South Croydon.

Set on the ridge above Croydon's Victorian heart, this corner of Greater London has long served as a leafy retreat where commuters swap the city's hum for tree-lined streets and independent shopfronts. Settle into one of the local cafes for a slow morning, or book a stay among the area's hotels, many just steps from the station. Even brief visitors find South Croydon rewards an unhurried pace.