One of the largest commercial districts outside Central London, Croydon is renowned for its shopping districts and its wild nightlife. It has now become a hub for younger travellers that want a vibrant and lively time when they come to London. Box Park and other attractions are what make modern Croydon what it is. And for the business travellers, the bustling retail economy is what keeps the town going, and the easy connections to London mean the commute doesn’t have to be as long either.
Within Croydon, there are a variety of attractions to see. Fairfield Halls, for example, a large concert hall, has had many famous performers there and continues to do so to liven up evenings and weekends. Some of the big names to have performed there in the past include The Beatles, Bucks Fizz, Omid Djalili, JLS, Chuck Berry, Don McLean, Johnny Cash, Gladys Knight, Morecambe and Wise, Tom Jones, Status Quo, A-HA, James Last, and Coolio. Other highlights involve the Croydon Clocktower which houses a small cinema and the Museum of Croydon. Then, of course, there are restaurants that offer a host of cuisines that can satisfy all guests that love great food.
As one of the main spots for young professionals starting out, or corporate travellers that want to wear their hair down, the area has so much to offer to keep its locals and visitors entertained.
History of Croydon
Like any part of London, Croydon has a history to tell. And similar to most places in England, it is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Although the description doesn’t really match the modern look now; around 365 inhabitants, with a church and a mill. Plus, back then it would have been part of Wallington in the county of Surrey, long before its days of being connected to London.
In the Middle Ages, Croydon expanded as a market town and became a reputable centre for charcoal production, leather tanning and brewing. Over time things got bigger. So much so that the Surrey Iron Railway from Croydon to Wandsworth opened in 1803, becoming the world's first public railway.
By the 19th century, the railway had facilitated Croydon's growth as a commuter town for Londoners and making it an attractive spot to do business. Once the 20th century came around, Croydon developed into an important industrial area, known for car manufacture, metalworking and the now-closed Croydon Airport. As the middle of the century turned the corner, most of these sectors were replaced by retailing and the service economy. While this may have been a big blow at the time, it brought about massive redevelopment in the area which saw the rise of office blocks and the Whitgift Centre, one of the largest shopping centres in Greater London until 2008.
And to get back to the beginning, Croydon was amalgamated into Greater London in 1965, thus no longer being classed as a part of Surrey. This distinction has been helped with TfL and Oyster Card fares, providing easier access for its residents to get into the capital.
Business Life in Croydon
As a commercial sector, the business life is as wholesome as any other part of London. But in Croydon, it has a vibrant edge that not many other business hot spots will have. This is thanks to nightlife available in the area. Overall, corporate visitors can expect to head to work, do all the network dinners and meetings, pack up for the day, head back to their serviced apartment to get changed, eat out with friends at one of the many restaurants and then pop out to one of the clubs. The raving scene and early morning closes means that a Friday or Saturday night could be a whole different ball game. For business though, this is great as workers can relax, chill, party and still have their business headquarters right there.
And this lively atmosphere hasn’t damaged Croydon either. In fact, over recent years, it has been awarded funds to develop and refurbish parts of the town in order to attract even more opportunities. Another interesting bit of info is that the Zotefoams company is headquartered in Croydon. Clearly they like the appeal that the town has.
But retail and services are one of its biggest champions. A few years ago its annual retail turnover from comparison goods was £353 million, the 5th highest in Greater London. This has led to other investors wanting to put more money in. And with 320,991 square metres of total town centre floor space, there are ample business opportunities to be made.
Our corporate apartments in Croydon also add their own flavour to the surroundings. Being fully furnished in every possible way to deliver the perfect stay, they are the ideal companion to short and long term bookings in Croydon. Our guests can work remote, relax like they would at home and be close to essential travel connections to go about their day in their own way.
Corporate Accommodation in Croydon
Apart from being a generic favourite, serviced apartments in Croydon particularly come with a fan base among business travellers. It boasts of being the fastest in London when it comes to tech companies, making it a top preference among tech company officials. Choose from eclectic options of serviced apartments in Croydon, each of which is at a walking distance from the respective tube station. The sleek interiors, Bluetooth docking station along with high-speed internet make working here extremely productive. Luxurious bathrooms, sunlit living rooms, and modern furnishings make this corporate accommodation in Croydon an ideal place to relax and unwind.
Holiday Accommodation in Croydon
Ranging from studio apartments to 3-bedroom sets, TheSqua.re has carefully chosen some of the finest Croydon serviced apartments to enhance your holiday experience in London. With proximity to the tube and West Croydon bus station, there are multiple convenient sub-localities to choose from. The rooms have been curated with generous sizes keeping familial comfort in mind which becomes a great feature when it comes to family vacations. The apartment ambience is clean, sophisticated and has ample amenities for entertainment. Each apartment comes well equipped with utmost comfort, sunlit areas, a kitchen, and a mini snack pack. An en-suite master bedroom, bright decor, and parking are some of the most impressive features.
