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Spotlight: Croydon Summer Guide 2016

Written by: LoveCroydonJobs.com
Published on: 19 May 2016

Thinking about relocating to Croydon this summer? From the best places to relax after work, the top areas to visit at the weekend, and the event tickets to book, let LoveLocalJobs.com be your summer guide to Croydon. 

Top places to spend an evening

Explore Croydon, make friends, and have a laugh after work; here are top places to head to this summer:

  • The Spread Eagle - This palatial pub along Katherine Street is well worth a visit for its stream of live sport fixtures, food and drink and outside tables during the summer months. Originally built as a bank, the pub is known as a Croydon playhouse - showcasing, films, theatre and comedy shows.
  • The GlamorganReceive a warm welcome at The Glamorgan, with real ales, and fresh food. If you’re out with work mates, there is a pool table inside and a great garden in the back to while away the hours. We recommend eating a towering burger or tapas to kick-start your evening.
  • The Builders Arms - The Builders Arms’ attractive front is matched by its welcoming, traditional atmosphere inside. If you’re a pub quiz fan, you’ll love this venue along Leslie Park Road, with Sunday roasts that will finish the weekend off nicely.
  • Bar Txt - This young, quirky bar has a long list of cocktails and opportunities to socialise with new friends in the area: from mixology masterclasses to ping-pong sessions. Visit its Instagram page to get a flavour of weekly goings-on.

Ways to spend a weekend if you’re a Croydon resident

  • The Whitgift Shopping Centre - If your fridge is empty after a long week at work, and your clothes seem to be in the wash, pop down to The Whitgift Centre during the week to pick up your bits and bobs. The centre is open until 7pm every Saturday and 5pm every Sunday. Click here to view its range of upcoming events, and store listings. 
  • Lazy summer days in a parkCroydon has a huge number of parks that are perfect for the summer - the town was voted the UK’s greenest large city in 2009 by the Royal Horticultural Society. Find a great green space within the capital by clicking through to this A-Z list of outdoor spaces in the area.
  • A trip to the theatre - Fairfield Halls has been at the centre of Croydon culture for 50 years. Since the Queen Mother opened the building in 1962, Fairfield has played host to local and international acts from the worlds of music, comedy and theatre. Check out its latest line up of events to plan your weekend visit.
  • Tour the local restaurants - It’s easy to eat your way around the world in this eclectic corner of London. From modern Indian eateries to Mediterranean meze, there’s a place for all tastes. If you’re in the mood for some entertainment with your meal, attend a live music night at the Little Bay restaurant on a Wednesday or Saturday.
  • Jump on a train to explore the city on your doorstep - You’ll never be short of things to do in the cosmopolitan city of London. The average journey time from West Croydon to London Victoria is 34 minutes, while the same journey from East Croydon is just 19 minutes.

5 tickets to book

  • ‘Short Sharp Shock’ - British artist, Jamie Reid, returns to Croydon for his usual dose of anarchism for his new exhibition: ‘Short Sharp Shock’ at the RISE Gallery. The South Londoner has featured regularly on the Croydon circuit, both for his artwork and activism. Visitors to the gallery from 19th May to 4th June will be able to view never before seen works, original illustrations, and many more iconic, graphic collections.
  • Purley’s first ever Craft Beer Festival - Get your tickets now to Purley’s first ever Craft Beer Festival, hosted by the Brothers at Crafty Beer Fests. Two days of fun and frolics will grace Brighton Road on 3rd and 4th June, with top brewers in attendance, including Beavertown, Gipsy Hill Brewing Company and Croydon’s home-grown Cronx Brewery.
  • Croydon Performing Arts Festival - It’s not too late to experience a class, workshop or show as part of the long-running Croydon Performing Arts Festival from 22nd April to 22nd June. Venues hosting a variety of dance and music performances from now until the end of the festival include Fairfield Halls and Croydon Minster. Click here for more information.
  • Croydon Food Festival - This year’s Croydon Food Festival is a real testament to community spirit in the area. The event - scheduled for 26th June - was on the verge of cancellation until local developer Craig Marks, chief executive of Menta, stepped in to fund the annual highlight. Businesses from Croydon’s Restaurant Quarter will be showcasing their plates of choice and plenty of locals will be in attendance, so make a note and get involved!
  • Rob Beckett: Mouth of the South - Beckett is back at the Fairfield Halls on 26 May with a new line-up of gags on the biggest issues of our times, like KitKats and flatbread. He has been described by The Guardian as a 'relentlessly smiley, perpetually grinning Londoner’ and expectations are high ahead of the gig. Book quickly to secure one of the last remaining seats.  
  • London’s smallest festival – possibly - In a charmingly quirky display of British rogues taking on the status quo, the South Norwood Tourist Board have staged a festival in one of Croydon’s smallest parks to take on the British festival staple, Glastonbury on 24th June. A full line up will be announced in due course for the event along Coniston Road, which we are predicting will bring in the punters this summer.

We hope that we’ve given you an insight into what you can see and do this summer in Croydon. If you’re looking to join the action but haven’t set up roots, our Croydon job boards are on hand to connect you with the latest opportunities in the area.

Click here to search the latest job opportunities in Croydon