35 Things to Do in Croydon

Look north and you’ll find sprawling London districts; look south and you’ll see beautiful rural green spaces to feel at one with nature in. 

Although it has tried many times to earn city status, the town is home to an eclectic mix of historic and modern activities to get involved in. Home to the UK’s first major international terminal, historic street markets dating back to the 1200s and some of the best pies in the country, there’s so much to discover in this town. 

In this post, we’ll look at some of the best things to do in Croydon, from cultural highlights to outdoor adventures to day out ideas that won’t cost a penny. 

Visit the world’s oldest Air Traffic Control Tower

Aviation enthusiasts’ first port of call in town should be the award-winning Croydon Airport Visitor Centre. Open the first Sunday of every month, the centre is located within the world’s oldest Air Traffic Control Tower. Features include interactive displays, exhibits and images showcasing the rich history of Croydon Airport from World War I, the UK’s first major international terminal, Battle of Britain and its closure in 1959. 

Step back in time at the Museum of Croydon

History buffs keen to learn more about the vibrant town can visit the Museum of Croydon. Providing a radical space to celebrate diversity and how Croydon unites its people, the museum showcases exhibitions of historical artefacts that shaped the town into what it is today. There’s also art on show by some famous people who studied at the renowned Croydon College. 

Kick-start your driving skills

Get on track for a future on the road with a 60 minute young driver lesson where you’ll learn everything from how to start the car to changing gears to braking. You’ll even take part in a simulated road experience complete with realistic roundabouts, junctions and more. 

Have a picnic at Wandle Park

The 21-acre Wandle Valley Regional Park is a favourite for local residents and frequent visitors alike, recently redeveloped to offer some tranquility that Croydon was missing. The River Wandle flows through the middle of the park and is home to a variety of features including a bandstand, playground, ornamental garden and skate park. If the weather is set to be glorious, the park is also the perfect picnic spot. 

Enjoy some retail therapy at the Centrale & Whitgift Centre 

Freshen up your wardrobe by visiting one of the town’s major shopping destinations Centrale & Whitgift Centre. Here, you’ll discover a range of high street fashion brands like H&M and Zara in addition to everything from homeware to toys to jewellery. The centre has an amazing selection of eateries and restaurants with a variety of cuisines on offer. 

Sharpen your golf swing

Throw out the books and instructional videos and make the most of being in Croydon by heading to one of the town’s finest golf courses. With expert guidance from PGA coaches, you’ll be teeing off like a pro in no time as every aspect of your golf game is analysed. With beautiful views to accompany your golfing adventure, this is an unmissable Croydon adventure. 

Explore the Shirley Windmill

One of only four windmills open to the public in Greater London, Shirley Windmill is a 174-year-old Tower Mill. Although it hasn’t been in action since 1890, the original machinery is still in place. One of the last windmills to be built in this country, the mill is open during the summer months with guided tours taking place the first Sunday of the month from June to October.  

Discover Croydon’s art scene

The town has an expanding art scene with a variety of art galleries and spaces that are definitely worth a visit. Examples include: 

• RISE Gallery: Tucked away in St Georges Walk, RISE gallery plays a prominent role in Croydon’s art scene. Specialising in contemporary art, the gallery exhibits both established and up-and-coming talent. 
• Art Rebellion: Created by renowned artist George Ioannou, Art Rebellion showcases equally innovative and quirky art installations. With a goal of encouraging art without boundaries, you can find limited edition prints, original artwork and one-off art installations. 

Go watch a football match

Selhurst Park has been the home ground of Crystal Palace Football Club since 1924. In 2018, plans were announced to extend the capacity to fit 34,000. Whether you’re a football fan or not, try and time your visit with a matchday and you’ll find it tricky to not be completely immersed in the whole atmosphere of the game. Some even say that the stadium has one of the best atmospheres in the Premier League. 

Put your mental skills to the test

Founded in 2016, Exciting Escapes offer five highly-themed authentic escape rooms. Great for competing against friends, you must find clues, solve puzzles, and complete challenges to finish your mission in 60 minutes. Uncover evidence of a murder during the Cold War of the 1950’s or even take on Nazi spies in the 1930’s. 

