Nostalgic memories of Croydon's local history
Share your own memories of Croydon and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying Memories 231 - 240 of 243 in total
What an unexpected pleasure it was stumbling quite by accident upon this website this evening! I was born in Croydon in 1948 and lived in West Croydon till 1955. I have very vivid memories of the high street, even of being 'bumped' down the Surrey Street steps in a push chair! My very first memory in fact.. Siselys sweet shop was at the top of Oakfield Road, where I lived ... and a visit there after a shopping trip ...see more
I remember beautiful Waddon ponds with its ducks, and coots and swans, and cycling around the park. I also remember the trolley buses that went up to Croydon, and going to Kennards, and the ponies and the arcade, I still dream of it even now, and the Walls ice cream factory in Purley Way with the ice cream machine outside, and the sound of the factory hooters and the sound of the aeroplanes. I think they ...see more
I was born in Cuthbert Road, West Croydon, next to Pitlake Bridge, and have a vivid memory of when the manholes on the bridge exploded. Wandle Park was our playground, and a fairground or circus had its winter storage next to the park. I was christened in St Edmund's Church which was also next to Wandle Park, but I think must have been demolished. On the two corners of Westfield Road, where it met Cuthbert, were two ...see more
Through WW2 we lived in Stanley Road, number 73, at that time an off-licence which my mother ran whilst my father was serving in the RAF. I went to Boston Road school and remember we had small boxes of emergency rations in case we were trapped in the school by an air raid. We were bombed out in 1944 by a V1 that hit further up the road and severely damaged no 73, for a time we lived with relatives in the ...see more
I came across this website by accident, what a treat. I was raised in Croydon, actually Addington. My nana and granddad lived at 195 Purley Way in Wadden. I spent many happy hours there as a child. I would spend several weeks with my grandparents just before Christmas every year while my mom worked at the post office in Croydon for extra Christmas money, my dad was a postman there for many years. One thing in ...see more
I was born on Clyde Road in 1950, and in 1954 moved to Caterbury Road in West Croydon, where I attended school Elmwood, and then Lambfrank (spelling?). Mr Reeves was a teacher at Elmwood, and always answered anything he didn't like with a WHACK on the bottom from one of many different shoes that he kept for punishment (depending on how much punishment he wanted to inflict that day). But the good thing about him was ...see more
I was a pupil at the school from 1943 to 1948 from the age of 10. I used to travel there from Norbury on the tram, having won a Scholarship from Norbury Manor School. I came from a typically working class background and to be fortunate enough to attend this school was a considerable advantage. Mr. Clayton was Headmaster, with the imposing Dr. Shutt his deputy. It was wartime of course, and many morning assemblies ...see more
Hi On finding your memories pages I simply had to add my own contribution as my memories of Croydon and area are so dear to me. My grandparents lived in Waddon, just off the Purley Way, and I visited regularly on holiday, when my Grandad (Grampy) a city commutor took me everywhere. I remember Kennards so clearly and with great pleasure, the arcade running down the hill outside the store, with its baby rabbits, ...see more
I grew up in Galpins Road, Thornton Heath and as a youngster joined the ABC Minors at the Rex Cinema, Norbury sadly now demolished and replaced by an office block. I saw many of the MGM Musicals at the Rex, including Singing in the Rain. I also used to go to The State Cinema, Thornton Heath later to become The Granada. Here I saw many an Abbott and Costello film. I joined the forces in 1954, and was ...see more
My Mum, sister and I used to go to the Savoy at least once a week, and used to walk from the Sample Shoe shop down the High Street to the Savoy, passing on the way Croydon General Hospital. Along the left hand side of this High Street was a sweet shop that sold their own sweets "home made" and they were delicious! Coconut Squares were my favourite. The shop used to smell gorgeous. I wonder if any one remembers this ...see more