Croydon
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Croydon from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Croydon's most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry.
Diving stage at former Purley Way Lido
Croydon
Diving stage, 1935, designed by CE Boast for the County Borough of Croydon.
Kennedys Sausages
Croydon
Shop, 1926, for Kennedys. Minor later alterations. The special interest resides in the ground floor shop front and interior only, and the rest of the building is of lesser interest.
Stanley Technical High School and Stanley Halls
Croydon
Technical trade school, small hall, art gallery, large hall and residence, to the designs of W F Stanley, built between 1901 and 1909.
Norwood Grove
Croydon
Norwood Grove, a public park opened by the Prince of Wales in 1926, has historical significance with ties to the 19th century and the shipping pioneer Arthur Anderson.
Airport House
Croydon
Integrated airport terminal building and control tower, 1926-28 by the Air Ministry Department of Buildings and Works. Additional wings were added in 1941.
Surrey Iron Railway embankment, approximately 130m south …
Croydon
The Surrey Iron Railway, built in 1803, marks a significant development as the first independent public railway, pioneering iron rail use and enabling general track use.
Surrey Street Pumping Station
Croydon
The Surrey Street Pumping Station, built in phases from 1851, showcases Neo-Tudor and castellated Gothic styles, featuring notable architectural elements like a 5-light stone oriel window.
Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels
Croydon
The Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels, by architect J L Pearson, features a 13th and 14th-century style interior and was designed between 1880-1885.
Former Lodge to Croydon Airport Terminal
Croydon
The Former Lodge to the Croydon Airport Terminal, located on Purley Way, features a single-story structure with three bays divided by pilasters.
Former Auxiliary Fire Service Drill Tower
Croydon
A former Auxiliary Fire Service drill tower of around 1939.
Addington Palace
Croydon
Addington Palace, initially part of the Saxon-era Addington manor, served historical figures like Lancelot Brown and later became a summer residence for the archbishops of Canterbury.
Croydon Quaker Meeting House
Croydon
The Croydon Quaker Meeting House, built in 1956 to the designs of Hubert Lidbetter, together with the paired covered ways linking the building to the separately listed Adult School Hall.
Old Palace School (Croydon Palace)
Croydon
Old Palace School in Croydon, historically significant as the former residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury, is notable for its 15th and 16th-century architecture.
Parish Church of St John the Baptist
Croydon
The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Croydon, is a 15th-century church largely rebuilt in the Perpendicular style by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1870 after a fire.
Elmers End moated site, South Norwood
Croydon
The medieval moated site near Elmers End Station served as an aristocratic residence. It remains significant for understanding historical wealth distribution and status.
West Croydon United Reformed Church
Croydon
West Croydon United Reformed Church, built in 1886 by Mr. Church, features Gothic style with a notable tower and is listed for its townscape value.
351, Purley Way
Croydon
351 Purley Way is a 1700-1730 stuccoed building, noted for hosting Dickens and other notable figures, despite modern alterations.
Church of St Mary Addington
Croydon
The Church of St Mary in Addington features a chancel and nave from 1080, with significant restorations and brasses from the 16th century, and monuments to the Trecothick family.
Group of four World War II fighter pens at the former air…
Croydon
The RAF Kenley airfield is nationally significant for retaining nearly all its WWII dispersed fighter pens, illustrating effective aircraft ground defense against repeated air attacks.
Group of seven World War II fighter pens at the former ai…
Croydon
Kenley's fighter pens represent planned World War II aircraft defense, significant for their near-complete state, showcasing effective airfield protection strategies against aerial assaults.
Purley Council Offices Including Attached Railings
Croydon
The Purley Council Offices, designed by Nicholls and Hughes in Neo-Classical style, opened in 1930. Key features include Ionic columns, sash windows, and an inlaid marble floor.
Wrencote
Croydon
Large town house of late C17 or early C18 date, possibly designed by Henry Joynes (1684-1754), converted into offices in the mid-C20.
46, South End
Croydon
46 South End is a 17th-century, two-storey building with a jettied front and a 19th-century shop front, featuring decorative elements and a slate roof.
The White House
Croydon
The White House at 5009 Limpsfield Road features 17th-century timber framing with 18th-century additions and 1930s alterations.
Queen's Road Hospital (Entrance Block)
Croydon
Built in 1886, Queen's Road Hospital entrance block features a distinctive tall tower with a pyramidal roof, and fluted cast-iron lamp standards.
Church of St Augustine
Croydon
The Church of St Augustine, designed by John Oldrid Scott in 1881-84, features Decorated style with a four-bay nave, aisles, crossing tower, chancel, and chapels.
