8 ways to get autumn feels in and around Croydon
Pumpkin picking, horror films and a walnut fair
Welcome back to Londonist: Croydon Edit. Piloted by Londonist editor and Croydonian Will Noble, it's about all things in the borough of Croydon. This post’s for everyone, but a reminder that paid subscribers get extras perks including an exclusive post every other week, plus the monthly Cronxicles roundup, giving you the skinny on what’s new in Croydon, and what’s happening in the month ahead.
1. Crunch through the foliage in one of Croydon’s woods
The leaves are turning in the Croydon countryside, so now’s the time to get out into Croham Hurst Woods, Littleheath Woods or Selsdon Wood to feel the crunch of leaves underfoot. I’d also recommend (if you’re so inclined) rounding off any autumnal amble with a stout/porter at the Golden Ark micropub in Selsdon, handily positioned slap bang in the middle of the three aforementioned woods. And by the way, if you’re on the hunt for conkers, I’ve seen plenty in Wandle Park. Here are a few other Croydon spots to find them.
2. Visit Croydon Harvest and Walnut Fair
When is it autumn in Croydon? When a five-metre-tall fox called Plucky bombs into town on scooter, apparently. That’s what’s going down for Croydon Harvest (Sat 5 and Sun 6 October), a rustic-sounding extravaganza which also promises craft activities (such as puppet making and Ukrainian head wreath crafting), dance performances from around the globe, a ‘Museum of Memorable Trees’, The Poetry Machine (aka a poet called Beth armed with a typewriter) and nods to Croydon’s Walnut Fair, including ‘miniature worlds in walnuts’ at Pollock’s Toy Museum. The fair dates back to the 14th century, but was halted in Victorian times due to rambunctiousness and some serious health and safety concerns. Let’s all behave this time around.
3. Pick pumpkins at Priory Farm
One of the best PYO pumpkin farms in Greater London’s orbit can be reached from central Croydon in circa 40 minutes (car or public transport). Priory Farm near Redhill invites you to go gourd-plucking in its fields, with bolt-ons including tractor rides, and a Halloween trail. There’s a farm shop, cafe, gift barn and garden centre, so you could probably make this one into an autumnal day trip.
4. Munch the Halloween treats at Coughlans
Croydon’s family bakery, Coughlans, is particularly good at dreaming up seasonal treats; the Halloween season has previously seen edible hijinks including spiced pumpkin doughnuts, jack 'o’ lantern cookies and pumpkin-headed gingerbread men. No doubt they’ll be having just as much fun this year, so skip Greggs, and visit one of Coughlans’ many local branches instead.
5. Drink in the harvest spirit at Denbies
You can get to the Denbies wine estate in Dorking from East Croydon station in an hour, and there’s a perfect excuse to go this month, courtesy of the Harvest Secret Vineyard Trail on Friday 18 October. Spend the day wandering around the estate, exploring parts that are normally off-limits to the public, learning about the grape harvest, and tasting wines from the tank. It’s basically harvest festival for adults.
6. Watch a Halloween horror film at the David Lean
On 31 October itself, the David Lean cinema screens Late Night With the Devil—a 2023 horror film, in which 1970s late-night talk show host Jack Delroy tries to revive his show Night Owls with a occult-themed Halloween episode, only to wind up unleashing evil into the nation's living rooms (we’ve all been there). It’s been described at ‘Rosemary’s Baby meets Network’, and you’ll definitely want to make use of the cinema’s bar beforehand…
7. Celebrate Homoween at Their Majesties
“It’s Halloween but GAY!” An alternative way to spend your Halloween is with Their Majesties at the Oval Tavern, where the ‘Homoween III’ special promises a slew of acts with a scary twist. It’s Black History Month too, and Purrsia Kitt (aka the kinky feline goddess of burlesque) will be in the house to salute it.
8. Spend an explosive night in Beckenham
No major fireworks in Croydon itself, but Croydon Road Recreation Ground in Beckenham hosts its annual display again. An adult ticket these days sets you back almost £16—not cheap, admittedly, although I’ve been the last couple of years and you can see where your money’s going i.e. up in smoke/flames/gunpowder/spectacular fashion. I’ve always wanted to go to the firework shenanigans in Lewes (which look like something straight out of a vintage horror flick), but although trains from East Croydon only take 45 minutes, they stop running after 3pm on 5 November, meaning you’re essentially trapped in Lewes. Now that really is like a horror film.
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