The Unexpected Beauty of Croydon

A tram at Waddon Marsh on Purley Way It's not a bus, it's not a train... it's a tram! Since 2000, trams have been a key part of transport in Croydon and along the routes to Beckenham, Elmers End, New Addington and Wimbledon. You can read about the history of the Croydon tram system on Wikipedia . It opened in 2000 after literally decades of planning. Part of it runs on former railway lines, while other parts run on or parallel to roads.  I use trams often, as they're fast and direct. The "hopper" fare means you can combine trams and buses in the same journey. I'm going to write about what there is to see around some of the tram stops, beginning with Addington Village Interchange. Addington Village Interchange doesn't seem particularly remarkable at first glance. It's a tram stop and a small bus station with fields on one side and a busy dual carriageway on the other. Ideal if you want to switch between buses or between bus and tram.  Two male pheas...

Traditionally, municipal parks have featured neat, well-trimmed green lawns and carefully planned flowerbeds. Long grass and unplanned plants are considered by many to be signs of neglect. The photos above show a neat flowerbed at Waddon Ponds in March 2020 and wildflowers at South Norwood Lake in June 2026. I have recently seen posts in a group where people talk about memories of Croydon bemoaning the lack of flowers at Waddon Ponds, with the poster saying they won't go back there again. I was quite shocked as it's a peaceful oasis behind Purley Way and a great place to see waterbirds. I had barely noticed the loss of the ornamental flowers. A neat flowerbed in Park Hill Park, April 2020 In Croydon, the council has gone bust several times in the last six years, and spending on parks is minimal. Even before the pandemic, spending was being cut and much of the upkeep of parks was left to friends’ groups. Parks tend to get improvements where there is a specific grant, but otherw...

Did you know that you can meet, feed, and pet capybaras in Croydon? These giant relatives of the guinea pig are well known for their relaxed and friendly temperament. They love a good scratch under the chin or around their armpits.  How about meeting a porcupine who likes to nose boop people's hands?  Corsac fox You could meet meerkats, corsac foxes, parrots, sugar gliders, tortoises, and more. Not forgetting domesticated favourites like cute pygmy goats, rabbits, normal sized guinea pigs, and Shetland ducks, which have lovely curled tail feathers.  Shetland ducks All of these animals live at the ARC Centre in Selsdon . It's based in the grounds of Greenvale Primary School, close to Selsdon Wood. This Community Interest Company is not a zoo, it's an educational organisation, so you can only visit for pre-booked sessions. There are sessions where children of all ages can learn about different aspects animal care and become rangers, after school, at weekends and in school h...