I took a trip to a ‘beach’ in London and was blown away by one factor | UK | Travel

Keeping the children entertained during their summer break can be a challenging task, particularly with the financial burden of family outings and activities. Train fares to coastal locations near London can be hefty. As a lifelong Londoner, I’ve always relied on beach getaways like Brighton, Bournemouth or Kent, but these day trips no longer seem worth it.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that there’s an entry fee for Brighton Pier? Once you factor in food and activities, it’s inevitably an expensive day out. But what if I told you that you could whisk your family off to a sandy, fun-filled trip to Croydon without spending a penny?

Picture this: a man-made beach atop an empty rooftop car park in a shopping centre, right in the heart of South London, complete with sand, water, and palm trees – sounds mad, doesn’t it?

But it’s genuinely stunning and just what the community needed. I popped over to Costa del Croydon to see if it lives up to the hype, and spoiler alert, it absolutely does.

This ‘beach’ first appeared in the borough last year and attracted over 30,000 visitors, but this year is set to be even bigger with fresh experiences, an updated activity roster, and more delicious food and drink. The most incredible part about this attraction is that it’s entirely free for families to enter in August; you just need to book online ahead of time.

A spokesperson for the attraction disclosed: “Costa del Croydon remains a truly community-driven event, designed to bring joy to local residents who may not have easy access to traditional beach destinations. With many Croydon families living in flats without outdoor space, this pop-up beach offers a much-needed escape, right in the heart of the town, for free.

“Every Tuesday, Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) will host dedicated Community Days, giving local groups the chance to showcase their talents and performances. Eight slots will be available, with applications reviewed by URW’s Social Value team, the Centrale team, and CVA, ensuring a diverse and engaging programme for all.”

Upon entering the venue, I was thrilled to find just how lively and bright everything looked. Delighted squeals from children at play echoed throughout whilst Caribbean melodies created the ideal atmosphere.

My attention was immediately drawn to the massive sandpit beside the adjacent palm trees. The sand stayed immaculately pristine with a beautiful beige colour, despite numerous youngsters frolicking about and enjoying themselves in it.

Given my visit occurred two hours prior to closing time, after their 11:30 opening, this was genuinely impressive. To be completely honest, I was expecting some chaos with so many children around, but surprisingly everything remained in pristine condition.

To the right of the sandy area, there’s a giant chess set that all ages can enjoy, along with a large Connect Four game. If you’re worried about getting too sandy, Costa del Croydon has thoughtfully provided fun water fountains for cleaning off or simply having a splash when the weather is warm.

On the left, there’s a go-karting game, a ‘fire blast’ stand (where you shoot water into designated holes), and a trampoline area. Opposite the entrance, there’s a long line of food and drink trucks.

Families can dig into hearty meals like toasties and jacket potatoes from Old Skool Foods or hot dogs, burgers and chicken wings from the Costa del Croydon truck.

I treated myself to a jacket potato topped with chilli con carne and cheese for a mere £6, which was incredibly tasty and large enough to share with my mate. We then indulged in a large ice cream with a flake for £6, although a smaller one was available for £4.

Families can also grab a slushie or a cold beverage from the other food stands. All the food vendors and activities are provided by independent business owners from across the UK. When we bought a sweet seaside-style doughnut from the Candy Cart, we discovered that the owner had travelled all the way from Scotland to Croydon.

The entire area brought back memories of the seaside, with a hook-a-duck game providing major prizes as a central attraction – my sole significant complaint was the cost, which stood at £5 per game. What I truly appreciated were the multiple locations offering cosy spots to relax.

Numerous large hammocks were scattered throughout the ‘chill zone’ alongside various huts available for booking to enjoy some tranquillity. The owner of food stall Old Skool Ice Cream disclosed that this venue isn’t exclusively popular amongst families – countless office workers have been spotted heading up to the ‘beach’ to enjoy their lunch break.

However, what truly surprised me was the laid-back and joyful ambience you encounter upon entering. I sat down to watch the sun begin to set, and suddenly, it no longer seemed like I was in Croydon.

The sunlight kissed the sand, and the artificial palm trees began looking authentic. Momentarily, the tower blocks disappeared, and I genuinely felt whisked away to an actual beach.

Speaking to a mother who was part of a large group of adults and children, she described her experience as amazing. “My little one loved the sand. The only thing I would change is that some activities aren’t for under threes.

“if they could bring something more for the younger ones. The prices were okay, I did spend money on food and drinks here. People on TikTok were complaining but it’s the same everywhere.”

Another parent disclosed, “It was a lot of fun. It is unfortunate about the time slot, as the weather is unpredictable, and today wasn’t as hot. You have to book two weeks in advance, and you cannot move your day. We arrived late, but have been here for two hours, and could have easily stayed for the entire four. But, yeah, it’s great. It’s important for the kids, as for them it looks like a real beach.”

Costa Del Croydon will be up and running until August 31, so you need to act fast to visit this year.