The top of a car park might not be where you expect to get sand between your toes, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Costa Del Croydon.
Placed on top of Centrale Shopping Centre, Croydon’s beach is back for a second year offering a place to build summer sandcastles and splash around in the water zone throughout August.
The free event, which has won two international awards for its concept and what it delivered for the community, has returned with a few improvements – more shade, more seating, a dedicated toddler area, a chill out zone and more games.
Alice Leeton, senior account manager at creative marketing agency Bewonder* who work alongside the centre, said: “We’re really happy to bring it back for a second year.
“Last year, it was so unbelievably popular.
“It’s so important to Croydon.
“It’s not always accessible, taking the kids on holiday. The nearest beach is still a good drive away, and travel can be expensive.
“So we just thought, why not? Let’s bring a beach to the rooftop.
“It’s such a juxtaposition, with all the buildings around, and then you’ve got this really bright, vibrant area. You can see all the kids enjoying it. That just makes it all worth it.”
Costa Del Croydon won a Gold Award for placemaking – turning an unused space into something with a purpose – at the 2025 Solal Marketing Awards, an international award celebrating of the most effective and innovative marketing campaigns in the shopping centre industry since the pandemic.
It also won a bronze award for experience at the Drum Marketing Awards and is shortlisted for community initiative of the year at the Sceptre Awards in October.
There is lots to offer when you get to the rooftop. A beach to build sandcastles on and a splash zone to get wet.
There are hammocks, a connect four game a giant chess board. All those are free and then there are some other activities you have to pay for which aren’t cheap.
The trampoline costs £3 for three minutes, hook a duck is £5 a go, the bumper cars are £4 and then there is a water firing game that costs £2.
There are food offerings too but they also cost. The main savoury vans weren’t open on the pre-visit but there are kids meal deals worth £4.95 and adult meal deals worth £7.95.
The donuts were four for £5 but failed to mimic what you would get at the seaside and the £5 waffle, while very nice, was shop bought and heated up.
But there is plenty to keep the kids entertained throughout the three-and-a-half hour slot – including daily activities from local community groups such as street dancing with Boom Arts Academy, Doodle Art Classes with Curtis Creationz and Yoga on the Beach with The Warehouse Dance Studios.
Tickets are released every Friday lunchtime for the coming week, while there are also walk-in spots available.
For more information about tickets and activities, visit https://centraleandwhitgift.co.uk/costa-del-croydon/
All images taken by Graham Moody.
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