Croydon is a vibrant south London borough where centuries of history meet modern development. Its medieval Minster, buzzing cultural spaces and excellent transport links come together to create a lively, connected neighbourhood. From leafy strolls to adrenaline-filled thrills, it’s easy to see why it was crowned London Borough of Culture 2023.
Our Visit London authors have curated this full guide to the very best things to do in Croydon, shaped by local insight and destination experience.
Whether you want to explore historic landmarks and attractions, enjoy independent arts and music, wander through green spaces or experience Croydon’s evolving town centre, this neighbourhood offers a memorable mix of things to see, do, eat, drink and enjoy just minutes from central London.
Don’t miss our insider tips and FAQs to help you make the most of your visit – whether it’s your first time in Croydon or you’re returning to uncover something new.
What not to miss in Croydon
- 🏟️ Best for historic attractions: Croydon Airport Visitor Centre, Museum of Croydon, Croydon Minster, Shirley Windmill.
- 👪 Best for families: Kidspace Croydon, Oxygen Freejumping, Flip Out Croydon, The Ludoquist.
- 🌿 Best for nature: Wandle Park, Coombe Wood, Park Hill, Lloyd Park.
- 🎨 Best for arts and culture: Fairfield Halls, David Lean Cinema.
- 🍸 Best for food and drink: Boxpark Croydon, Playbox, The Oval Tavern.
- 🛍️ Best for shopping: Centrale, Whitgift Centre, Surrey Street Market.
How we chose the best things to do in Croydon
Our team of Visit London authors are London locals and experts who have years of experience exploring the city's many unique neighbourhoods. We keep updated with new openings and special events, sharing our deep knowledge of iconic sites and hidden corners of the capital. Our insights into the visitor experience help us understand what people are looking for and what remains culturally significant in the city.
In this guide, you'll find everything you need, along with our top tips and recommendations, all curated from our expertise and experience.
Top things to do in Croydon
Find all the best ways to spend your time visiting this buzzing south London neighbourhood, packed with global flavours, fun activities and wide-open green spaces.
Whether you’re drawn to bold food scenes, hands-on experiences or relaxed strolls in nature, explore our handpicked selection of top places to visit in Croydon and make the most of your time in the area.
1. Explore Britain’s original international airport at Croydon Airport Visitor Centre – best for aviation enthusiasts and history lovers
Step into the birthplace of modern air travel at the Croydon Airport Visitor Centre, where Britain’s first major international airport helped shape the future of global aviation.
Established in 1920, this pioneering site was home to Britain’s first national airline, Imperial Airways, and witnessed record-breaking flights, including Amy Johnson’s legendary solo journey to Australia. It also introduced innovations to the world, from the world’s first purpose-built airport terminal to the first control tower, air traffic control and even the international distress call “Mayday”.
We love that the volunteer-run micro museum brings these stories to life through engaging displays and original artefacts. Open on the first Sunday of every month, the centre offers a rare chance to explore the historic terminal building, museum and iconic control tower through a guided tour.
Best for: Anyone keen to discover Croydon’s role in shaping global aviation.
Good to know: Only open on the first Sunday of every month and you must pre-book a guided tour.
2. Get a taste of the world at Boxpark Croydon – best for street-food lovers, sports fans and social hangouts
Boxpark Croydon brings together global flavours, live sport and a buzzing community vibe inside its distinctive refurbished shipping containers. With locations across London, the Croydon site stands out for its huge choice of street-food traders, serving everything from Afghan dumplings and Thai curries to Polish comfort dishes, Nigerian classics, Nepalese momos and New Orleans-style soul food. Sweet-toothed visitors can tuck into vegan crumble, churros, smoothies or signature coffees from the dessert spots dotted around the venue.
As the official Crystal Palace fan park, Boxpark Croydon is the place to soak up the electric match-day atmosphere, whether you’re gearing up before kick-off or celebrating afterwards. Massive screens show everything from football and rugby to Formula One, boxing and the NFL, making it a lively hub for sports fans year-round.
With great food, drinks and entertainment all under one roof, it’s a vibrant stop on any Croydon day out.
Best for: Grabbing a bite, catching a game or simply enjoying the energy of this modern London hangout.
Good to know: Seating is a mix of communal benches, and some events and screenings require free or low-cost tickets, so checking ahead is advised.
3. Discover the stories that shaped the borough at the Museum of Croydon – best for culture seekers, local history fans and free days out
Housed inside the landmark Croydon Clocktower, the Museum of Croydon is a welcoming cultural space that celebrates the area’s diverse communities, past and present, through more than 138,000 objects that capture everyday life, major moments and the people who made Croydon what it is today.
