5 (and a half) superb summer day trips from Croydon
All easy train rides, one walkable
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Summer is finally here—in the sense of the summer holidays AND the weather. So this week, I’ve thrown together some day trip suggestions for places that can all be easily reached by train from Croydon, and which I’ve been to in the last year (and in most cases, far more recently). The last entry on this list is a cheeky little bonus, but one which I’m sure parents with young kids will appreciate—and there’s no train trip required!
Lewes
Time on train from East Croydon: 46 minutes
Lewes in a nutshell: A stunning little East Sussex town stuffed with characterful pubs and antique shops—and a Norman castle presiding over the whole lot. Famous for its once yearly Hadean bonfire night where they burn effigies of politicians, although in a seriously Wicker Man-esque twist, trains to and from London are banned for the night.
What to do? Scale up the steep staircase to Lewes Castle, and admire vistas of the Sussex landscape. Cool off in the Pells Pool lido. Buy bargain books from the Fifteenth Century Bookshop (I’ve been twice now, and came away both times with a small stack of books under my arm—it’s an eclectic mix of titles and they really are very fairly priced). Get lost in the Lewes Flea Market. Travel back to Tudor times at Anne of Cleves House. Order a local beer, speaking of which…
Top tip: Go to the famous Harvey’s brewery taproom, the John Harvery Tavern, by all means. You won’t find a bigger selection of Harvey’s anywhere else in the world. But don’t neglect two other Lewes breweries: ABYSS and Beak. Beak in particularly brews god tier craft beer, and its taproom sits across from a huge slab of chalky cliff.
Brighton
Time on train from East Croydon: 55 minutes
Brighton in a nutshell: The grand dame of London day trips—and a shoo-in if you’re in Croydon. An 18th century dissertation on the benefits of bathing in (and drinking) seawater transformed Brighton’s fortunes/image—and with a little help from the Prince Regent, who liked to holiday/get wrecked here, turned it into a resort that’s been fashionable pretty much ever since.
What to do? Marvel at probably the best thing the Prince Regent/George IV ever did: the Royal Pavilion. Get a crab sandwich overlooking the beach at Brighton Smokehouse. Watch the train sets rattle around in the Brighton Toy and Model Museum. Go for a ride along the promenade on the charming Volk's Electric Railway. Take a dip in the Sea Lanes lido. Mooch around the Lanes, then do a spot of vintage clothes shopping in the North Laine Bazaar and many surrounding outlets. Party in one of the LGBTQ+ clubs.
Top tip: If you’re heading to Brighton on a sunny weekend, catch an early train from East Croydon. I’ve recently had to watch trains come and go without being able to squeeze on them. Apparently Brighton doesn’t fall into the ‘hidden gem’ category.
Arundel
Time on train from East Croydon: 1 hour 9 minutes
Arundel in a nutshell: A rambling fairytale castle announces your arrival at Arundel, as if you’ve just pulled up into some JK Rowling theme park, and if that doesn’t do it, the hoards of young Americans surely will.