commercial airports — a genuinely interesting piece of aviation history. The Museum of Croydon sits within the Clocktower building alongside a library, cinema, and arts spaces. The Fairfield Halls, recently refurbished, hosts concerts, theatre, comedy, and opera. The David Lean Cinema within the Clocktower is a good independent alternative to multiplex chains.
Food, Drink and Nightlife
Boxpark Croydon is the town’s most distinctive venue — a converted shipping container complex with street food stalls, bars, and a regular events programme. The Spread Eagle is a historic pub dating back to the 16th century with live music most weekends. Croydon has a well-developed bar and restaurant scene, particularly around the Surrey Street and South End areas.
Markets and Independent Culture
Surrey Street Market runs six days a week and is one of the oldest street markets in London — it has been trading for over 700 years. It is a proper working market with fresh produce, clothing, and street food, not a weekend artisan pop-up. Matthews Yard is a community arts and social space just off the high street that hosts gigs, theatre, comedy nights, and community events. Croydon also has a well-documented street art scene, with large-scale murals visible across the town centre — the area around Surrey Street and the underpass network has been used as an outdoor canvas by artists including Ben Eine.
Sport and Leisure
Crystal Palace FC’s home ground, Selhurst Park, sits on the Croydon/Bromley/Lambeth border and is within easy reach of most Croydon addresses. The David Lean Cinema at the Clocktower shows independent and arthouse films alongside mainstream releases. Fairfield Halls — a major regional concert hall — reopened after an extensive refurbishment and now hosts everything from orchestral performances to comedy and touring bands. Croydon Sports Arena offers athletics facilities, and the borough has a network of leisure centres for swimming and gym use.
Moving to Croydon with F Smith & Son
F Smith & Son is based in Croydon — this is our home territory. We’ve been carrying out house removals in Croydon and across South London for over 90 years, which means we know the roads, the parking restrictions, and the quirks of the local streets better than most.
Whether you’re moving into a period terrace off the A23, a flat near East Croydon station, or a family house in one of the quieter residential roads, we can handle the full move. We also offer professional packing and secure containerised storage for moves where the timing doesn’t quite line up.
We’re members of the British Association of Removers (BAR) and Which? Trusted Traders. For a free quote, visit our Croydon removals page.
For more moving advice and local area guides, visit the F Smith & Son Advice Hub.