Jump, jump, jump around at Oxygen Freejumping

For a great family day out, head to Oxygen Freejumping for an active and fun day out in Croydon. Bounce on 150 connected trampolines in the football pitch-sized space. Vault the podiums, twist down the tumble tracks and rebound off the walls. Book in sessions of 60, 90 or 120 minutes. 

Sink into relaxation with a spa day

Everyone deserves a little ‘me’ time and what better place to do it than Croydon’s tranquil sanctuary of PURE Spa. Recently renovated with a makeover to warrant its location, the award-winning spa offers an array of relaxing treatments to choose from, entirely tailored to your body and its needs. It’s the perfect place for winding down and rejuvenating.

Delve deeper into the mind at the Bethlem Museum 

A hidden gem in Croydon’s flourishing museum scene, Bethlem Museum of the Mind tackles mental health care in the UK head on. The museum exhibits over 1000 pieces of art from artists affected by mental health. A truly eye-opening experience, the museum draws in visitors from across the globe with frequent events taking place throughout the year. 

Channel your inner spy 

Opened in 2016, the SI5 Spy Missions in Exchange Square is described as Crystal Maze meets James Bond, offering an adrenaline-fuelled adventure for all. Participants will climb through tunnels and dodge lasers while solving puzzles to save London from obliteration. 

Get your creativity flowing at Matthews Yard

Nestled down a cobblestone alley in the heart of Old Croydon lies the town’s leading creative hub Matthews Yard. Brimming with community vibes and cultural pursuits, visitors can take part in a range of activities from craft classes to film nights. While there, it’s also worth checking out the art on show in the gallery, catching a show in the theatre or enjoying a bite to eat in the smash-hit restaurant Bgr&Beer. 

Best places to eat in Croydon 

Croydon’s bustling bar and restaurant scene is rapidly garnering the attention of foodies across the country. Check out some of our top picks from the plethora of food destinations on offer.

• Play board games at The Ludoquist. What could be better than surrounding yourself with good food, good games and good company? The Ludoquist is all about keeping one hand free to play great board games and the other for tucking into some seriously good food. 
• Swing by the Spread Eagle. Grade II listed, The Spread Eagle is frequently referred to as one of the town’s best pubs. The pastry-focussed menu features lovingly handmade pies crafted using the finest ingredients. The pub also has live productions in its cosy theatre on tap. 
• Have an Indian at Tindli by Chef Karnavar. With 18 years of experience under his belt, head chef at Tindli creates a modern Indian casual dining experience that is not your run-of-the-mill. The restaurant effortlessly fuses nostalgia and passion, bringing dishes packed full of flavours, aromas and spices. 
• Tuck into award-winning British fare at McDermott’s. A family-run business, McDermott’s has been going strong for decades with one mission - to be the best. With their most popular dish being fish and chips, their passion for quality and consistency is evident throughout the restaurant. 
• Buy beer from Croydon’s very own The Cronx. Founded in 2012, the Croydon born and bred duo behind The Cronx are always experimenting to create new craft beers from porters to pales to spiced ales. 

• Eat your way around Boxpark. First opened in 2016, Boxpark has become a landmark attraction in its own right. A foodie paradise, dishes range from authentic Taiwanese street food and burgers to crepes, baked doughnuts and more. Boxpark’s main nightspot Beatbox features established and emerging DJs. 
• Take your taste buds on a culinary journey at Ponte Nuovo. Offering a taste of Milan in the heart of Croydon, Ponte Nuovo has mastered classic Italian cuisine with dishes like pizza and pasta. While there, be sure to stop for a cocktail (or two) in the glamorous cocktail bar. 
• Hear live music at the Oval Tavern. Hidden down a quiet residential street lies a true oasis of a pub The Oval Tavern. Both traditional and quirky, the pub boasts an ever-changing range of ales, beers and ciders, served alongside a programme of live music featuring a variety of genres from folk to jazz to rock. 
• Indulge in authentic French cuisine at Little Bay. One of the quirkiest restaurants in Croydon, Little Bay is passionate about serving great French cuisine at very reasonable prices. To enhance their theatrical décor, the restaurant is renowned for its live opera and music entertainment. 
• Satisfy your cravings at the Store. Located inside an old Sainsbury’s building, The Store caters for all dining occasions from hearty brunches for friends to romantic dinners carefully curated with seasonal, local produce. Not to mention, the restaurant also has an extensive craft spirit selection. 