Where to Stay in Croydon
Being a major retail centre and leisure hub, most sites in Croydon allow convenient food, exploration, and travel to other parts of the city. Choosing from serviced apartments in Croydon which are particularly placed near Bromley Town Centre or any Purley Way tube station will be a great location to stay in. If one is looking forward to regular up/down from Victoria or London Bridge, the latter must be preferred. The town centre can be easily reached through Tramlink. Boxpark is a great site for inexpensive street food. If this feels overwhelming to find, no need to worry as most of the TheSqua.re recommended apartments are already chosen with these parameters in mind.
Facts About Croydon
Croydon is one of the finest areas in the capital to explore. It has a lot of feathers to its cap and below are some of the most fascinating facts to know right before the excitement of living here seems to decrease:
- Croydon boasts of being the first neighbourhood to use postcodes outside of central London.
- With a capital of a whopping £77.2 billion, Croydon ranks the highest in property wealth in London.
- A tributary of Thames called the River Wandle forms the western boundary of the borough.
- Croydon boasts of inaugurating the first public railway in the world, called the Surrey Iron Railway. It was drawn by horses and ran between Croydon and Wandsworth.
- World-renowned detective fiction writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle called the Tennison Road of this historic town his home.
- Croydon Airport being the most significant one on Purley Way served as the main airport for London until Gatwick and Heathrow took over.
Cost of Living in Croydon
Croydon boasts of being one of the liveliest places to live and travel in London. That being said, it is also true that it falls in some of the most expensive areas property-wise about which you must have read in the facts. Keeping that in mind, even attempting to bag affordable serviced apartments in Croydon, enough to choose from can be quite pressurizing, and frankly scary too. The advantage with TheSqua.re is that we curate most of our serviced apartments in-house which makes the possibility of getting a few great options for a highly affordable range extremely high. Not just that, cutting down on the agency fees, deposits, and of course, the risk of choosing untrusted sources becomes possible with us as we can help you easily find the apartment and even fit the rent costs well within your budget.
One great tip would be to consider Brixton lanes and food stalls for some of the most eclectic, inexpensive, and hygienic range of cuisines for affordable meals on the go. If not, the fully-stocked kitchen back at your serviced apartment will always be available at your service.
Tips for Visiting Croydon
Even though the borough is pretty neatly laid and even transportation is easy to figure out, there are still a few insider tips that one must read before heading out to explore this wonderful part of London like a local. Find below some notable Tips for Visiting Croydon:
- While the borough is great with its top-class quality of living, there are still instances of its notorious incidents. Make sure to be careful of the narrow streets at night.
- Visit the Surrey Street Market on a Sunday for a collective experience of craft, food, and entertainment.
- Park all day at the Whitgift shopping centre for just 5 quids.
- Look for slippery area signs during wet weather as it rains almost all year long.
- Get an IKEA family card to make more savings. It is free of cost.
- Considering the unpredictability of weather, download the Met Office App to keep a track of weather forecasts.
- Don't go to the nearest beach you find on Google. Brighton, for example. has the thickest traffic. Explore more options as they are all reachable within 1 hour 30 minutes.
Things to Do in Croydon
Croydon is home to some of the most fun things to do in London. Whether it is a solo trip or the one with kids and family, this borough has something or the other to excite everyone alike. Even if the Croydon trip is slightly tight on the budget, it still has you sorted. Find some of the exciting activities right below:
Q1. What are the most popular things to do in Croydon?
When it comes to the popularity meter, here are some of the top picks that travellers of all ages can enjoy:
- Visit the Boxpark Croydon for an ultimate street food feast with over 40 vendors at a single place.
- Visit the Surrey Street Market for a mix of Asian and Caribbean delicacies and handicraft. It dates back to 1236.
- Enjoy an iconic football game in the Selhurst Stadium.
- Experience the vibrant flea market at the Brixton Village and make memories along.
Q2. What are some free things to do near Croydon?
Since Croydon is a feast for all budgets, here are some of the free delights to enjoy here:
- Go through the free exhibits at the landmark and award-winning Croydon Museum. It can be enjoyed with family as well.
- Croydon Arts Store and Turf Gallery offer several free exhibitions of popular local contemporary artists.
- Head to Croydon Minster for soothing carols, wonderful acoustic, and lovely architecture for Sunday Mass.
Q2. What are the most family-friendly things to do in Croydon?
- Oxygen free-jumping is the list topper for the most exciting activities here. Choose from 100s of trampolines in this Trampoline Park which is one of its kind.
- Enjoy flying an adrenaline-powered glider at the Surrey Hills Gliding Club.
- Wandle Park is the hub for all child-friendly activities from the sandpit to the river and a lot of rope activities.
