Weekends and evenings, for us, have always been about finding those peaceful yet lively corners just in and around Croydon, places where we can pause, breathe, and create little pockets of calm amid the business of everyday life. Since moving here in 2021, exploring nearby scenic spots has become our way of slowing down and reconnecting, whether it’s a spontaneous drive, a short walk surrounded by nature, or simply watching the sunset together. Each place we visit holds a story, a tiny chapter of our journey as a couple and now as parents.

We often drive to Addington Hills, Croydon’s own hilltop hideaway to watch the sunset over the city we call home. From our home in Purley, we follow the A235 north towards Croydon, then take the A212 up towards Upper Shirley Road, where the road bends into the woodland car park near the viewpoint. It’s barely a fifteen-minute drive, but the change of scene feels instant, the hum of the traffic replaced by birdsong and the whisper of the wind through pines. We walk up to the viewing deck just as the sky begins to blush, watching London’s skyline glow faintly in the distance. We bring a simple homemade meal with us, our ‘Pothi choru’ (our favourite Kerala-style comfort meal, rice and curries wrapped in banana leaves with scrambled egg and pickle inside), the baby’s puree, and a flask of coffee. After we’ve soaked in the view and let the cool breeze wash over us, we return to the car, unwrap the food, and share our quiet dinner as the night settles in. No restaurant could ever match that feeling of the warmth of our own food, the soft laughter of our baby, and the comfort of being together in our own little world.

When we first moved to Croydon, we searched online for nearby scenic spots for a quick drive or getaway and that’s how we discovered Box Hill. Our very first visit turned into something unforgettable. We went hiking, took countless pictures, and watched one of the most beautiful sunsets from the top of the hill.

Since then, Box Hill has become our place. On our next visit, we stopped by the lovely cafe nearby for coffee, hot chocolate, and the most delicious chocolate brownie, little rituals that slowly turned into sweet memories. The next time we went was during autumn, my first autumn in the UK. I was mesmerised by the golden leaves, and my husband clicked a random picture of me looking up at the trees, one that still feels so special when I look back.

Box Hill has quietly witnessed so many chapters of our life from those carefree early days to our maternity photoshoot, and now with our baby. We’ve carried her up the hill in her baby carrier, watched sunsets together, and walked those same paths with her pram. It’s not just a beautiful spot for us, it’s where our love has grown, evolved, and found new meaning as a family.

As the evening begins to unfold, we often find ourselves setting off from our home, eager for that familiar drive towards Box Hill. Leaving Purley behind, we take the A23 south and join the A22, letting the city slowly fade in the rear-view mirror. Soon, we merge onto the A25 towards Dorking, a route that gently winds through the leafy stretches of Surrey, passing small villages and glimpses of open countryside. Just before reaching Dorking, we follow the signs onto the A24 northbound towards Box Hill and Westhumble. The drive, around 13 to 14 miles, usually takes about half an hour, long enough for the day’s business to settle into quiet conversation and anticipation. As the road begins to climb, the golden light softens over the hills, and by the time we reach the car park at the top, the air feels cooler, calmer. We step out, baby in tow, ready to watch another sunset from the place that has become our little haven, the hill that holds so many of our memories, both old and new.

Closer to home, one of our favourite little escapes has always been Coombe Wood Gardens, a quiet pocket of green just off Coombe Lane. On those evenings when we finish work and crave a breath of calm, we often drive from Purley along the A235 Brighton Road, join the A232 through Croydon towards Shirley, and turn onto Coombe Lane near Lloyd Park. Within twenty minutes, the world seems to slow down. The gardens welcome us with winding paths, tall trees, and the soft rustle of leaves. We stroll hand in hand, our baby dozing in the pram, and find a bench where we can simply sit, talk, and breathe. We always carry a little bit of home with us for our baby, it’s her puree and tiny finger foods, and for us, it’s ‘pothi choru’. The moment we unwrap it, the aroma fills the car and feels like a hug from home. After our walk, we often sit in the car, sharing that warm, familiar food while the world outside turns quiet. It always feels peaceful, like time standing still for just us three.

Each of these places – Addington Hills, Box Hill, and Coombe Wood Gardens – has given us more than just pretty views. They’ve given us space to pause, to reconnect, and to see our journey as a family reflected in the changing light of the world around us.

Posted by guest writer Anna Pappachan Kakkassery 

Box Hill photos courtesy of Anna, Addington Hills and Coombe Wood by the Croydonist

Anna is a Malayali from Kerala, India, living in Croydon since 2021. A working mother of a one-year-old, she runs a small home decor business on Instagram. She writes occasionally on her personal blog and also creates travel videos for her YouTube channel.