Leisure and culture

Croydon Clocktower has been described as "The jewel in Croydon's crown" by Time Out magazine.

Built in 1895 as Croydon's Town Hall, the complex now also houses the Croydon Museum and art galleries, the David Lean Cinema, the Central Library, the Tourist Information Centre, the Braithwaite Hall and the Clocktower Café.

This is Croydon's third Town Hall. The first one is believed to have been built either 1566 or 1609. The second was built in 1808 to serve the growing market and trading centre, but was demolished following completion of the present Town Hall in 1895.

It was designed by local architect Charles Henman.  Constructed of red bricks, with Portland Stone dressings and green Westmoreland slates for the roof, the building underwent many design changes throughout construction, including the widening of the main staircase to be of "adequate size and importance".

Parts, including the former court rooms, have been converted for the museum and the exhibition galleries. The original public library is now the David Lean Cinema, and the whole complex is known as Croydon Clocktower. After 100 years, a new public library occupies the area shown on Charles Henman's original plans as "space available for future extension".

In the mid-1980s the Town Hall was completely renovated and restored, and the Mayor's Parlour and the committee rooms have reverted to their original purpose.