Places to Visit in Croydon
Croydon is home to some of the most iconic London beauties and landmarks. From markets to woodlands, stadiums to museums, one can expect to be delighted no matter how diverse one’s preferences are. Below are some of the must-visit places in this historic borough:
- Selhurst Park Football Stadium - Home to the iconic Crystal Palace Football Club, watch a competitive match in this stadium and don't forget to take some merch back with you.
- Worthing Beach - A great option to feel near the sea is this wonderful and affordable beach day option, way less expensive than Brighton Pier.
- Shirley Windmill - Dating back to 1854 is this summer windmill which is one among the limited 4 windmills open to the public. A 1-hour guided tour is a must here.
- Museum of Croydon - This award-winning museum is home to exhibits and artefacts that go back to ancient times of 2,500 BC. The Chinese ceramics and art gallery are particularly noteworthy.
- Whitgift Shopping Centre - One of the largest shopping centres of London with 1,302,444 sq ft of retail area, Whitgift is a landmark of Croydon. It served as the largest one around Central London till 2008.
- Matthews Yard - A one-stop-shop for all experiences alike. From theatre to craft classes, food and drinks to live music and even an art gallery. The Vegan Grill is a must-try.
- Croham Hurst Woods - A lush green land spread in a majestic 86 acres, this ancient woodland brims with oak trees and a mesmerising country view from up the hill.
- Southend on Sea - It is one of the most hip beaches about 1 hour 20 minutes away. The nightlife and historical elements make it a complete package.
Places to Eat in Croydon
Another thing that makes it different is the fact that so many eating places come with a collective experience. Whether it is a mix of theatre and drink at the Spread Eagle or art gallery and milkshakes at Art Rebellion, each place is unique for its collective experience. Some of these exciting hubs here Include:
- Spread Eagle Pub
- The Oval Tavern
- Byte Cafe
- Art Rebellion
- Atesh Turkish Restaurant
- Ponte Nuovo
- The Dutchie
- The Breakfast Club
- Five Guys
- Turtle Bay
Street Food in Croydon
Being a melting pot of several ethnicities, from so many South Asian delicacies from different countries to its local best, Croydon presents a highly impressive and delicious food platter for all. Find some of our best finds below to help you make the most of the pop of flavours here:
- Bao Bao Taiwanese Street Food
- Sri Lankan K+K Street Food
- Greek on the Street
- Nando’s
- Saravana Bhavan
- Brixton Caribbean Food
- The Gnarbecue
- What the Pitta
- Thai Express
Shopping in Croydon
From craft items to flea markets, luxury perfumes to cute little souvenirs, high-end fashion to local food items, and even home-goods Shopping in Croydon is a whole new world of its own. Refer to these fine gems, picked after a lot of experience, to check out on the upcoming trip to Croydon:
- Whitgift Shopping Centre
- Centrale Shopping Centre
- Valley Park Retail Centre
- Brixton Village
- Hobbycraft Croydon
- Mleczko Croydon
- The Range
- IKEA
Transportation in Croydon
Located just south of Central London, East Croydon is one of the most popular hubs with access to the Whitgift Centre and Boxpark Croydon. East Croydon has a vast array of transport links available to get to Central London within 30 minutes. Hands down the best feature of Croydon transportation, especially for all the business travellers expecting to frequently travel to London Victoria or London Bridge, is its tube connectivity. Once the ideal one has been chosen from our range of serviced apartments in Croydon, it will become convenient to hop from one destination to another, that too without burning a hole in your pocket. Even if the tube is the most comfortable, do try the tram at least once for the experience.
Some of the closest London Underground stations to Croydon are:
- Bromley South
- Croydon
- East Croydon
- West Croydon Bus Station
- East Croydon Station
Croydon is home to Southern England’s only tramway system called the Tramlink. It was once the hub of it with the name ‘Croydon Tramlink’. The railway transport system is clustered majorly in East Croydon which gives frequent access to the South Coast, Brighton, and Central London. West Croydon Bus Station is the main serving station. While the tube stands for comfort, the red bus stands for affordability. Overall, the extensive connectivity to the rest of the city is what makes Croydon stand out.
Weather in Croydon
Croydon has a mix of so many weathers, a mix of which can be experienced almost every week. From winds to humidity, bright sunshine to even rain, thanks to the coast nearby. Make sure to keep all the needed travel essentials with you at all times to be prepared for every weather conditions. Among all the other variants, it is the high humidity that carries on almost equally over the year. Keeping a foldable raincoat, water, and sunscreen permanently would be a good option.
AccuWeather is a great app to keep a track of the unpredictability of weather and plan the local trips accordingly.
Overall, Croydon has an iconic and one fo the liveliest living experiences to offer in the wonderful capital of London.
