Many people looking to commute into the city find themselves living in Croydon. This is because the bustling town offers everything you could need, within easy commuting distance from central London.
Croydon offers everything from amazing shopping to classic pubs and trendy bars. It also has plenty of parks and green spaces to enjoy, giving you a welcome break from daily life.
To help you decide whether living in Croydon is right for you, we’ve put together this area guide. Find your new favourite coffee spot and learn all about this historic residential town in South London.
Bethlem Museum of the Mind
The Bethlem Museum of the Mind is an impactful member of the Croydon community. Created as a way to supports and celebrates the achievements of those with mental health problems. It is filled with amazing artwork and holds regular exhibitions and events you can take part in.
Bethlem Royal Hospital was one of the very first institutions built to care for the mentally ill in the UK. It dates back as far as 1247 and the gallery was opened in 2015 to remember those that have dealt with mental illness over the centuries. It’s a fascinating look at the inner workings of humans and a must-visit when living in Croydon.
Find the museum here
Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Rd, Beckenham BR3 3BX
www.museumofthemind.org.uk
Phone: 020 3228 4227
Follow: @bethlem_museum
Selhurst Park Stadium
Fans of Crystal Palace Football club will love living in Croydon and so close to their home ground, Selhurst Park Stadium.
The host of many premier league games, it’s also a great place to host an event, a wedding or even the office Christmas party. There’s plenty of pubs and bars around the stadium, so you’ll have no trouble finding somewhere for a pre or post match drink.
Find the stadium here
Holmesdale Rd, London SE25 6PU
www.selhurst-park.co.uk
Phone: 020 8768 6000
The Oval Tavern
The Oval Tavern provides a cosy and friendly local for anyone in need of some pub grub or a quick pint.
With a leafy and colourful beer garden tucked away in the back, you’ll have somewhere to enjoy the London summer sunshine. They also host regular live music and entertainment to enjoy throughout the week.
Grab a full English for those days when a hearty breakfast is needed or get your Sunday Roast fill. You can also sample some of the local beers and ales which are on tap at the bar.
You can find The Oval Tavern here
131 Oval Rd, Croydon CR0 6BG
www.theovaltavern.co.uk
Phone: 020 8686 6023
Centrale Shopping Centre
When living in Croydon you will always have somewhere to get some retail therapy. Centrale Shopping Centre is set in the very heart of the town and boasts some of the UK’s best retailers. From Zara to Primark, you can easily spend an entire day shopping, getting a coffee with friends or picking up a few essentials.
As well as shopping you can dine out. Try out the amazing Sushi at Tashi Sushi or get some of the famous Krispy Kreme doughnuts. On Saturday’s the centre is open until 7pm so it’s a great palace for a casual date night.
Parking is available from 7am to 10pm every day and there’s plenty of spaces. You can also jump on one of the many buses that pass by or opt for the tram.
Find the Centrale Shopping Centre here
21 N End, Croydon CR0 1TY
www.centraleandwhitgift.co.uk
Follow on Instagram: @centralewhitgift
Krunk Burgers
Not only is there one Krunk Burger in Croydon, but there’s two. You can find this burger restaurant on Whitehorse Road and on Brighton Road in South Croydon.
Open for dining in, takeaway or delivery you’ll always be able to get your burger fix. Try out their self-titled Krunk Burger which includes 2x patties, 2x slices of cheese all topped with their special sauce and salad.
There’s always limited edition sides and meals to try, so keep going back to try out brand new combinations every visit.
Find Krunk Burgers here
79 Whitehorse Rd, Croydon CR0 2JJ & 256 Brighton Rd, South Croydon CR2 6AH
www.krunkburgers.com
Phone: 020 8665 9324 (Whitehorse Road) & 020 8604 1320 (South Croydon)
Croham Hurst Woods
Croham Hurst Woods is a large woodland space situated in South Croydon. Its a great place to head off on a woodland walk or enjoy a stroll with the dog.
