The Unexpected Beauty of Croydon

There's no denying that Croydon is extremely well connected, with trams, National Rail, Overground and numerous buses serving the borough. However, if you'd travelled the current Overground route to West Croydon in the early 19th century, you'd have needed a boat, as it was the Croydon Canal. If you'd visited Croydon between the two World Wars, you'd have found the UK's first (and only) international airport. I'm no local history expert and I have limited resources to draw on, so I'm going to focus on the present day sites where it's possible to see bits of the past transport infrastructure. Betts Park, Anerley, May 2020 There are few signs of the Croydon Canal remaining, as it was short-lived, being replaced by a railway line from West Croydon to London Bridge in 1836. The website London's Lost Rivers has more information. A short section of the canal still exists in Betts Park, which is just over the border with Bromley in Anerley. South Norwo...

I'm not even going to try to claim that Purley Way is beautiful*. It's a former industrial area that has gradually evolved into out of town shopping. It's a horrible place to drive, walk, cycle, or take the bus to. The only decent way to get there is by tram, in my opinion, because the tram route bypasses the awful roads and junctions.  Tram at Reeves Corner, 2020 Did you know that the River Wandle passes under Purley Way and is visible close to both sides of this traffic-clogged artery? It's worth braving a small stretch of road to follow the river to Waddon Ponds. Mural celebrating Croydon's saffron growing heritage under the Roman Way From Croydon town centre or the Old Town, it's a short walk to Wandle Park. Go to Reeves Corner, at the bottom of Church Street, and cross over the tram tracks. You'll see the Roman Way elevated dual carriageway called Jubilee Bridge (I've always thought this a terrible tribute to the Queen's longevity) - head for th...