A highlight is the renowned Riesco Collection of Chinese ceramics, a permanent display featuring archaeological treasures dating back to 2,500 BC, from Tang dynasty tomb figures to elegant Ming dynasty bowls. Alongside this, three rotating exhibition spaces showcase contemporary art, community projects and fresh perspectives on local heritage.
Best for: Curious visitors of all ages.
Good to know: Entry is free and as it’s located inside the Croydon Clocktower, we recommend visiting alongside the library and David Lean Cinema.
4. Pause for a quiet moment of reflection at Croydon Minster – best for architecture lovers and history buffs
Croydon Minster is one of the borough’s most atmospheric landmarks, a Grade I-listed church that has been a place of worship since Saxon times. Its long and storied past includes being the resting place of six Archbishops of Canterbury, among them John Whitgift, a major local benefactor whose tomb shows him lying in prayer and whose legacy lives on through the Whitgift Centre, Whitgift School and the almshouses he founded in 1596.
Rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1867, the Minster incorporates surviving medieval elements into striking Victorian gothic architecture. Step inside to admire its timber nave, colourful stained glass and the impressive four-manual pipe organ from 1869. Look out for the 15th-century brass eagle lectern, one of the few pieces to survive the Reformation, complete with a small slot in its beak where medieval worshippers once placed offerings.
Best for: A serene and historically rich stop on any visit to Croydon.
Good to know: The Minster is a short walk from Croydon’s main shopping and cultural areas.
5. Step inside a rare piece of Victorian engineering at Shirley Windmill – best for heritage lovers and hidden gem enthusiasts
Shirley Windmill is a striking 17-metre (54ft) brick tower mill built in 1854 by Richard Alwen. With five working floors, four sails and most of its original Victorian machinery still in place, it offers a rare chance to step inside one of only four windmills in the capital open to the public.
Explore the grain store, see the millstones up close and climb between the floors to see the gears and mechanisms that once ground corn into flour. Look out for the inscribed brick marked “RA1854” on the first floor, a personal stamp left by Alwen himself.
After exploring inside, we recommend stopping by the Visitor Centre for informative displays, refreshments and souvenirs.
Best for: A charming and educational outing that offers a window into Victorian industry and a slower, rural chapter of Croydon’s story.
Good to know: Visit between June and October to join a guided tour on the first Sunday of the month, where volunteers bring the mill’s history and engineering to life.
6. Experience Fairfield Halls, Croydon’s cultural powerhouse – best for live performances and fantastic architecture
The heart of Croydon’s cultural quarter, Fairfield Halls hosts a vibrant year‑round programme spanning classical concerts, theatre, dance, comedy, exhibitions and conferences. Opened by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 1962, the striking mid-century facade is lined with large glass panels that fill the building with natural light and set the tone for the original foyer inside, complete with a saw-tooth ceiling, chandeliers and public balconies.
The 1,800‑seat Concert Hall remains one of the largest concert venues in south London and has welcomed world‑renowned artists alongside emerging talent, with legends such as David Bowie, The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Queen all taking to its stage. With a cafe and community studio adding to its welcoming atmosphere, Fairfield Halls continues to be a cornerstone of creativity and culture.
Best for: Live music, theatre and comedy.
Good to know: It’s located a short walk from East Croydon Station, making it easy to reach from central London.
7. Discover films in a relaxed, community-run setting at David Lean Cinema – best for cinephiles and cosy nights out
Tucked inside the grand Grade II‑listed Croydon Clocktower complex, David Lean Cinema is one of the borough’s most charming cultural gems. Opened in 1995 and named after the Oscar‑winning director behind Lawrence of Arabia, this cosy 68‑seat independent cinema is run by a passionate team of volunteers and local film lovers.
Expect an eclectic programme of recent releases, arthouse favourites, world cinema, classics and documentaries, with around nine films screened each month. The cinema is known for its welcoming atmosphere and community‑minded approach, offering a range of inclusive film clubs, from "babes in arms" screenings for new parents, to dementia-friendly showings of older films, and relaxed screenings with softer lighting and lower volume.
Best for: A low‑key movie night and independent film lovers.
Good to know: The venue screens around nine films a month and offers a range of inclusive film clubs.
8. Shop Croydon’s mix of high street staples and historic market charm – best for variety, convenience and local flavour
The Whitgift Centre and Centrale are Croydon’s main retail hubs, located opposite one another and connected by an indoor walkway that makes browsing both in a single trip effortless.
Across the multi-level shopping centres, you’ll find all your favourite high-street fashion brands, homeware, beauty, plus cafes and grab-and-go lunch spots. If you’re visiting Whitgift on a Saturday, don’t forget to pop by Pollock’s Toy Museum, one of the UK’s oldest toy museums. Discover a fascinating collection of toys, games, dolls, theatre performances, children’s workshops and rotating exhibitions.
