Things to do in Croydon
9 great things to do in and around Croydon when the sun comes out
Get outside and make the most of the sunshine while it is here
Deborah Morris
After what felt like an extremely long winter, the sun is finally out and many of us will be itching to get outside and bask in it.
Who knows how long it will hang around for before the next rainy spell? But while it is here we all should make the most of it.
Perhaps you long to escape to the countryside or beach. Maybe your children are desperate to shrug off their winter coats and enjoy some warmer weather. Or perhaps all you want to do is laze around in the park.
Here are nine great things to do in and not far from Croydon when the sun comes out.
Visit a country pub
The White Bear at Fickleshole is just a couple of miles from New Addington and has a great garden (Image: Grant Melton)
Be honest, when the sun comes out and the temperature rises, you're probably gazing wistfully out the office window wishing you were in a peaceful pub garden somewhere.
Yes, a nice cool pint, glass of wine or maybe a mocktail or non-alcoholic beer in a sun-filled garden with the birds singing in the background probably sounds ideal.
And you don't have to travel far from Croydon to find an idyllic country pub garden.
The White Bear at Fickleshole is hidden down a country lane only a couple of miles from Selsdon, Forestdale and New Addington. It has a large garden and terrace with picnic tables in the sun and shade under the wooden gazebo.
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Or you could while away the evening and watch a stunning sunset at historic Botley Hill Farmhouse in Warlingham, with its stunning views at the highest point of the North Downs.
If you have a little more time to spare at the weekend you might want to head deeper into Surrey.
For those with kids, the Dog and Duck in Outwood has a fantastic children's play area in its huge garden.
The Compasses Inn in the village of Gomshall has a river running by it where children like to paddle and adults like to sit near to.
Search out this secret beach – which is nowhere near the sea
Frensham Great Pond is like a seaside resort
Shhh, don't tell anyone but hidden away in deepest leafy Surrey is a sandy beach which in every way resembles a seaside resort but is miles away from the coast.
This is Frensham Great Pond, just south of Farnham - and jump in the car and you could be there in little over an hour.
Day trippers flock there when the weather warms up to enjoy a dip in the waters, build sandcastles, enjoy picnics and tuck into ice creams.
You can read more about it, including how to get there, here and read about more secret beaches here.
Head to the coast and a beach in Sussex or Kent
When the heat is on it's time to cool off on the beach.
Probably the nearest and most popular one to Croydon is Brighton beach. You can pull up a deckchair on the pebbles, enjoy the fun of the fair on the pier, browse the cute shops in The Lanes and find a fab restaurant or pub.
You could always try the slightly more sedate resort of Eastbourne or head further west to Hastings.
Those prepared for a bit of a longer drive might like to visit the quaint fishing and harbour town of Whitstable in Kent to try some of its oysters.
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The secret beach not far from Croydon
Kent is blessed with beautiful and lesser-known beaches and one of these is the Blue Flag sandy beach of Botany Bay. Hidden behind residential streets on the way to Broadstairs, the unspoiled bay is surrounded by white chalk stacks.
You can read more about the beaches nearest to Croydon here and discover more fabulous beaches in Sussex and Kent here.
Set off on a beautiful walk in stunning countryside just a stones through from town
You can escape urban life by exploring Happy Valley (Image: David Cook)
You don't have to leave the busy town centre far behind to discover beautiful countryside on a scenic walk.
Right on our doorstep is the chalk downland beauty spot, Happy Valley and Farthing Downs.
You can follow the posts on the Happy Valley and Farthing Downs Nature Trail – there is a guide you can download at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk.
The walk starts at Farthing Downs car park and nearby you will come across views to New Hill and along Happy Valley. Further along you'll be able to soak up views of London.
If you need a bit of shade then how about a walk in Selsdon Wood? Those who want to learn about the woods can take a guided walk, which are organised regularly and listed on the website www.friendsofselsdonwood.co.uk.
You could explore the paths around the 125-acre South Norwood Country Park and discover the wildlife living on the lakes, wetlands and meadows.
If you walk up to the viewpoint at Addington Hills, you'll be able to take in views of The Shard, The Gherkin and Canary Wharf and on clear days maybe a glimpse of Wembley Stadium.
Those prepared to drive a little further out can discover the beauty of the Surrey Hills and famous National Trust beauty spots such as Box Hill and Leith Hill with glorious views towards the South Downs.
There are some more suggestions for things to do here.
And you can find out about more National Trust properties not far from Croydon here.
Go sailing at South Norwood Country Park
We are miles away from the sea but you can have a sailing lesson (Image: David Berman)
We might be miles from the sea but you can still go sailing.
Croydon Sailing Club based at South Norwood Lake is holding its Push the Boat Out annual taster day on Sunday, May 13 from 11am to 3pm when members will take people out on the water for a sail lasting about 40 minutes.
All the club asks for is a £10 contribution for each group in a boat for their session on the water.
The club also has beginners' sailing courses. At the time of writing there were still spaces for the bank holiday weekend of Sunday, May 6 and Monday, May 7 and the club is planning another adult course for July.
The cost includes a six month temporary membership so you can go back and practice after.
