Welcome to London x London’s Croydon Guide: your guide to the best bars, restaurants and things to do in this South London neighbourhood.
Croydon sits around ten miles south of central London, one of the capital’s largest commercial and residential boroughs, bordering Sutton, Bromley and the Surrey suburbs beyond.
Croydon might be known as ‘the Cronx’ to locals, but this South London borough has a longer and stranger history than most of the capital.
Once one of the holiest places in England and later home to London’s first major airport, it’s now a cosmopolitan mix of markets, pubs and independent restaurants.
Croydon was once a resting place for Archbishops of Canterbury travelling between Kent and Lambeth Palace, who even built Croydon Palace to accommodate them. Surrey Street Market, still running today, dates back to the 13th century.
More recently, Croydon played its part in the industrial revolution and was home to Croydon Airport, London’s main airport until Heathrow took over after the Second World War. Today it’s a cosmopolitan mix of cosy pubs, good places to eat and plenty of quirky things to do beyond the usual tourist spots.
South London’s most surprising suburb, layered history and big-city energy