Whitehorse Manor School War Memorial
Croydon
A Portland stone pillar war memorial, located in the grounds of Whitehorse Manor School.
Circular Drinking Trough in Norbury Park
Croydon
Circular drinking trough, 1882, of granite construction, situated at the north of Norbury Park.
Church of All Saints
Croydon
The Church of All Saints in Sanderstead is a medieval parish church, featuring a 13th-century nave, 14th-century chancel and tower, and historic wall paintings.
Davidson Lodge
Croydon
Davidson Lodge, designed by S W Dawkes in 1852, is an extensive two-story range of almshouses with distinctive architectural features like Dutch gables and octagonal towers.
Coombe Lodge
Croydon
Coombe Lodge, located on Coombe Road, is a Grade II listed building from the early 18th century with 19th-century additions and features.
Church of the Holy Innocents, and Boundary Wall
Croydon
The Church of the Holy Innocents in Selhurst, built in 1894-5 by G F Bodley, features stone construction with a nave, chancel, and stained glass by Kempe.
Croham Hurst round barrow
Croydon
Bowl barrows, like Croham Hurst, are prehistoric funerary monuments from 2400-1500 BC, offering insights into early social structures and burial practices, despite some historical erosion.
Numbers 2 to 8 (Even) With Boundary Wall and Entry Arches…
Croydon
A late 19th-century structure with ornate design features including flint and brick dressings, ornamental roofing, and decorative arches.
61, 63, 65, Church Street
Croydon
A row of commercial buildings on Church Street dates back to 1740 with distinctive brown and red brick and modernized features.
Elis David Almshouse Including Railings and Gates to Street
Croydon
Founded in 1447, Elis David Almshouse showcases red brick architecture with unique gable end parapets, complemented by wrought-iron railings and gates.
Flint Cottage
Croydon
Flint Cottage, dated 1796, features two-storey brick and flint design with six windows and a modern tile roof, possibly merging three original cottages into one.
9-12 Doble Court
Croydon
9-12 Doble Court, originally part of a mid-19th century house, features distinctive red brickwork and modernized windows, highlighting its historical architectural significance.
Croydon through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how Croydon changes over time.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Croydon
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground.
Croydon
Hangars off Purley Way at Croydon Aerodrome, Croydon, 1927
Croydon
Rollason's premises at Croydon Airport and Purley Way Playing Fields, Croydon, 1953
Croydon
The Town Hall and Clocktower, Croydon, 1938
Croydon
The town centre, Croydon, 1969
Selsdon
New housing at Farley Road, Selsdon, 1926
Selsdon
Littleheath Wood and housing surrounding Queenhill Road and Foxearth Road, Selsdon, 1931
Selsdon
New housing at Farley Road, Selsdon, 1926
Selsdon
Housing around Foxearth Road, Sundale Avenue and environs, Selsdon, 1937
Coulsdon
Farthing Downs, Coulsdon, 1948
Coulsdon
Farthing Downs, Coulsdon, 1948
Croydon in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Croydon's past.
Eric de Mare
Greater London Authority
Date created: 1945 - 1980
General view within an unidentified building showing the Richard Burchett monument.
John Gay Collection: Railway Stations
Croydon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1960 - 1972
View looking along platforms at Selhurst Station, showing platform buildings and ornate canopies with decorative wooden valances.
John Gay Collection: London
River Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1946 - 1964
Elevated view of boats on the River Thames, with cranes in the foreground
John Gay Collection: Modern Architects
Croydon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1980
Inside the IBM building in Croydon looking along a corridor in the Customer Test Centre
John Gay Collection: Counties
Coulsdon, Croydon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1950s - 1960s
A gravestone, dated 1875, with the west tower of St John's Church beyond
John Laing Collection
Croydon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 09 Sep 1966
A group of children playing in a play area on an Easiform housing estate in Croydon
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Croham Hurst, Croydon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1900 - 1903
CHRISTMAS POSTCARD SHOWING VIEW OF CROHAM HURST
Eric de Mare
Gipsy Hill, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Detail view showing a carved head on the decorative arch of a porch in Gipsy Hill. Situated along the Norwood and Streatham boundary.
John Gay Collection: London
River Thames, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1946 - 1964
Elevated view of boats on the River Thames, with cranes in the foreground
John Gay Collection: Modern Architects
Croydon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1980
Inside the IBM building in Croydon looking through an internal window into a modern office suite
John Laing Collection
Croydon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 09 Sep 1966
An elevated view showing rows of houses at an Easiform housing estate in Croydon
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Croydon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1900 - 1930
GENERAL VIEW FROM THE GARDENS
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about Croydon.