Free things to do in Croydon

The great thing about Croydon is you don’t have to dig deep to go out and have fun. We’ve put together some of our favourite free things to do in Croydon. 

• Go inside Croydon Minster. Steeped in history, the Croydon Minster is an impressive landmark whether you’re religious or not. Well worth exploring, you can call in any day of the year apart from Thursdays 10-4 and from 10:30-1pm on Saturdays. 
• Go for a walk or cycle along the Wandle trail. At 14 miles long, the Wandle trail follows the River Wandle from Croydon to its mouth within the Thames. Mostly traffic-free, you’ll discover some beautiful spots along the way to stop for refreshments. 
• Meet the animals at Crystal Palace Park Farm. The charming Crystal Palace Park Farm is home to a wide range of animals. A day out here involves not only meeting and greeting the loveable creatures but also learning about the running of a working farm. Open daily excluding Wednesdays, entry is free though donations are gratefully received. 
• Take a self-guided tour of Croydon’s Street Art. Frequently referred to as London’s new home of street art, there’s a colourful mural to be discovered at almost every turn with new additions seemingly appearing weekly. Croydon’s rapidly growing arty reputation is only further reinforced by Banksy’s recent decision to create a piece of installation art here. 
• Browse London’s oldest street market. The biggest market in town is incidentally London’s oldest, Surrey Street Market which fills the namesake road. Holding this exact spot since 1276, visitors can browse the mix of Caribbean and Asian stalls selling fruit here. Creatives will want to visit on Sunday to be inspired by the various artisan food, craft and entertainment stalls on offer. 

Outdoor Activities 

Ideal for outdoor activities, Croydon really does have something for everyone with both adventure and relaxation-filled adventures:  

• Be at one with nature on a country walk through Coombe Wood. With its picturesque ornamental gardens and well-maintained lawn, Coombe Wood is an idyllic location to while away an afternoon. Against the backdrop of a small pond and woodland, enjoy a tea and slice of cake in the Coach House Café. 
• Search out every one of the 46 blue plaques. Blue plaques commemorate famous people, places and events and Croydon is brimming with such landmarks. From writer Raymond Chandler to Samuel Coleridge-Taylor the composer, head on a journey through Croydon’s streets ticking off the plaques as you go. 
• Watch a film under the stars. Adventure Cinema has brought its outdoor cinema to Croydon’s Wandle Park. Cinemagoers can sit back in their own camping chairs (or purchase VIP deck chairs) to watch iconic and timeless films in a beautiful location. Hot food, snacks and a bar are available on-site. 
• Marvel at the Croydon clocktower. Synonymous with Croydon, Katharine Street’s Croydon Clocktower is an arts and museum complex. With a neo-Baroque design dating back to the 1890s, the award-winning tower draws visitors in, housing a cinema, museum and library. 
• Race your mates go-karting. The only kart in Croydon, Traq Motor Racing is the ideal place to spend some time outdoors with loved ones. Compete against each other in some “friendly” competition or take part in your very own Grand Prix. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Croydon famous for? 

In the past, Croydon was known for being a hub of aviation activity housing the UK’s first major international airport and the world’s oldest Air Traffic Control tower. These days, the town is famous for its street art and creative murals that adorn public places in town. 

Does Croydon have a tube station?

Unfortunately there are no tube stations in Croydon but the fantastic Tramlink can take you to Wimbledon where the London Underground stations start. Alternatively, just a 20 minute train journey will take you to Central London.