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London Croydon Airport was Britain’s first major international airport. It played a major role in the development of global air travel after World War One and has a significant place in early 20th century British history. It was the predecessor to London Heathrow Airport and Britain’s busiest airport during the inter war period.

Some of the significant historic events and achievements at London Croydon Airport include:-

Britain’s first purpose-built Terminal and Control Tower
World’s largest airport terminal in 1928
Departure point for many world record breaking flights such as Amy Johnson, Bert Hinkler, Alan Cobham, Jim Mollison, Mary Bailey, Arthur Clouston with Betty Kirby-Green
Birthplace of Air Traffic Control
Innovation of “Mayday” international distress call
World’s first integrated airport terminal
World’s first Air Traffic Control Tower
Establishment of Britain’s first national airline, Imperial Airways
Britain’s first intercontinental air routes across Europe, Asia and Australia
Significantly, the new airport introduced the world to two new types of specialised airport technical building:-

Airport Terminal
Air Traffic Control Tower
These two types of new building were the first built in the world and are instantly recognisable features of all modern airports. The buildings were significant as they encompass the key functions and processes needed in effectively managing air passenger operations.

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Welcome to the Croydon Airport Visitor Centre micro-museum. The Croydon Airport Visitor Centre is a volunteer led micro-museum which opened its doors in 2000. Croydon Airport Visitor Centre is located in the world’s oldest Air Traffic Control Tower at Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ.

OPENING TIMES
First Sunday of the month throughout the year (with the exception of New Years Day).

Please note that wheelchair access is available to the ground floor Booking Hall exhibits and by lift to the lower floor of the Museum. There is no wheelchair access to the Control Tower.

Additional special Open Days are held at various times throughout the year. See website for details.

SCHOOLS AND YOUTH GROUPS
School and Youth Groups are welcome to our Open Days. We are normally unable to accommodate school and youth group visits outside our normal Open Days. However, we would be happy to visit your school or group to give an illustrated talk about the airport and Amy Johnson, for example.

Our schools education programme brings to life the fascinating international story of Croydon Airport. We encourage school children to engage with the unique history told at the Croydon Airport Visitor Centre. A downloadable Teachers Pack has been produced which can be used to support school visits or as a classroom learning resource.

Making the micro museum more accessible to all is important to us so that everyone has an equal opportunity to learn, enjoy and be inspired.

HOW TO FIND US
Croydon Airport Visitor Centre is located in Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ.

By Bus – For bus routes, please refer to Airport House under its former name of Croydon Airport. 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 Train – Waddon is the nearest station and a 15 minute walk. 289 bus routes from the station to Croydon Airport. Purley is 10 minutes by 289 bus. East Croydon is 20 minutes from central London and then 15mins by the 119 bus.

By Car – Parking is free during Open Days

PRIVATE TOURS FOR SMALL GROUPS
By prior arrangement, we are currently able to offer a limited number of private guided tours for small groups of up to 5 people on a weekday evening or during a weekend, in return for a donation to the airport charity. Please e-mail us at [email protected] for further information.

OUTREACH
As resources allow, we can visit your school/youth group or adult group during the day/evening to give an illustrated talk on the history of the Historic Croydon Airport.now

HOW TO DONATE
Your generosity and support make a big difference in helping to conserve the heritage of London Croydon Airport, the Croydon Airport Visitor Centre micro- museum and archives.

You can support us with a regular annual donation or a one-time donation. By subscribing as a regular donator to the Historic Croydon Airport Trust you’ll receive our regular Newsletter featuring exclusive content and help conserve the airport’s heritage for future generations. You can support us as a Friend, Donor, Benefactor or Friend for Life.

If you pay tax in the UK and are able to Gift Aid your donation, please complete the Gift Aid declaration. Gift Aid means your donation is boosted by an additional 25% by HMRC.

VOLUNTEER
We are dependent on our Volunteers and warmly welcome new people who wish to join our enthusiastic team at the Croydon Airport Visitor Centre (CAVC) or in our Archives section. We have been running the CAVC with a team of volunteers since it opened in 2001 The CAVC is a very popular independent museum that tells the story of air travel and is located in the Air Traffic Control Tower in Airport House.

We seek people who are friendly, enthusiastic, and flexible. Our main roles include being a Tour Guide; welcoming visitors at Reception; Merchandise sales; supervising visitors in the Museum and Control Tower; or helping to organise our extensive Archive. If you can help out at least one day per month at our Visitor Centre Open Days, or perhaps on a weekday in our Archive, you could see your volunteer career take off!

Gallery

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