The ShineRocks catchment - if you could call it that - is the collection of towns and villages between the M25 in the south, A232 in the north and the A217 in the west. We stretch from Purley and Croydon down to Caterham and Woldingham, near the M25, Cheam and Kingswood just off the A217 and Shirley Hills just east of us.
We have put together a series of guides on the villages and towns near Croydon and Purley. For your convenience, we're rounding them up here. You can also go to the Area Guides menu at any time in our site navigation.
Purley is a prosperous district in South London, situated close to Croydon and within easy commute of the City. It has a reputation as a premier area, boasting spacious houses and apartments which are understandably much sought-after.
The Webb Estate is probably South London’s best kept secret, an unspoilt and private Estate, situated in a protected conservation area close to Purley town centre, a prosperous district in South London, located close to Croydon and within an easy commute of both the City and West End of London. This jewel in the South London crown, can only be described as a very special place to live and bring up a large family in a safe and beautiful environment.
The Woodcote Estate comprises a group of Purley’s premier roads, situated to the south of Smitham bottom lane and backing directly on to open fields and the Woodcote park golf club, founded in 1912.
Read the Woodcote Estate guide.
Sanderstead Village sits on the beautiful North Surrey Downs offering a true village atmosphere, Sanderstead pond is a local landmark with views towards the Grade I listed All Saints' Church dating from the 13th century. People have been drawn to this prosperous and sought after district of South London for centuries, due to its close proximity to Croydon and easy commute of Central London.
South Croydon is situated perfectly for those wishing to access central Croydon and London with great train services from South Croydon Station as well as being within easy access of East Croydon Station.
South Croydon offers a strong sense of identity and community spirit. There are some beautiful buildings in the area and South End offers a florist, a high-end jewellery shop, specialist music and sound shops, a bike shop and a number of other businesses which are well worth a visit. South End has a varied selection of shops, restaurants and businesses, retaining a vibrant village atmosphere.
The historic town of Croydon is situated to the south of London and is today one of the largest commercial districts outside central London. Croydon is of course a very popular location for those who commute into central London and has a huge amount to offer in the way of history, entertainment and the arts, with institutions such as the major arts and entertainment centre, Fairfield Halls, adding to the vibrancy of the borough. Croydon is growing fast with an estimated population approaching 400,000. The area is currently going through a large regeneration project to include the Westfield shopping centre, due for completion by 2018.
The Whitgift Estate is probably the most sought after residential location within the London borough of Croydon. Many of these premier roads back on to either playing fields or parkland and some even back Shirley Park golf course, you can walk to Croydon town centre if you feel energetic. The area is currently going through a large regeneration project to include the Westfield shopping centre, due for completion by 2018.
Read the Whitgift Estate guide.
Shirley Hills is part of the historic town of Croydon, situated to the south of London. Croydon is of course a very popular location for those who commute into central London and has a huge amount to offer in the way of history, entertainment and the arts, with institutions such as the major arts and entertainment centre, Fairfield Halls, adding to the vibrancy of the borough. The area is currently going through a large regeneration project to include the Westfield shopping centre, due for completion by 2018.
Coulsdon is a quiet Town, ideally located, close to the neighbouring town of Purley and within easy access of Croydon with its comprehensive shopping facilities. Thanks to its close proximity to London, with three railway stations and being just a short drive to the M23 and M25, Coulsdon town is the perfect commuter location, offering great transport links and conveniently positioned close to amenities. Coulsdon has wide and long pavements and indoor cafés from which to watch many of the London-Brighton rallies (vintage cars, minis, Land Rovers, vintage commercial vehicles, motorbikes, cycling etc.) A good selection of both state and private schools are located nearby, the town itself being situated on the edge of lovely countryside offering plenty of outdoor activities and pursuits.
Lying on the top of the North Downs at the southern boundary of Greater London, Chipstead is close to both Banstead and Purley, while being conveniently situated for easy access to central London and the M25 motorway. Yet despite this proximity, Chipstead retains the gentle charm of a Surrey Village, an oasis of rural tranquillity on the fringe of suburbia, enjoying a strong sense of identity caring and community. Chipstead offers most of the classic features expected of a country village, with a beautiful Norman Church, a pretty village pond, a community hall, a station, a village green and a pub/restaurant. There are lots of clubs and societies, ranging from the Fine Arts to Chipstead Brownies.
