Discover the extraordinary
architecture
of Croydon
Join Open City for a socially-distanced walking tour exploring the fascinating and visionary architecture of Croydon
This walking tour — led by local resident and historian Dr Katrina Navickas — explores the architecture of central Croydon. Croydon town centre has been reimagined, replanned and rebuilt perhaps more than any other London borough.
Presented as a journey through architectural styles and major moments of bold construction — this engaging and accessible circular tour traces the historic development of Croydon’s town centre from early Edwardian civic pride, 1950s space age optimism and the 1960s high-rise boom, to current redevelopments taking the skyline to new heights.
Tour highlights include iconic examples of space-age architecture such as Richard Seifert and Partners' Number One Croydon and an exploration of the town centre’s many un-built utopian reconstruction plans. These large-scale and landmark visions are contrasted with the leafy suburban 1960s Modernist homes of Park Hill — featuring the ‘Swiss living’-inspired St Bernards by Atelier 5 for Wates — as well as other mid-century architectural favourites and hidden gems.
Providing a safe and fun way for enthusiastic urbanists to explore the city this walking tour is part of a new series responding to the core themes of the Open House festival and wider Open City programme.
Using live audio and image sharing, participants will use their smart phones to discover the extraordinary stories behind Croydons town centre.
Meet: On the steps outside Boxpark, George Street (next to East Croydon station main entrance CR0 1LF). Tour duration 2 hours approx and 4.1km /2.5 miles. Tour ends back at East Croydon Station. Note: part of the path in Park Hill Park is uneven/unpaved and some busy roads along the route.
Cost: £14.50 / £9.50 concessions. (students/unemployed/furloughed).
This is an in person tour led by your guide who is with you for the duration of the tour. Participants must bring a fully charged smart phone with internet connection, have downloaded Zoom in advance of the tour, bring headphones; and remember to stay at least two metres apart from each other where required. Zoom joining info will be sent out to all bookers a day or so before the tour. Tickets are non refundable. Get in touch with Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
You can purchase a Pocket London printed Croydon tour here
Meet the tour guide…
Dr Katrina Navickas is a historian and academic. Originally from Rochdale, Katrina has lived in Croydon since 2012. She wrote the Croydon chapter in the Alternative Guide to London Boroughs and the Open City Pocket London printed tour guide of Croydon. She also writes for The Modernist magazine on the topic of street furniture, so may well point out Lucy electrical boxes and interesting bins en route. Katrina joined the Open City team in July 2021.