Croydon: Historical Traces

When looking for a hotel in Croydon, the cultural focus of your stay may also play a part. Three local stories offer different perspectives: at Bell Reserve, the emphasis is on traces of a home and garden; Croydon Railway Station reflects the development of railway infrastructure; and Shubra Hall preserves connections to stables and garden design from different periods. The sections explain how these themes differ.

Bell Reserve: Traces of a Home and Garden

Bell Reserve is connected with the former building “Balmoral” and Betty Bell. Balmoral was demolished in September 2019; the reserve was established in 2021 and opened to the community. Betty Bell bequeathed it to the Council for use as public open space. Its history therefore encompasses both the transition from the former house to the reserve and its intended public use.

Original trees from Betty’s garden, the original front brick wall and the gates to the house have been preserved at the reserve. Other features include the door knocker, house numbers, a washtub and plant pots from Betty’s garden. These elements span different scales: the wall and gates preserve features of the house grounds, the door knocker and numbers are individual details of the house, while the trees and pots highlight the garden connection. This makes it possible to understand the memory of Balmoral through several types of remnants, rather than equating it only with the demolished building.

Croydon Railway Station: Expansion of the Line

At Croydon Railway Station, the focus shifts from an individual house to infrastructure. The surviving railway structures date from the line’s four-track expansion in 1892 and its six-track expansion in 1927. These dates distinguish two phases of expansion; together, the structures illustrate the extension of the railway network in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This expansion served suburban development along and west of the line. The station’s history can therefore also be read as part of a broader story: technical changes to the line and the development of the suburbs are linked here. Unlike the personal traces of home and garden at Bell Reserve, the emphasis is on an infrastructure history set in a specific timeframe.

Shubra Hall: Harbour Views and Garden History

Shubra Hall offers another perspective. The estate sits on elevated ground; some views of the harbour can still be seen from its tower. It also retains its connection to the surviving stables and a garden design featuring elements from the late 19th century to the present day. The garden’s timespan distinguishes this focus from the station’s dated expansion phases: here, the emphasis is on design elements from different periods rather than a single phase of expansion.

Historical Highlights for Your Stay

For an overview, the themes can be distinguished by their scale: traces of a home and garden at Bell Reserve, the development of railway infrastructure at Croydon Railway Station, and the longer-term garden design at Shubra Hall. If you’re looking for a hotel in Croydon, this comparison can help you choose the cultural focus that interests you most during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Manilla, Goolgowi, Central Coast, Gloucester, Bargo, Coledale, Hannam Vale, Yarra

For the broader travel guide: New South Wales.