Coulsdon

Coulsdon sits on the southern edge of the London Borough of Croydon, on the scarp of the North Downs. The area contains several neighbourhoods, including Old Coulsdon and Coulsdon Town, and is served by two railway stations, Coulsdon South and Coulsdon Town, giving direct links into central London. The town centre has shops, cafes, and local services clustered along the High Street and Stafford Road. The Old Coulsdon Conservation Area preserves a number of 18th- and 19th-century buildings and a village green that mark the town’s rural origins within Greater London.

Green space is a major element of Coulsdon’s character. Coulsdon Common and Farthing Downs form part of the North Downs ridge and are crossed by public footpaths. Farthing Downs includes the largest area of semi-natural chalk grassland in London and is managed with grazing livestock, which maintains the open sward and rare plants. Community facilities include primary schools, leisure clubs and a local library, while sports pitches and allotments sit close to the commons, keeping the town connected to the downland landscape.