Just a short stroll away, Surrey Street Market offers a completely different atmosphere. Trading since 1276, it’s one of Britain’s oldest known street markets and still buzzing with life. Find stalls overflowing with fresh fruit and vegetables, global street food, spices, flowers, clothing, handmade products, everyday household goods and more, Monday to Saturday.
Best for: High-street brands, weather-proof shopping, family-friendly activities and street-market finds.
Good to know: Whitgift and Centrale are fully accessible with lifts, and Surrey Street Market can get quite busy at Saturday lunchtimes.
9. Discover family-friendly things to do – best for energetic days out and giant indoor play
Croydon is packed with high-energy, family-friendly fun, and its trio of indoor activity hubs guarantees big smiles whatever the weather.
Oxygen Freejumping features wall‑to‑wall trampolines, dodgeball courts, assault courses, giant airbags, trapeze swings and more for all ages, making it ideal for burning off energy.
Just around the corner, Kidspace Croydon offers an immersive indoor adventure playpark full of giant play frames, slides, climbing zones, go-karts and imaginative spaces designed to keep younger adventurers entertained for hours.
For even more excitement, Flip Out Croydon delivers a mix of trampolines, inflatables and soft play for younger children, while older kids can tackle mini golf, laser quest, interactive football and zoom around the roller rink.
Best for: Children of all ages.
Good to know: Booking your slot online in advance is highly recommended, especially during school holidays when it can get particularly busy.
10. Enjoy friendly rivalry at The Ludoquist – best for games, grub and good times
If you’re after fun things to do in Croydon, then this award-winning, family-run board game cafe is well worth a visit.
With more than 1,400 games lining its shelves, The Ludoquist offers everything from quick card games to epic board game battles, making it an ideal choice for families, friends and anyone who loves a challenge. And with no time limits on sessions after 6pm, you can settle in and make an evening of it.
Now, it wouldn’t be game night without some good food, and the cafe’s Artisan Kitchen & Bar serves up an excellent variety. Choose from stone‑baked pizzas, locally sourced snacks, craft beers, wines, smoothies and small‑batch coffees, alongside hearty bowls and paninis ranging from chilli chorizo to green Thai chicken curry or a comforting mac and cheese.
Best for: Large groups, families, date nights, special occasions and dogs.
Good to know: Games sessions are for three hours during the day but have no limit after 6pm. It’s best to book in advance especially when visiting in the evening or on the weekend.
11. Take advantage of Croydon’s vast green spaces – best for long walks, family time and quiet escapes
As one of London’s greenest boroughs, Croydon offers no shortage of places to unwind, take a leisurely stroll or enjoy outdoor activities.
Head to Lloyd Park for wide lawns framed by mature trees and woodland trails, perfect for long dog walks, weekend picnics and casual sports, such as football, disc golf and tennis. There are also plenty of community events throughout the year, including festivals, funfairs and running races.
Wandle Park, closer to the town centre, features riverside paths, a bandstand, a skate park, landscaped gardens and plenty of space for families to wander or relax. Park Hill on the other hand was once part of the historic deer park and delivers wildflower meadows, a 19th-century brick water tower and Coombe Cliff House, where you can find a stunning walled garden.
And just beyond the bustle, Coombe Wood feels almost hidden, an ornamental garden and woodland trail that’s perfect for slow walks, nature-spotting and a break from the city pace.
Best for: A quiet bench, a long ramble or a place to let kids run free. Croydon’s green spaces make it easy to step away from the city without ever leaving it.
Good to know: Most parks have accessible paths, though Coombe Wood includes some uneven woodland trails.
12. Enjoy the nightlife in Croydon – best for live music, laid‑back pubs and late‑night energy
Croydon’s nightlife blends relaxed evenings with pockets of real buzz, offering everything from cosy pubs to lively late‑night venues.
PLAYBOX brings energy to the Croydon nightlife scene, with neon‑lit interiors, a host of exciting games, including digital darts and shuffleboard, karaoke, delicious street food, cocktails and more. For something more relaxed and family-friendly, we recommend The Oval Tavern, one of Croydon’s most beloved spots. It offers a warm, characterful pub with live music every night, Wednesday pub quizzes, a leafy beer garden and a strong community feel. It’s even known for its Saturday kids’ storytelling sessions, with music, crafts and puppetry.
Best for: Live music lovers, large groups and families.
Good to know: Kids can stay until 9pm at The Oval Tavern and dogs on leads are welcome. Booking ahead at Playbox is recommended.
Keep exploring London's neighbourhoods. Check out another buzzing south London hub with a trip to Brixton, head north to Camden Town to visit London's grunge, vintage and alternative hub, or get your culture fix in central Kensington and South Kensington.