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External views, history and notes |
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(above) The new 'Control Tower' and 'Terminal Building'
under construction in December 1927. The old aerodrome was found
to be too small for the growing demands of international air-routes. |
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(above & below). Front and rear views of the new
Terminal building in November 1929. |
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(above) proposed plan of the new 'Terminal
' building. (not used) |
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(above) The Control Tower and Terminal completed, work
still ongoing in extending and improving the airfield, in the
above picture. 1930. |
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(above) the new entrance in 1928 |
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On the
'Control Tower'. (above) the 'Signalman' who communicated
instructions to aircraft that were landing and taking off. (below) Jimmy Jeffs the worlds first 'Air Traffic Controller',
in the worlds first airport 'Control Tower'. (picture taken in
1935). |
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(below) releasing a fog-balloon on the 7th of December
1935. |
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(below)
The 30's control tower |
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The roof
of the Terminal building was a great place for visitors to watch
from, particularly for special events like (above)
the arrival of Amy Johnson after her flight from Croydon-CapeTown-Croydon
on the 18th of December 1932. Spectators crowd the roof on another
special event day (below). Note the temporary wooden huts
probably for refreshments etc. In both pictures the 'Traffic
Controller' (with the cap) stands next to the signal lamp facing
down the landing strip, to signal instructions to aircraft landing
and taking off. Not all aircraft were fitted with radio. |
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(above) 1936. |
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(below) 1932 |
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(above)
The main Terminal entrance 1935 |
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(above) King George VI on a visit to the
'Control Tower'. |
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(above) The main entrance before
the road and landscaping in the late 1930's. (below)
the final landscaping and road construction at the main entrance.
c1939. |
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(above) Main entrance 1938 |
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(above) Night view of the airport. 'Air
Union' hanger facing. |
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(above) The Control Tower damaged during WW2 |
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(above and below)
The Terminal building during WW2. |
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(above) A 'Lockheed L12a' in front of the Terminal about
1950 (note the first small observation room on the roof) |
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(above) The terminal and Control Tower
about 1953 (note the observation room has now been rebuilt larger) |
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(above) The 'Control Tower' in 1959 just before closure. |
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(above) just after closure about 1960. (below)
several years later begining to look very derelict. |
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(below) closeup of the front entrance in 1982. |
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(above
&below) The 'Control
Tower' in 1986 |
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(above) the hangars demolished and new
buildings and an industrial complex developing on the site,with
a petrol station installed on the forecourt next to the road
(Purley Way). (below) the Terminal building and Control
Tower are now under partial restoration, |
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Metal
wall plaque celebrating the 60th anniversary of the opening of
the Terminal Building |
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(above) the restored Control Tower looking from the airfield
apron side. (below) the Terminal building restored,
and part of the Control Tower restored. The 'DH Heron' a replica
of the last commercial plane to leave the airport is mounted
on display at the front, and part of the 'Terminal Building'
used as a representative museum. (note this is not the last aircraft
to leave, but another 'DH Heron' painted in the same markings). |
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(above) note the final
increased size of the Terminal Building. The two end wings have
both been extended forward (1935) level with the main front entrance. |
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A modern
day view of the main entrance to the restored 'Terminal Building' |
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(above
and below) the Terminal
building up for sale in 2009 |
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The Croydon Airport Visitor
Centre is a volunteer led community venture which opened its
doors in 2000. Croydon Airport Visitor Centre is located in Airport
House, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ.
Opening Times
First Sunday of the month throughout the year 11.00- 16.00 with
last entry at 15.30 Free admission. Donations for running costs
are gratefully received
Guided tours are available on the day free of charge. Additional
special Open Days are held at various times throughout the year.
See website for details. Group visits can be arranged outside
these times at a small cost.
Information
The Croydon Airport Visitor Centre is a volunteer led community
venture. Designed by haleysharpe.com and opened in 2000, it was
the winner of a British Tourism Award. Exhibition space includes
displays located in the world’s oldest Air Traffic Control
Tower in Airport House. Features include interactive display,
exhibits and visual images charting the history of Croydon Airport
from World War I airfield, London’s international airport,
Battle of Britain airfield and closure in 1959.
Facilities
Refreshments are available at the restaurant. Accessible toilets
Wheelchair access is available to the lower floor of the Visitor
Centre. At present, wheelchair access is unavailable to the upper
floor.
How to find
us
Croydon Airport Visitor Centre is located in Airport House, Purley
Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ. Bus routes refer to Airport House under
its former name of Croydon Airport.
Waddon is the nearest rail station and a 10 minute walk. 289
bus routes from the station to Croydon Airport. Purley is 10
minutes by 289 bus. By train, East Croydon is 20 minutes from
central London and then 15mins by the 119 bus. Bus routes that
serve Croydon Airport are the 289 and 119. Buses stop outside
Airport House, Croydon Airport or across the road at The Colonnades.
By Car, parking is free during Open Days
Schools
A free downloadable Teachers' Pack is available as a teaching
and learning resource. The Teachers' Pack focuses on Key Stage
2 of the National Curriculum and is useful reference for other
Key Stage groups.
School
Visits
As resources allow, school visits can be accommodated for limited
numbers. It should be noted that the Croydon Airport Visitor
Centre is located in Airport House Business Centre. As a very
active business hub we do have to consider our neighbours and
monitor noise levels.
Outreach
As resources allow, we can visit your school to give talks on
the history of Croydon Airport. |
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Contact
Us |
Croydon Airport Society
Airport House
Purley Way
Croydon
CR0 0XZ
Call us:
0777 968 1035
Email us:
info@croydonairportsociety.org.uk |
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