Explore drawing in Croydon’s Queens Gardens in a fun and relaxed Charcoal Drawing event run by local artist Neal Vaughan. We'll draw the buildings and nature together, reflecting on what it is like to live in a city like Croydon. For all ages.

Artist Samia Tossio invites children to create wearable “architectural hats” representing Croydon landmarks such as the NLA tower (lovingly referred to as the 50p building) or skylines, using recycled and upcycled materials. We will provide easy print-outs of Croydon specific, London specific, and famous London buildings for younger children.

Bring the ideas in your imagination to life in a MATT+FIONA big build at this year’s Open House! Using recycled materials, cardboard, colourful fabric and some nifty fixings, we’ll be reimagining a eco-friendly, joyful Croydon of the future in Queen's Gardens.

Join Clayground Collective in Queen’s Gardens for a hands-on clay experience as part of Open House weekend. Shape your own version of Croydon - past, present or imagined - using raw clay. Recreate iconic landmarks like No.1 Croydon ("The 50p Building"), Croydon Clocktower, Fairfield Halls or even the Whitgift Almshouses, or invent a future skyline from your imagination.

Croydon Town Hall will be opened for a limited number of guided tours, providing rare access to this unique Victorian-style, Grade II listed building. Croydon Town Hall was designed by local architect Charles Henman and opened in 1896.

Charles Henman, 1896

Join storyteller and author Bernadette Russell as she tells the tales of the amazing Gigglemugs, and the day that they uncovered the incredible and surprising secrets of Croydon Town Hall. Plus: find out how to become a modern-day member of The Gigglemugs yourself! This tour is designed for children aged 5-8 years old (siblings and grown ups welcome).

Charles Henman, 1896

Croydon Council's ambitious 1990s Croydon Clocktower project created a large new central library. Former Town Hall library (and other) spaces were then repurposed as arts venues which opened in 1995. These tours for 15 people will outline how this was achieved, with particular emphasis on the David Lean Cinema, and will include a brief talk on the cinema's eventful history.

Tibbalds Monro, 1995

Join our expert staff as they open the Museum of Croydon stores for an intimate guided tour of our stored collections. This activity will take approximately 1 hour and can cater for a maximum of 8 people.

Charles Henman, 1896

Tudor almshouses dating from 1596 and founded by the Archbishop of Canterbury John Whitgift. Chapel and Courtyard with original 16C clock.

Unknown, 1596

A box of building bricks or connecting rods has given pleasure to generations of children, and tested the ingenuity of designers and makers. See an exhibition of childhood favourites and historical rarities- and try some of them of them out. Talks with architectural historian Alan Powers on both days, and giant constructions with architect Ambrose Gillick on Sunday. Suitable for all.

Join John Grindrod, author of 'Iconicon' and 'Concretopia', on a walk around the endless rebuilding of Croydon town centre.