Tranquil Tram Journey through Croydon: A Scenic Experience
I’ve always thought of trams as nothing more than green trains that travel on roads, and I’ll admit, I never gave them much thought. On Tuesday (September 17), I decided to take my first tram journey from Wimbledon to East Croydon and I wasn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary. In fact, I expected a fairly dull trip, and considering Croydon’s reputation as an industrial and somewhat bleak part of Greater London, I figured the destination wouldn’t offer much in terms of excitement either. But as it turned out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Stepping onto the tram, I was immediately struck by how different it felt from the usual train or bus. The smoothness of the ride was the first surprise – it was nothing like the stop-start jolt I’d grown used to on other public transport. The tram seemed to glide effortlessly along the tracks, reminding me of the gentle, almost silent motion of an airport shuttle. The ride was so quiet and smooth that I almost forgot I was on a tram at all.
Unexpected Greenery
Plus, traveling during a non-rush hour period meant the tram was spacious and calm, with only a few other passengers onboard. I found myself comfortably settled into my seat, ready to enjoy the journey at a leisurely pace. As we drove out of Wimbledon, I noticed something that genuinely shocked me: the greenery. I’ve always had an image of Croydon being a concrete-heavy, urban sprawl, dominated by grey buildings and busy roads. But instead, as the tram made its way through the suburbs, I saw parks, open fields, and rows of trees.
The view was so unexpectedly picturesque that I found myself gazing out of the window, almost forgetting that I was heading into Croydon. I had never realised how much greenery surrounds Croydon, and it completely shattered the stereotype I had in my head. The neighbourhoods we passed were leafy and quiet, with occasional glimpses of people enjoying a stroll or cycling through the parks.
Peaceful Journey
As the journey continued, I noticed how peaceful it felt. The tram glided smoothly from stop to stop, and the rhythm of the ride was so relaxing that I could have easily spent more time onboard. There were moments when the tram briefly shared the road with cars, reminding me that this wasn’t just a train, but a unique mode of transport that felt almost futuristic. It combined the efficiency of a train with the convenience of a bus, but without any of the jostling crowds or delays that I’ve come to expect from public transit.
Soon enough, as we approached Croydon, I spotted the tall buildings gradually rising on the horizon. The modern skyline of Croydon, with its glass towers and busy streets, stood in stark contrast to the green spaces I had admired just minutes earlier. Yet, somehow, it all seemed to fit together. By the time we pulled into East Croydon, I found myself pleasantly surprised by how much I had enjoyed the journey. What I thought would be a routine trip had turned into an unexpectedly scenic and peaceful experience, and I had gained a whole new perspective on Croydon itself.
The tram, which I had initially dismissed as just a “green train,” had delivered far more than I had anticipated. I’ll definitely be taking the tram again – not just because it’s convenient, but because it offers a surprisingly enjoyable way to see a side of London I hadn’t noticed before. If you ever find yourself with a spare afternoon, I highly recommend hopping on the tram from Wimbledon to East Croydon. You might be just as surprised as I was.
