Inventory Site Record

South Croydon developed in the C19th largely as a result of the railway and in 1888 Croydon Corporation sought to provide recreation facilities to serve the growing population. Originally referred to as 'Brighton Road Recreation Ground', the site that is now South Croydon Recreation Ground was purchased in 1889 and opened to the public in 1895. There was once a bandstand, and cricket and football were played here. Little of the C19th fabric remains today, although there are beech, plane and lime trees along the north boundary, and a tree-lined walk along the railway embankment.

Site location:

Sanderstead Road/Brantwood Road, South Croydon

Postcode:

CR2 6EX

What 3 Words:

translated.lions.wacky

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Croydon

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

8am Mon-Fri/9am weekends - dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Playground

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Sanderstead, Purley Oaks. Bus: 403

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Research updated:

01/04/2010

Last minor changes:

29/03/2026

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.croydon.gov.uk

The area of South Croydon developed in the C19th largely as a result of the railway and in 1888 Croydon Corporation, which had been established in 1883, sought to provide recreation facilities to serve its growing population. The Borough Road Surveyor drew up plans for what was then referred to as 'Brighton Road Recreation Ground' and the site that is now South Croydon Recreation Ground was purchased in 1889. It was laid out at a cost of £2,552, although the Borough Road Surveyor's initial estimate had been £572 2s. The new park opened to the public in 1895 and had facilities for sport such as cricket and football and also a bandstand, which was located opposite the end of Wyche Road. The bandstand has since gone and little of the C19th fabric remains today, although there are remnants of earlier planting of beech, plane and lime trees along the north boundary, and a tree-lined walk along the railway embankment. Today it largely comprises open grass, bounded by Sanderstead Road and the railway.

Sources consulted:

Winterman, M A, Croydon's parks: an illustrated history (LB Croydon, 1988), p92.

Grid ref:

TQ325628 (532572,162883)

Size in hectares:

3.44

Site ownership:

LB Croydon

Site management:

Parks and Open Spaces

Date(s):

1889

Designer(s):

Borough Road Surveyor

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Local Open Land