A leafy retreat in Selsdon
An elegant area of Croydon, south London, this affluent garden village stands on hilly ground and is notable for its many art deco houses.
Most of Selsdon used to be a single farm covering more than a square mile, owned by the Church for years. Its woodland was used for pheasant shooting in the 19th century, with clearings that you can still see today.
Go for a ramble in the woods
Nicknamed the Bird Sanctuary, the ancient Selsdon Wood and nature reserve is a lovely place to spot some feathered friends, from jackdaws to tawny owls. It's dominated by oak, beech and ash trees, and you can walk among hundreds of flower varieties.
Nearby Littleheath Woods is often called Selsdon's secret wood as it's almost completely surrounded by houses. For many visitors, the treetops are the only sign of a wooded area hidden away behind residents' gardens.
Explore Croydon's dining scene
The flourishing neighbourhood that seems to keep on reinventing itself is now a go-to dining destination and shopping hub. Boxpark Croydon has added a new spark to the town recently. Housed in 80 renovated shipping containers, it's got fab restaurants, bars and gig venues. The new Westfield shopping centre is due to open in 2021, but until then you can find your high-street favourites and more at Centrale & Whitgift.
Looking for a cheap hotel Near Selsdon? Both Travelodge London South Croydon Hotel and Travelodge Croydon Central Hotel are within three miles of the village.