Croydon: Perfect for shopaholics!

With easy access to the Olympic Park and more shopping centres than you can shake a stick at, Croydon’s got accommodation covered in 2012

There’s normally quite a few factors we bring into consideration when we search for accommodation on our holiday. However, if you’re going to be indulging in a city break during the London Olympic Games, the decisions you make will depend on something entirely different.

First of all, you need to think about whether transport from your chosen borough into Central London for Olympics events is in easy reach. Secondly, you need to make sure that there are plenty of attractions to keep you occupied during the duration of your holiday in the local area. Thirdly, you want to ensure that the accommodation has had good reviews from previous tourists, guaranteeing that you will get somewhere comfortable, spacious, and well-appointed with all of the facilities that you could possibly require.

Thankfully, Croydon’s got everything you need – in addition to much more. With a theatre, an arts centre, several shopping complexes that specialise in different goods and a number of renowned restaurants, this is the ultimate borough for visitors who want to make the most out of their leisure time.

Some interesting facts about the Olympics in 2012

Indeed, one issue as you decide what you’re going to do for your holidays in 2012 is this: should you get some tickets for the Summer Games? In short, yes, you should – after all, how many opportunities will you get to see world-class sport on this scale unfold in the UK?

The level of investment that has gone on behind the scenes for the London Olympics has been phenomenal. If the sheer talent of the athletes competing in every arena doesn’t impress you, the state-of-the-art buildings and facilities at the Olympic Park in Newham certainly will.

The venue, which has been described as part of a wider aim to regenerate East London, has been created with the environment in mind – infusing city life with preserving rare wildlife that can still be found in the capital. The extensive gardens in the complex overlook the River Thames, and close to 2,000 trees have been planted on the site for future generations – making it a vibrant place for recreation and leisure with restaurants and plenty of room to relax.

If all of this wasn’t enough, the newly-built accommodation for athletes will be transformed into affordable housing and upmarket apartments and flats at the conclusion of the games as well. Not only is this massive event going to benefit Londoners and other tourists during the event, but the significant investment will benefit aspiring sports stars and locals for years to come.

Best London holiday accommodation

What is there to do in Croydon?

The aptly-named Museum of Croydon will allow you to discover more about the historical significance of this borough. It’s fun, interactive, and includes exhibitions that change throughout the year.

During the summer of 2012, the museum will be at the peak of its season; catering to visitors with fascinating galleries and artefacts that will enthral, educate and inspire.

If you’ve got an appetite, there are also plenty of restaurants serving heartily-sized portions of hot and mouth-watering food. For example, Le Cassoulet is a restaurant that works on the motto of going back to basics. In order to recreate authentic French cuisine and the best possible food, the menu is constantly under review to ensure that the season’s best ingredients can be included in imaginative recipes that will stimulate your tastebuds and leave you desperate for more.

Train, tube and... tram!

The Tramlink in London means that you can get easy access from Croydon to all stops to Wimbledon, Beckenham Junction and New Addington.

Of course, if your first love is tennis, this will make Croydon a highly sought-after place to stay during the Olympics, as all of the preliminary heats and finals for singles and doubles are being held in Wimbledon.

Once you’re on the tram, you’ll also be able to get off at other stops where there are London Underground and Overground connections to places like Wembley and Newham. There’s also National Rail transfers to train stations around the country – meaning that Olympic fans with a penchant for football will be able to enjoy all of the matches taking place in Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle and Coventry.

And for those looking to visit the seaside, there are great train links to Brighton and Hove holiday homes as well. Even better, the train line passes through Gatwick airport.

Don’t forget that there are plenty of airports, and there’s also St Pancras International, offering speedy links to France.