South Croydon Sports Club

The South Croydon Sports Club sits just outside Warlingham in Surrey, a proper local outfit that's been serving the community for years. It's the kind of place where you'll find tennis courts, football pitches, and a clubhouse that genuinely feels like it belongs to the people who use it - no pretence, no velvet ropes. What you do here depends entirely on your interests: if you're into tennis or football, there's membership available; if you're just passing through, the grounds themselves offer a pleasant spot to take in some fresh Surrey air. The club has that slightly worn-in quality that tells you it's actually used rather than just maintained for show.

Families camped at nearby Milberry Green Meadows or Alderstead Heath will find this a useful addition to a park-based week - particularly if anyone in the group fancies a game of tennis or wants to watch some local club football. It's not a destination you'll plan your whole trip around, but it's worth knowing about if you're staying in the area. Opening hours and admission details aren't always straightforward for local sports clubs, so ringing ahead makes sense. Allow thirty minutes to an hour if you're just exploring the grounds, longer if you're getting involved in any activities. Best visited during organised match times if you want the full atmosphere - empty on a Tuesday afternoon, it's just a set of courts and pitches.