If you’re a golfer, the Croham Hurst Golf Club is attached to the woodland, so you can have a few rounds before enjoying a woodland wander.
There are only a few small car parks available nearby so it’s best to visit via public transport, on foot or you can look for space on the many residential streets that surround the area.
Find Croham Hurst Woods here
Upper Selsdon Rd, South Croydon CR2 7BL
www.croydon.gov.uk
Phone: 020 8726 6900
Ceylins Restaurant
A fun, lively and friendly restaurant in North Croydon. Ceylins is a bar & grill offering everything from 2-for-1 cocktails to sizzling steaks. It’s a Turkish restaurant in the heart of a bustling residential area, giving it a homey and welcoming community feel.
Take a look at their specialist dessert menu which includes traditional Baklava , Tiramisu or Turkish Tea. There’s also a takeout menu, fo those days you want delicious Turkish dishes from the comfort of your own sofa.
Find Ceylins Restaurant here
158-160 Chestnut Grove, Mitcham CR4 1RB
Phone: 020 8679 5012
Follow: Facebook Page
Fairfield Halls
Fairfield Halls is the go-to place for entertainment when living in Croydon. Whether you’re looking for a spectacular show or you want to get involved with the local choir, this theatre always has something to offer.
The theatre is especially great for families as it regularly has screenings of popular children’s films and shows. For the adults, grab a ticket for your favourite comedian’s stand up show or exclusive theatre productions.
Fairfield Halls is just a stone’s throw from High Street, so you can grab some dinner or drinks at one of the many restaurants before your show.
Find Fairfield Halls here
Park Ln, Croydon CR9 1DG
www.fairfield.co.uk
Phone: 020 3292 0002
Follow: @croydonfairfield
Museum of Croydon
If you’re new to Croydon then take a trip to the Museum of Croydon to learn about the area’s history. The museum is designed to champion the multi-cultural identity of the area. This means there’s exhibitions and events that celebrate a wide variety of cultures from around the world.
If you’re interested in local history then this is the ideal day out. You can even access the borough archive if you want to trace some family history or research a historical event.
It’s not just local history that the Museum of Croydon showcases. There are always ever changing collections of paintings, sculptures and artifacts from around the world on show.
Find Museum of Croydon here
1918 Katharine St, Croydon CR0 1NX
www.museumofcroydon.com
Phone: 020 8253 1022
Follow: @museumofcroydon
Lloyd Park
Teamed with an on-site car park and café, Lloyd Park is one of the area’s best-loved parks. When living in Croydon you’ll be sure to want to visit. Whether its for a picnic or a quick walk around the open green space.
There’s plenty to do here, including disc golf, an outdoor gym and a Tennis club. It even has its own tram stop, so it’s extremely easy to get to, whether by road or rail.
The Lloyd Park Lounge Café is open every day from 9am-4:30pm so pop in for breakfast or catchup with friends over lunch. They are of course dog-friendly being part of the park so you can grab a cuppa with your furry friends any time of day.
Find Lloyd Park here
84 Coombe Rd, Croydon CR0 5RA
www.croydon.co.uk
Croydon Transport Links
One of the reasons that living in Croydon is so popular with commuters is because of its amazing transport links. It may not have a tube station, but it makes up for it with a myriad of buses, trains, trams and overground services.
If you work in central London, you’ll be able to easily get a train from East Croydon to London Bridge in just 15 minutes. Or, get on one of the many tram services and make your way to tube stations such as Wimbledon to use the underground.
Train times from Croydon to Central London:
East Croydon to London Bridge - 15 minutes
East Croydon to London Victoria - 18 minutes
West Croydon to London Bridge - 18 minutes
South Croydon to London Bridge - 22 minutes
Living in Croydon
Croydon boasts one of the most affordable property markets in London, so it’s a great place to access the city without the major price tag. Its ideal for those with families that want to live close to major attractions but keep costs low.
If you’re looking for more recommendations for living in Croydon, check out our blogs on the best rooftop bars in South London or get on your bike and ride with these best cycle routes in South London.