Stanley Arts: The ‘Eccentric’ Architecture of Inventor William Stanley
Mentions Stanley Technical High School and Stanley Halls
Stanley Halls was built in 1903. Today, it is home to one of South London’s premier arts and performance venues.
9 Places That Tell the Story of Early Flight
Mentions Airport House
The first sustained, powered, heavier-than-air flight in the UK signalled a new age of sky-high ambitions.
A Brief Introduction to Lidos
Mentions Diving stage at former Purley Way Lido
Increasing water safety concerns in the 1920s inspired the creation of outdoor pools with concrete, tiled tanks and water filtration systems.
5 Surprising sites that tell the story of travel
Mentions Airport House
Join us on a journey across the country to top up your travel trivia.
10 Exceptional First World War Memorials
Mentions Croydon War Memorial
These are some of the most outstanding memorials to those who died during the First World War.
Mentions Croydon
What does the future of the high street look like? In this short film, youth group Art Press and actor/filmmaker Araba Aduah consider the changes they...
About Us/Without Us: 'Croydon, a City in Itself'
What does the future of the high street look like? In this short film, youth group Art Press and actor/filmmaker Araba Aduah consider the changes they have seen in Croydon town centre surrounding the high street in recent years and what their vision for the future is.
High Streets Heritage Action Zones’ Cultural Programme Launches with 'High Street Tales'
Mentions Croydon
Today Historic England launches a podcast and ebook called 'High Street Tales'. These are the first events of a four-year-long cultural programme.
Funding Secured for Historic High Streets Recovery
Mentions Croydon
High Streets across England given the green light for Historic England regeneration schemes to aid their economic recovery.
'Bowie Bandstand' in Beckenham Listed on Festival’s 50th Anniversary
Mentions Croydon
Historic bandstand in London's Croydon Road Recreation ground, where David Bowie performed at the Growth Summer Festival in 1969, has been listed.
More Than 2,500 Poignant War Memorials Listed During Four Year Project to Commemorate First World War Centenary
Mentions Promenade de Verdun Memorial Landscape
Through the First World War Memorials programme, 2,645 First World War memorials have been listed, more than doubling the amount previously listed.
New Poll Shows Strong Public Popularity for Conservation Areas - 50 Years After They Were Introduced
Mentions Croydon
Findings released on anniversary of the first Conservation Area, Stamford in Lincolnshire, designated in 1967 - there are now more than 10,000 Conserv
Remembering Passchendaele: War Memorials Listed
Mentions Croydon War Memorial, Croydon
Battle of Passchendaele centenary marked with 13 new and upgraded war memorial listings
Croydon's social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area.
The Grange, Canon's Hill, Coulsdon, Greater London
Period: Tudor (1485 - 1602)
This building has a long history. In the Middle Ages a monastic grange was located to the rear of the present property.
The Grange, Canon's Hill, Coulsdon, Greater London
Stanley Technical High School, South Norwood Hill, Croydon, Greater London
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
This building was originally a technical trade school, public halls and art gallery.
Stanley Technical High School, South Norwood Hill, Croydon, Greater London
Shirley Windmill, Upper Shirley Road, Croydon, Greater London
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This is a tower mill that was rebuilt here in 1854. It was built to replace an earlier mill that had burnt down that year.
Shirley Windmill, Upper Shirley Road, Croydon, Greater London
Russell Hill Schools, Russell Hill, Croydon, Greater London
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This school was built as the Royal Warehousemen's, Clerks's and Drapers's School. It was built in 1863.
Russell Hill Schools, Russell Hill, Croydon, Greater London
Royal Flying Corps, Shirley Park, Croydon, Greater London
Period: World War One (1914 - 1919)
A group portrait showing members of the Royal Flying Corps outside Shirley Park.
Royal Flying Corps, Shirley Park, Croydon, Greater London
Queen's Road Hospital, Queen's Road, Croydon, Greater London
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This building was originally part of Croydon Union Workhouse. It was built in 1865 by J. Berney. Separate fever wards were added in 1879.
Queen's Road Hospital, Queen's Road, Croydon, Greater London
Old Palace School, Old Palace Road, Croydon, Greater London
Period: Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)
This building was originally a Medieval manor house. It was used as a summer residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury from 1273 to 1780.
Old Palace School, Old Palace Road, Croydon, Greater London
Odeon Cinema, 108 North End, Croydon, Greater London
Period: 1930s (1930 - 1938)
Originally the Electric Theatre (1909), it became the Picture House in 1913.
Odeon Cinema, 108 North End, Croydon, Greater London
