Croydon opened its doors for Open House London weekend giving visitors a look back at the borough’s heritage as well as how it is changing in the future.
A total of 112 people went on tours of the Croydon Town Hall and Clocktower Complex on Saturday, while 60 visited the council’s offices at Bernard Weatherill House.
With views of the Croydon skyline, it was an opportunity for visitors to find out about the future development plans in the town centre.
They were also able to see volunteers potting corms for 21,000 crocuses in The Queen’s Gardens for a pop-up saffron farm on the Taberner House site.
Around 40 people attended the Connected Croydon walking tour on Saturday where they were taken round some of the main public realm and infrastructure projects taking place in the town centre.
The Seven Hills of Croydon, an architecture walk of the town centre from the vantage point of seven car parks, had around 25 attendees on Sunday.
People also visited Ruskin Square, by East Croydon station, where they had the chance to see a major live regeneration project under construction, with building work under way for new homes and offices.
More than 700 buildings and spaces opened their doors for the annual Open House London weekend, which celebrates buildings and spaces in the capital.
Other Croydon buildings that took part included Airport House, Fairfield Halls, Old Palace, Shirley Windmill, St Bernard’s Houses, The Stanley Halls, Thornton Heath Library, Whitehorse Manor Schools and the Whitgift Almshouses.
“It was fantastic to see so many people come to Croydon and visit some of the borough’s star attractions.
“Open House weekend is about showcasing great architecture, and I’m delighted that Stanhope and Schroders were able to show their Ruskin Square development as a live site, so people could experience how Croydon is regenerating, as well as learn about its heritage.
“There was also a lot going on in our districts, which goes to show how much our borough has to offer.”
Councillor Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport