Croydon

Croydon is a major suburban town and commercial centre situated 9.5 miles (15.3 km) south of Charing Cross and the principal town in the London Borough of Croydon.

Transport

The town of Croydon is situated near one of the sources of the River Wandle. Just to the south is a significant gap in the North Downs which acts as a route focus for transport from London to the south coast.

Related Topics:
Wandle - North Downs - Route focus

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The old London to Brighton road, the A23, passed through the town as does the main line from London to Brighton. Today the A23 follows a route to the west of the town known as the Purley Way.

Related Topics:
Brighton - Purley Way

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Croydon's early transport links

The horse-drawn Surrey Iron Railway was Britain's first public railway. It was opened in 1803, had double track, was some 8½ miles long and ran from Wandsworth to Croydon terminating at what is now Reeves Corner. The railway boom of the 1840s brought superior and faster steam lines and it closed in 1846. The route is still followed in part by Croydon's new Tramlink system.

Related Topics:
Surrey Iron Railway - 1803 - Wandsworth - 1840s - Tramlink

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The Croydon Canal ran for 9½ miles from what is now West Croydon railway station north along the course of the present railway line to New Cross Gate, where it joined the Surrey canal and went on into the Thames. It was opened in 1809 and had 28 locks. It had a strong competitor in the Surrey Iron Railway and was never a financial success. It sold out to the steam railways in 1836 and the present Croydon to New Cross Gate line follows much of its course. The lake at South Norwood is the former reservoir for the canal.

Related Topics:
Croydon Canal - West Croydon railway station - New Cross Gate - Surrey canal - Thames - 1809 - 1836 - South Norwood - Canal

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Croydon Airport

Croydon Airport on Purley Way used to be the main airport for London before it was superseded by London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport. Starting out during World War I as an airfield for protection against Zeppelins, and developing into one of the great airports of the world during the 1920s and 1930s, it welcomed the world's pioneer aviators in its heyday. As aviation technology progressed, however, and aircraft became larger and more numerous, it was recognized in 1952 that the airport would be too small to cope with the ever-increasing volume of air traffic. It was decided it would have to close, and the last scheduled flight departed on 30 September 1959.

Related Topics:
Purley Way - London - London Heathrow Airport - London Gatwick Airport - World War I - Zeppelin - 1920s - 1930s - Aircraft - 30 September - 1959

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The air terminal, now known as Airport House, has been restored and has a museum open one day a month.

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Railways and trams

Croydon is the hub of the Tramlink service in South London and has mainline rail services to Central London, Gatwick Airport and the South Coast from East Croydon station. There is a large bus station at West Croydon. There are plans to link Croydon to the East London Line by way of an extension to West Croydon.

Related Topics:
Tramlink - South London - Gatwick Airport - East Croydon station - West Croydon - East London Line - West Croydon

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Railway stations

Stations in Croydon:

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• East Croydon
• South Croydon
• West Croydon

Tramlink stops

Tramlink stops near the centre of Croydon:

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• East Croydon station
• West Croydon station
• Wellesley Road
• George Street
• Church Street
• Reeves Corner
• Lebanon Road