Historic Croydon
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Croydon from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover Croydon's listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Croydon's most significant historic sites, curated from the National Heritage List for England.
Diving stage at former Purley Way Lido
Croydon
Diving stage, 1935, designed by CE Boast for the County Borough of Croydon. Read the official list entry to find out more.
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.
Airport House
Croydon
Integrated airport terminal building and control tower, 1926-28 by the Air Ministry Department of Buildings and Works.
Former Auxiliary Fire Service Drill Tower
Croydon
A former Auxiliary Fire Service drill tower of around 1939.
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...
Surrey Iron Railway embankment, approximately 130m south west of Lion Green Road, Coulsdon
Croydon
Railways evolved rapidly from the late-C18 to the 1830s.
Wrencote
Croydon
Wrencote, 123 High Street, Croydon, a late C17 or early C18 town house, possibly designed by Henry Joynes, is listed at Grade II for the following...
Circular Drinking Trough in Norbury Park
Croydon
Circular drinking trough, 1882, of granite construction, situated at the north of Norbury Park. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Whitehorse Manor School War Memorial
Croydon
A Portland stone pillar war memorial, located in the grounds of Whitehorse Manor School.
Group of seven World War II fighter pens at the former airfield of RAF Kenley
Croydon
The importance of defending airfields against attack was realised before the outbreak of World War II and a strategy evolved as the war went on.
Group of four World War II fighter pens at the former airfield of RAF Kenley
Croydon
The importance of defending airfields against attack was realised before the outbreak of World War II and a strategy evolved as the war went on.
Croham Hurst round barrow
Croydon
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Croydon War Memorial
Croydon
Croydon Cenotaph, designed by James Burford in 1921, and with sculpture by Paul Raphael Montford, is listed at Grade II for the following principal...
Coulsdon War Memorial, Memorial Recreation Ground
Croydon
Coulsdon War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Architectural interest: an elegant and striking Classical portico...
War Memorial at Westow Street
Croydon
First and Second World War memorial in the form of a stone pillar on a pedestal.
War Memorial at the Church of All Saints
Croydon
The War Memorial at All Saints Church, Upper Norwood is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Group value: with the Church of All...
War Memorial at St John the Evangelist Church, Upper Norwood
Croydon
First World War Memorial in the form of a gabled Calvary.
Addington War Memorial
Croydon
First and Second World War Memorial in the form of a stone cross. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Sanderstead War Memorial
Croydon
Sanderstead War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Group value: with the Grade I listed All Saints Church.
Old Coulsdon War Memorial
Croydon
War memorial in the form of a tall Portland stone cross on a plinth. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Whitgift School War Memorial
Croydon
Hopton Wood stone war memorial cross, with additional stone mural, in the grounds of Whitgift School.
War Memorial at the Church of St Alban the Martyr
Croydon
First World War memorial in the form of a granite cross, unveiled in 1923. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Woodcote War Memorial
Croydon
Woodcote War Memorial is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Design: as a simple yet dignified stone pillar war memorial.
War Memorial at the Church of St Andrew
Croydon
War memorial in the form of a stone Celtic cross. Read the official list entry to find out more.
War Memorial at Croydon Minster
Croydon
The War Memorial at Croydon Minster, formerly known as the Church of St John the Baptist Church, is listed at Grade II for the following principal...
Woodside War Memorial
Croydon
Woodside War Memorial is listied at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Design: as an imposing Portland stone cross war memorial in a...
Selhurst War Memorial
Croydon
War memorial in the form of a stone Celtic cross. Read the official list entry to find out more.
War Memorial at the Church of Holy Innocents
Croydon
First World War memorial in the form of a stone Celtic cross, unveiled in 1922. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Purley United Reformed Church, Formerly Purley Congregational Church
Croydon
United Reformed Church 1904 by Hampden Pratt F.R.I.B.A., with early-C20 alterations by T. Arthur Lewis. Hall, 1912 by T.
Promenade de Verdun Memorial Landscape
Croydon
The Promenade de Verdun, a First World War memorial landscape executed in 1922, is registered at Grade II for the following principal reasons:...
Promenade de Verdun War Memorial
Croydon
First World War memorial set within the Promenade de Verdun war memorial landscape. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Regular aggregate field system, associated trackway and Anglo-Saxon barrow field on Farthing Downs, 490m east of Hooley Farm
Croydon
Regular aggregate field systems date from the Bronze Age (2000-700 BC) to the end of the fifth century AD.
St John the Baptist's Church gateway, Howley Road
Croydon
Stone archways are frequently large, freestanding structures that are monumental in form.
Historic Croydon through time
The National Heritage List for England contains hundreds of details about buildings and places, including the periods in which they were built and the uses they've had over the years. Explore how your local area has changed through time.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion and the introduction of writing. Primarily hunter-gatherers of several human species including Neanderthals, the peoples moved across Europe, hunting animals, exchanging ideas and developing complex culture and belief systems including burial rites and astronomical understanding, as at Stonehenge for example.
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 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 permanantly 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 and the introduction of writing. Primarily hunter-gatherers of several human species including Neanderthals, the peoples moved across Europe, hunting animals, exchanging ideas and developing complex culture and belief systems including burial rites and astronomical understanding, as at Stonehenge for example.
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 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 permanantly 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
Historic aerial photography shows the growth and changes in England's urban and rural landscapes, revealing secrets 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
Historic England Archive images of Croydon
The Historic England Archive holds and cares for over 15 million images, from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Croydon's past.
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: 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
John Gay Collection: Railway Stations
Croydon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1960 - 1972
View of platforms 2 and 3 at Selhurst Station, looking over the stairs that descend between the platforms, and showing the inside of the platforms'...
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
John Gay Collection: Modern Architects
Croydon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1980
Inside the IBM building in Croydon showing a waiting area outside the 'Punch Room', in which programmes are transferred onto punched card which can...
John Laing Collection
Croydon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 09 Sep 1966
An elevated view of an Easiform housing estate in Croydon showing rows of houses and gardens
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Addiscombe, Croydon, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1901 - 1906
GENERAL VIEW
Stories about heritage in Croydon
Historic England publishes news, blogs, videos and podcasts celebrating England's heritage. Discover the stories we have about Croydon.
The Extraordinary Story of Pioneering Aviator Amy Johnson
Mentions Croydon
Amy Johnson became a living legend after becoming the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. Here we look at her extraordinary story.
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.
10 Exceptional First World War Memorials
Mentions Croydon, Croydon War Memorial
These are some of the most outstanding memorials to those who died during the First World War.
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.
Explore your 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 heritage in 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
