Is Croydon a good place to stay in London?

Croydon is a large town in south London, about 15 minutes from London Bridge and Victoria by fast train from East Croydon station. People don't usually stay here for the neighbourhood itself, but it can be a smart base if you want to save money or have an early flight from Gatwick.

The area around the station is modern and practical: office towers, two shopping centres, chain hotels and plenty of places to eat, from the food stalls at Boxpark next to the station to the independent restaurants along South End. Trams run out to Wimbledon and Beckenham, and Surrey Street Market has been trading for centuries.

The downside is that you're not in the centre. Most days start and end with a train ride, evenings are much quieter than in town, and getting back late from the West End means checking the last fast train or taking a long night bus. Away from the station it can feel less polished than the parts of London visitors usually see.

What makes Croydon worth considering is value. Rooms cost a fraction of central prices, and because the trains are fast and frequent, a hotel near East Croydon can get you into central London quicker than many places that look closer on the map.