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We are thinking of moving to Coulsdon, Surrey. Have two boys – 6 and 2.5. A bit concerned that the high street is pretty dead. Can anybody offer more info on living there with a young family?
Many thanks
KS@crochetali on twitter replied….”it has an ok row if shops and is close to Croydon shopping facilities. There are some lovely house areas there”
The High Street is in need of regeneration, but that should happen soon, with two new housing developments due to start shortly, one close to Coulsdon Town station, the other close to Coulsdon South station. But among the shops on offer, ‘Lorimers’ on the Brighton Road is a good old fashioned toy shop, stocking the most up to date items as well as more traditional pastimes and saves a trawl to Toys R Us or similar. The ‘Arts and Crafts’ shop in Chipstead Valley Road is a treasure trove of hobby bits and pieces. That apart, you’ve got great open spaces such as Farthing Downs and parks such as the Memorial Ground on Marlpit Lane with good playgrounds. The 1st Coulsdon Beavers, good for children up to 8, is the most popular in the region and my daughter has been going there for two years. Coulsdon has great transport links. If you can’t find what you need locally, then you have two railway stations with quick links into East Croydon (10mins) and London (20/25mins), as well as out to Redhill and Reigate with all the shopping facilities those larger towns have to offer. Coulsdon South also runs to Gatwick, so for the occasional holiday break you don’t need to bother with long stay parking or expensive taxi fares. The buses are plentiful and run to Redhill in the South and up into Croydon and Streatham in the North. Back in Coulsdon, amongst others, the ‘La Scarpetta’ italian restaurant is family friendly, as is ‘The Pembroke’ pub. The library at Coulsdon and up at Old Coulsdon have a number of children’s activities ongoing.
Of course it goes without saying, my own theatre group performs at Coulsdon Community Centre on Chipstead Valley Road 3 times a year. More details about us can be found at http://www.twcoulsdon.org.uk
Hope this has been of assistance.There’s Farthing Books newly opened, Art Rebellion doesn’t look like it but they’re actually really lovely & kid friendly – cafe with art! Also, One of a Kind Cake co, sells cakes & kid friendly. Kiddies Under 5’s Soft Play in Harriers hall Friday mornings (down between the shops by BSS Car Sounds) Opposite Art Rebellion. Lots goes on in the hall behind the car park on Lion Green Road, under 3/s cub & Brit’s Sing Along I love. Primary Schools are all good, Smitham, Chipstead Valley & Woodcote. Loads of toddler groups/u5s stuff at Children’s & Calat Centre (funding cuts so may not last) but also loads of toddler groups etc. We love it here! Happy to chat if you want to , Wendy
The Church at St Andrews is very active and the vicar would be delighted to answer any questions – the email is vicar@standrews.coulsdon.net There is also a playgroup at the church details here. http://www.standrews.coulsdon.net/children-and-young-people/
Thank you all so much for taking time to reply. Have done a lot of “homework” on Coulsdon since and we still like the area very much. The only thing that we have little info on is the Cane Hill Development. Lots of plans posted on net but what do the locals think? 650 new homes seams like a whole new town? Wendy and B.aspinal, if you are local, have you heard any more on this subject? Once again, big thank you for the info so far. K
I am sorry. I’m soooo bored of hearing of this and that plan for Cane Hill that don’t happen that I don’t even read them any more! Same as for the Pinewood site in town, was going to be Lidl, Sainburys etc etc!
I would expect that unless you’re going to buy a house near there, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I guess it might affect A23 traffic if there are 100s of new homes, though travel from Coulsdon South Station is pretty good so expect lots might commute.
Wendy
Thanks Wendy! All noted!
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