I live only a stone’s throw from the boundary of the borough of Croydon, but until recently was largely ignorant of its charms, and unaware of its variety and interest. Sure, I’ve caught trains at East Croydon station, and made trips where necessary to its pedestrianised shopping centre, the retail sheds strung along the Purley Way, and the twin towers of Ikea, but mostly it’s been somewhere I pass through on the A23, while admittedly turning my nose up at the surroundings. All that changed earlier this year, when I was commissioned by the house builder, Brick by Brick, a development partner of Croydon Borough Council, to photograph various corners of the district for their marketing material. And what surprises were in store. Who knew that Croydon has its own palace? Or that it contains rolling green countryside, and pretty village greens, complete with ponds and resident herons? Not the image that most of us have of a much mocked and maligned part of London.
My shoots took me from urban Thornton Heath and South Norwood in the north, through Croydon’s hip town centre, to the rustic Old Coulsdon and beyond.

Thornton Heath

Pastel terrace along Thornton Heath’s High Street, reminiscent of Primrose Hill!
Some of the area’s more lacklustre corners have been brought to life with vibrant street art.
Eye catching extension to the local library by FAT Architecture

South Norwood

This Victorian suburb has 2 impressive open spaces, South Norwood Lake being one.
The thriving Clocktower Market, held monthly
The beautiful Stanley Halls serves as a multi-purpose events space, hosting exhibitions, markets and concerts.
Cafes, craft beer bars and galleries now dot the high street.
South Norwood Country Park, the area’s other great green lung.

Coulsdon

Rolling countryside and woodland only moments from downtown urban Croydon.

Central Croydon

View of the Town Hall from Park Hill Park
Surrey Street, with one of the oldest established street markets in the country.
The welcome addition of vibrant street art…
…spreading to unexpected corners
Indoor street art!
A large slice of Shoreditch has opened next to East Croydon Station, in the form of a Boxpark.
Part of the palace I mentioned earlier. Formerly home to bishops, now a school.
A Tudor Gateway, another unexpected find.
The Minster
Pinnacle Apartments, Saffron Square
The Whitgift Almshouses
Town Hall