A visit to Croydon Airport
Croydon has had a very reputation for many people: a dangerous place in London when they heard the news. But in fact Croydon is more than that, especially when there was once an airport: Croydon Airport.
It was the first airport in London but it didn’t stop here, as it had the world’s first air traffic control tower, airport terminal and airport hotel. It started operating from 1920s until 1959 when it couldn’t be further developed and thus was replaced by Heathrow and Gatwick.
As the terminal building has become Grade II* listed, it is difficult to be demolished. It is currently open to the public within the business hours of a cafe inside the terminal during weekdays, and the first Sunday of every month in terms of guided tours which needs to be booked in advance online.
Lots of interesting history of more than the airport
What makes the trip to Croydon Airport is more than the fact that “Croydon had an airport” as there are a lot of histories about aviation, flying experiences and females.
Airport architecture
Technology of aviation
The world’s first control tower
The design of the planes and their interiors, including the seats, before the ages of Boeing and Airbus
What flying was like in the past
What kinds of people could fly?
Why weren’t any car parks at the airport?
How much did it cost?
How long did it take from London to Australia?
Female aviators especially Amy Johnson
A hundred year ago, air travel is luxurious and not many people were able to afford such a high price and time. Thousands of people in the last century compared to 9 million passengers in Heathrow annually.
The guided tour took more than an hour, led by volunteers who professionally brought us to the old days of aviation with delivery of a lot of valuable and interesting information. At the end of the tour, we were shown a video made by them in 2021, showcasing the flying experiences from arriving at the terminal, to check-in and checking weather conditions through the weather board, to boarding the plane. The video is not imaginary, but according to enormous historical materials they have already collected! Great job!
We were allowed to stay as long as we wanted within the opening hours of the day, if we loved to visit the museum and displays for more information, or enjoyed a cuppa with snacks in the terminal hall, or bought some souvenirs — a lot of good books there including the reprinted version of guided books of the airport and the hotel, and the history of the airport. I saw a father with two daughters ending up purchasing almost £100 in total, with 5 to 10 books for everyone! I was interested in a book with the illustration of the past flying experiences to oriental countries, and the one written by the trust.
The airport is open for tour booking two weeks in advance, so check the website in the middle of the month if you are interested in visiting. I am one of the visitors who highly recommend this place. A hidden gem with interesting history that is worth understanding!
Croydon Airport
Address: Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon CR0 0XZ
Transport:
Take Southern Railway train in London Bridge to Waddon station with 15-minute walk
Bus 119 from East Croydon train station, or 289 from Elmers End (Southeastern) and West Croydon (Overground) station