There is also a children's beginner course for eight to 14-year-olds being held during the half term holidays on Thursday, May 31 and Friday, June 1.
If you don't have very strong sea legs you can head along to watch the boats racing on Sundays between 11am and 1pm. People – including of course children - love to walk around the lake and watch the fast sailing and take photos. When the winds get up it becomes even more exciting with boats sometimes capsizing.
If you are interested in joining a course you can email secretary@croydonsailingclub.co.uk.
You can find out more and keep up to date with what's on at www.croydonsailingclub.co.uk.
Hone your skills at the BMX track in Norbury or the new skate park in Crystal Palace Park
You can test out your BMX skills at the new track in Norbury Park (Image: Croydon Borough Council)
You don't have to be a kid to have fun on a BMX, skateboard or scooter.
Perhaps it's time to get back to your youth and visit BMX track which opened in Norbury Park in August 2017 or the new skatepark which opened in Crystal Palace Park in March 2018.
But if you're not keen, your kids might be - how about taking your littlest ones along to one of Corydon's skate parks to potter about on their scooters while big kids are at school?
The Norbury Park BMX track includes challenging straights and tight, banked hairpin bends which make for exhilarating riding and a great track for watching the skills of other riders.
The new skatepark in Crystal Palace Park has a range of terrains for BMX, quad-skating, rollerblading, scootering and skateboarding.
It includes a cloverleaf pool (if you're into skating you'll know what that is) for those with more advanced skills and a mellow section for those of all abilities.
A jam event is being planned for August 25, 2018 to formally celebrate its opening. You can find out more at www.friendscrystalpalaceskatepark.wordpress.com.
Get your mates or the family together for a game of disc golf in Lloyd Park
You can get your friends together for a game of disc golf in Lloyd Park (Image: Ian Stratton)
This is the same idea as normal golf except you have to get the discs into the net.
Croydon Disc Golf Club plays at the 18-hole course but if that sounds like too long a game there is a beginners' nine hole course too.
You can turn up to the course and play for free – just bring your own Frisbee-style disc from home with you. But you might find the regular Frisbee-style discs you have at home aren't as suitable for the game as the proper equipment – you can hire proper disc golf discs for £2 plus an £8 refundable deposit, from the café, which is open from 9am to 5pm each day.
You really need a disc for each person you're playing with because it will probably get frustrating sharing one between four. The café also has maps of the course.
There are free beginners sessions at 10am on Sundays, organised by the club on request – you can email rich@croydondiscgolf.com if you are interested.
Croydon Disc Golf Club will be getting involved with National Disc Golf Day in August.
To find out more and download a map of the course you can visit www.croydondiscgolf.com.
Stroll through fields of lavender
Mayfield Lavender Farm is stunning when in full bloom (Image: Grant Melton)
Each summer a sweet scantly lush purple haze sweeps across countryside in Woodmansterne near Banstead.
Under blue skies on a sunny day you might even think you are in Provence.
But this is Mayfield Lavender Farm in Carshalton Road with its 25 acres of fragrant flower-filled fields.
The farm is due to open to the public on Friday, June 1, allowing us to wander through its carpet of beautiful organic lavender.
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The lavender normally starts to bloom towards the end of June and is at its peak in July and August.
It provides the perfect setting for some stunning photos and you can take a tractor trailer ride around the farm (£2 each) and even host a party in a gazeebo in the middle of the lavender farm.
There is a café and you could have a lavender cream tea or lavender cider.
The weather can influence the flowering season so check before you visit.
Mayfield Lavender Farm will be open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm (which can vary at the start and end of season) and entry is £2 per person and free to children under 16.
You are not allowed to pick the lavender on the farm itself but there is a nursery and a shop selling bunches and lavender products.
The shop is open all year round (except a period over Christmas and New Year).
You can check shop opening days and times and keep up to date with news at the farm at www.mayfieldlavender.com.
You could call into a country pub in the area and you will find suggestions for pubs in Surrey, Sussex and Kent and the attractions near them here.
Sunbathe in a Croydon park
When the sun comes out you can't beat lazing around in a park (Image: Danny Fitzpatrick)
There is certainly no shortage of lovely parks in Croydon each with its own identity and appeal and you are sure to find that perfect spot for lazing around in the sun or having fun with friends and family for free.
At Lloyd Park in Coombe Road you can have something to eat at ParkLife Community Café. As well as the Disc Golf course mentioned above, it has a a playground, outdoor gym, a small pond, and football pitches for hire.
On the weekend of July 28 and 29 Lloyd Park will be the location of a house and techno festival.
You'll find plenty of events going on at the Green Flag Award-winning Wandle Park throughout the year - bat walks to poetry, theatre and live music on the bandstand have all taken place there.
A stroll alongside the River Wandle and the water trickling under a Victorian bridge as ducks swim by is sure to relax you and the park pond is full of life. There is an exciting play area for children and skate park.
Another beautiful Green Flag Award-winning park perfect for lazing around in on a summer's day is Coombe Wood.
With a pond and waterfall as well as woodland, ornamental gardens and a giant staircase, it is a scenic spot for a picnic.
You can read more about great playgrounds in Croydon here.
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