Museum of Croydon
What Visitors Say
I recently visited the Museum of Croydon, and it was a wonderful experience. It is a very nice place to visit, especially if you are interested in history. The museum has an impressive collection of historical items, and I was particularly fascinated by the ancient bows on display. The craftsmanship and detail of these old weapons are truly remarkable and give a glimpse into the past. The museum is well-organized, informative, and enjoyable for visitors of all ages. It’s a great place to learn about local history and explore unique artifacts. I highly recommend visiting the Museum of Croydon if you are in the area — it’s both educational and inspiring!
The museum is free and situated inside the clock tower building - same entrance as the borough library. Parts of it (Riesco gallery etc) open at 11am instead of 10am (the special exhibition). The special exhibition now talks about the history of industry in Croydon and it’s informative and interesting. You probably finish it all in an hour. For parking, Q-park is recommended which is just 6-7 minutes walk away.
Visited Museum of Croydon early November 2025 during the Meccano exhibition here. It is a local museum featuring the history of Croydon. Definitely recommended.
'FORGE: Industries of Croydon'. New exhibition about the history of industry in the borough is now open. Family activities available and some amazing archive and contemporary photography on display. Plus the bubble car is back!
A small but interesting museum about the history of Croydon. Artefacts have been donated/loaned by current and former occupants of the town and tell the story of Croydon’s recent history and further back. You should expect to spend approximately an hour to an hour and a half here if you want to look at all of the displays and read the notes, etc. A few interactive exhibits for kids, but more geared towards the people and the history than a “pushing buttons” museum. Worth a visit to soak up the local history!
Highlights
Croydon Now
People-centred social historyUniforms, shop signs, flyers and family keepsakes show how migration, music and retail shaped the borough.
Core gallery
Wartime Croydon
Home-front realitiesAir-raid shelter set-pieces, an ‘unexploded bomb’ story and photos connect everyday streets to the Blitz.
Main trail mid-section
Riesco Gallery
Global ceramics in a local museumCeladons, blue-and-white and figural wares trace a millennium of Chinese ceramic innovation alongside Roman and Anglo-Saxon finds from the area.
Upper level
Design & Industry (rotating)
How Croydon makes and remakes itselfShows like “FORGE: Industries of Croydon” pair archive and contemporary images to map factories, offices and retail parks over time.
Temporary gallery
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
The Riesco Collection spans roughly a thousand years of Chinese ceramics—from Tang to Qing dynasties.
A 1950s–60s ‘bubble car’ on display captures post-war urban mobility in miniature.
Local archaeology exhibits include Roman and Anglo-Saxon material, placing Croydon in much older settlement networks.
