Croydon - a fascinating past and enchanting future

Many of those presently on the lookout for houses in Croydon are doubtless keeping a close eye on the ISLAND Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com) development, which comprises 183 apartments and penthouses and promises to combine the finest skyline living with a price tag somewhat lower than one might expect of London. With Phase 1 now available and show apartments open, the elegant 20-storey tower is a major part of Croydon's future, but what prospective residents may not be so aware of is the rich history of this often unjustly unsung area.

There is uncertainty as to the origins of the name Croydon. Some have suggested that the name must have Anglo-Saxon in origin, as is the case for most of the surrounding place names. John Corbett Anderson has cited 962 as the year in which Croydon was first mentioned, in the joint will of Beorhtric and Aelfswth, an Anglo-Saxon document. In the late Saxon period, long before today's penthouses in Croydon came to be, Croydon was the hub of a large estate in the possession of the Archbishops of Canterbury, with the area still known as Old Town being the location of the church and the archbishops' manor house.

Fast-forward to 1276, and Croydon's development as an urban centre truly began with the acquisition by Archbishop Kilwardby of a charter for a weekly market. As Croydon became one of north east Surrey's main market towns, by the 16th century, the manor house gradually took the form of a substantial palace. Those looking for houses for sale in Croydon may be interested to learn that many of Croydon Palace's original buildings still continue in use today, as Old Palace School. The current Croydon Minster, meanwhile, has its origins in a Perpendicular-style Parish Church that succumbed to fire in 1867, its replacement being designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott.

By the mid-19th century, Croydon had become a significant leisure destination, helped by the coming of the Industrial Revolution and the railway. Between 1801 and 1901, Croydon's population rose 23-fold. The Victorian middle classes came to love this pleasant, leafy residential suburb given the ability that it gave them to easily commute to the City of London - an advantage appreciated by many of those now living in Croydon. Over the subsequent decades, the High Street was widened, transport links continued to grow and the area become an even more significant economic centre.

Today, it's not difficult to understand the sheer popularity of flats for sale Croydon, with the modern town being a key shopping centre as well as home to several arts venues, such as the Fairfield Halls, Ashcroft Theatre and Warehouse Theatre. Increasingly, newcomers to London are appreciating Croydon for so much more than its transport links - and as development continues, that is sure to be reflected in demand for the new ISLAND Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com) apartments and penthouses.

Editor’s Note: ISLAND Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

ost of the surrounding place names. John Corbett Anderson has cited 962 as the year in which Croydon was first mentioned, in the joint will of Beorhtric and Aelfswth, an Anglo-Saxon document. In the late Saxon period, long before today's penthouses in Croydon came to be, Croydon was the hub of a large estate in the possession of the Archbishops of Canterbury, with the area still known as Old Town being the location of the church and the archbishops' manor house.

Fast-forward to 1276, and Croydon's development as an urban centre truly began with the acquisition by Archbishop Kilwardby of a charter for a weekly market. As Croydon became one of north east Surrey's main market towns, by the 16th century, the manor house gradually took the form of a substantial palace. Those looking for houses for sale in Croydon may be interested to learn that many of Croydon Palace's original buildings still continue in use today, as Old Palace School. The current Croydon Minster, meanwhile, has its origins in a Perpendicular-style Parish Church that succumbed to fire in 1867, its replacement being designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott.

By the mid-19th century, Croydon had become a significant leisure destination, helped by the coming of the Industrial Revolution and the railway. Between 1801 and 1901, Croydon's population rose 23-fold. The Victorian middle classes came to love this pleasant, leafy residential suburb given the ability that it gave them to easily commute to the City of London - an advantage appreciated by many of those now living in Croydon. Over the subsequent decades, the High Street was widened, transport links continued to grow and the area become an even more significant economic centre.

Today, it's not difficult to understand the sheer popularity of flats for sale Croydon, with the modern town being a key shopping centre as well as home to several arts venues, such as the Fairfield Halls, Ashcroft Theatre and Warehouse Theatre. Increasingly, newcomers to London are appreciating Croydon for so much more than its transport links - and as development continues, that is sure to be reflected in demand for the new ISLAND Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com) apartments and penthouses.

Editor’s Note: ISLAND Croydon (http://www.islandcroydon.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.