The town of Wallington, in the London Borough of Sutton, is also part of Greater London. Wallington is very conveniently situated between Croydon to the East and Sutton to the West. Today Wallington is a thriving town offering a whole host of amenities.
Read the South Wallington guide.
Kenley is a sought after semi-rural area, situated just south of Purley yet within easy reach of central London. If you are looking for a truly country feel with all the conveniences of good transport, shopping and schools nearby, then Kenley is the perfect choice for your next move. With a wide selection of property ranging from flats, terraced and semi-detached houses mainly found in the valley, to large imposing detached family homes in Welcomes road, Uplands road and Hayes Lane, Kenley has a lot to offer the discerning purchaser.
Warlingham is situated on the scarp slope of the North Downs 650 feet above sea level.
The Village is centred around a triangular village green, with at its centre, a War memorial of a soldier with rifle set on a square column, two sides have sixty names of those who died in the Great War with small subsidiary plaques showing the dedication for the Second World War.
Woldingham is a picturesque village situated 700 feet above sea level on top of the North Downs in a recognised area of natural beauty, surrounded by countryside yet just 30 minutes to London from Woldingham main line station.
With only several hundred properties and a population of a little over two thousand, it has been reported that there are more millionaires in Woldingham per head that practically anywhere else outside the Capital.
Whyteleafe is a village situated on the North Downs very conveniently located within easy reach of Croydon and London and on the edge of beautiful countryside. The Village got its name from the distinctive white underside of the Whitebeam trees growing in the area. In 1855 Nathaniel Glover purchased White Leaf Field and George Henry Drew later completed the building that was called ‘White Leafe House’, by 1881 the surrounding area had become known as Whyteleafe and its first primary school was built in 1892. Whyteleafe also benefits from 3 railway stations.
Kingswood is one of the most prestigious and sought after locations on the Surrey Hills, a large Village situated on the North Downs in the prosperous Borough of Reigate & Banstead, having a lovely peaceful feel, yet being only a few minutes’ drive from the M25, junction 8 (Reigate). If you are looking for a true Village atmosphere, combined with good amenities and rail services to the main line London Stations, Kingswood is for you. To the south and offering a true country feel, is the more rural area of Lower Kingswood, ideal for those following equestrian pursuits, with its own local shops and pubs.
Carshalton is situated South West of London in the Valley of the River Wandle. Conveniently placed for easy access to London and the South Coast. The main focal point, Carshalton Village, is visually scenic and picturesque with two adjoining ponds at its centre, one of the sources of the River Wandle and overlooked by the Grade II listed All Saints Church on the South side and the Victorian Grove Park on the North side. There are a number of buildings and open spaces protected by the Carshalton Village Conservation area.
Read the Carshalton Beeches guide.
Caterham is a vibrant town in the Tandridge district of Surrey, situated on the North Downs, 6 miles south of Croydon and consisting of two centres, Caterham Valley and Caterham on the Hill. Caterham Valley is the main town centre with it’s main line railway station can and Caterham on the Hill, with it’s more Village like atmosphere, is located above the valley to the West. The town lies close to the A-22 offering access to the M25 junction 6 in just five minutes by car.
An ancient parish in the county of Surrey, Sutton is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Today Sutton is a vibrant town with a very good shopping centre and main line railway station situated on the lower slopes of the North Downs, being perfectly positioned for access to London, and the South Coast.
Read the Sutton and Belmont guide.
Cheam is a large village situated in the London Borough of Sutton. Cheam is divided into two main areas, North Cheam and Cheam Village. Cheam is bordered by Sutton to the East, Ewell to the West, and Banstead to the South. Cheam, with its historic village centre is the perfect place for anyone who may want the convenience of good access to many larger towns and/or London but who appreciates the village feel and history that Cheam has to offer.
Banstead is situated on the edge of the North Downs and remained a small village until the 19th century, when the improved roads and the building of the railways led to its growth, however, Banstead retains a village feel and has a number of buildings of historical interest.
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