Tram links: Addington Village Interchange

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 pheasants in the fields by Addington Village, January 2025

The footpath that runs alongside the tram tracks allows you to see into the fields, which are usually home to horses. They are good places to watch birds, especially in the winter months. Look out for grazing redwings, rooks, jackdaws, gulls, pheasants, and more. Sometimes there are some common gulls (not actually very common round here) among the black-headed gulls. I have missed many trams while watching birds there. Make sure you keep out of the fields and don't touch or feed the horses, as it's private property. 

Black-headed gulls on a lamppost at Addington Village, January 2025

If you go across the dual carriageway at the traffic lights towards the petrol station, you'll reach Addington Village itself. There's a Harvester if you fancy a meal, or you can explore the area's extensive history. 

The church of St Mary the Blessed Virgin is a good place to start. Founded in 1080, the church is not far off a thousand years old. You can read about its history on the church's website. When Addington Palace became the summer home of the Archbishops of Canterbury in 1808, the church took on a very important role, and five Archbishops of Canterbury are buried there. In the churchyard there's a memorial to them. 

Other notable people involved with the church and buried there include Sir George Johnson "Physician Extraordinary to the Queen [Victoria]" and Barlow Trecothick, a former Lord Mayor of London who built the current Addington Palace. The churchyard is peaceful to walk around, and there is an inner walled churchyard too.

Inside the church, the chancel is brightly painted - this was apparently Victorian and has since been restored. 

Another remarkable piece of history is that Addington still has a working forge, which has been going since 1740 (under different management). 

From here, there are a number of different ways you could walk to visit interesting places.

Shirley Heath, August 2025

You can walk up Spout Hill to Bridle Road, which is just before the width restriction barriers at the end of Shirley Church Road. This is quite a steep hill though. At this point, it is a path through Shirley Heath. This is a quiet green space with woodlands, grasslands on sandy soil and small areas of heathland. There are views across London. On the other side lies Shrublands and south Shirley with Millers Pond not far away. 

Bluebells in Spring Park, April 2026

You can walk further along Kent Gate Way to Spring Park, which is in the borough of Bromley and owned by the City of London Commons. There is a lovely wildlife pond at the edge of the woodlands and in spring the woods are full of bluebells. You can walk through to West Wickham. 

Spring Park pond, April 2026

Alternatively, also in the borough of Bromley, across the road from the car park for Spring Park is a footpath through some fields, by the bus stop called Addington Road/Pumping Station. Take care crossing Kent Gate Way as it is 40mph and there's no safe place to cross, which is annoying. The path goes diagonally across a field where I have seen meadow pipits, whitethroats and skylarks. There are a couple of stiles, so be aware if you have mobility problems. 

St John's Church West Wickham, April 2021

It leads to a small historic church called St John's, West Wickham, which is on a hill. The church site was established well before the time of the Domesday Book. The author of the Penge Past blog believes it may have been a pre-Christian site of worship, as there's thought to have been a Roman town at West Wickham. it has some 14th and 15th Century windows and other internal features, although much of the existing church is from the 19th Century. Whatever its origin, it's worth a visit if you can manage the climb and stiles. 

Horses below St John's Church, April 2026

There are usually horses grazing in the field surrounding the church and these attract birds like starlings and goldfinches. Despite its proximity to the main road, it has quite a rural feel, and there are also birds to be found in the churchyard. 

Robin gathering food for chicks in St John's Churchyard, April 2026

From here, you can walk down to Addington Road and catch a 119 bus to Croydon or a 314 or 353 back towards Addington Village. If you want to extend your walk, you can head across Coney Hall Recreation Ground and through the streets to West Wickham Common, which is pretty and connects with Hayes Common, Bromley Common and Keston Ponds. 

Getting there: Trams to New Addington stop at Addington Village. Many bus routes stop there, including the 466, 64, 433 and 130. 

Amenities: Not a lot, but there's a petrol station and a Harvester across Kent Gate Way from the tram stop. In Shrublands there's a few shops and past St John's Church at Coney Hall there's shops and cafes. 

Fairly flat if you want to visit Addington Village or walk along to Spring Park but Shirley Heath and St John's Church routes involve walking up hills.