Ten Things To Do In Catford: I explored Catford last week in a bid to showcase Ten Things To Do In Catford. I fell in love with the giant Catford Cat who sits above the shopping centre. There are a few hip hangouts like the Catford Mews (cinema, bar and food vendors) and the monthly Food Market. Mountsfield Park and the Waterlink Way give you splash of nature. With Brutalist and Art Deco architecture, it’s an exciting place to explore. Catford lies in the Borough of Lewisham, South East London with the SE6 postcode. Join me as I share with you the best things to do in the area.
Catford Theatre and Catford Broadway Market Stalls
Ten Things To Do In Catford List
10 Things To Do In Catford List
1. Instagram the famous Catford Cat
2. Walk around Mountsfield Park
3. Follow the Waterlink Way
4. Watch a movie, eat and drink at the Catford Mews
5. See a show at the Broadway Theatre
6. Eat delicious street food at the Catford Food Market
7. Socialise in one of the pubs
8. Take a yoga class at Yoga House
9. Do a spot of bargain shopping
10. Read a book, study or work at the Catford Library
Ten Things To Do In Catford Details
Catford Cat: The giant fibreglass black and white cat is sat on top of the entrance to the Catford Centre (shopping area). It was built in 1974 and has been threatened with demolition but has managed escaped the threats. The Catford Cat does have nine lives! On a wall, close by is a street art mouse saying “Please Don’t Tell The Giant Cat I’m Here” which is quite humorous. Owen Luder was the Catford Centre Brutalist architect, and he designed other buildings in the area including Eros House.
Catford Cat, 134 Rushey Green, SE6 4HQ
And The Mouse
Mountsfield Park: The park was originally part of a house and grounds belonging to Henry Tibbats Stainton. It was bequeathed by his widow in 1903 and became a public park in 1905. Amenities include a play area, tennis courts and a bandstand. It’s on a hill, so you get great views over Catford and Crystal Palace. The People’s Day Festival is held in the park every year.
Mountsfield Park, Stainton Road, SE6 1AN
Waterlink Way: Walk or cycle along the Waterlink Way which is an eight-mile route. It follows the Pool River and Ravensbourne River through a series of parks. The journey starts at Sydenham and takes you through Catford and Lewisham ending at Deptford (or vice versa if you are coming from the other direction). If you’re exploring Catford, you can do part of the walk to Ladywell Station which takes you through Ladywell Fields.
Catford Mews: Inside the Catford Centre you will find a building which houses a cinema with a bar and a live music space. You will also find a few food vendors, including Daun’s Deli serving Scandi Vegan food. The Patty Man dishes up Jamaican patties with plantains. Fuse offers Japanese street food. For coffee and a croissant try Compound Coffee. For more information read my Hanging Out At Catford Mews article.
Catford Mews, 32 Winslade Way, Catford Centre SE6 4JU
Broadway Theatre: Whether you want to see a Christmas pantomime, a play, musical, concert or comedy, you can do it at the Broadway Theatre. The stunning art deco building designed by Bradshaw Gass and Hope is a Grade II* listed building.
Broadway Theatre, Catford Road, SE6 4RU
Catford Food Market: The Catford Food Market is hosted in the Shopping Centre on the last Sunday of the month from 10 am until 4 pm. Try hot street food (tacos, jerk chicken, etc.), cakes and deli delights. As you wander around Catford, you will discover a few specialist food shops selling Polish food, a Brazilian grocery store and butchers, Joy’s Health Sanctuary and the Cake Box who make eggless cakes. There are quite a few Jamaican food places as well.
Catford Food Market, Catford Centre SR6 4JU
Catford Pubs: Unfortunately, the Catford Constitutional Club (Cat Con) has closed (although the owners are fighting against this). Other places to drink include the Ninth Life which is an arty pub and community hub with music, DJs, food and immersive theatre. The Black Cat pub on the edge of Catford Market is famous for Karl Marx having frequented the premises.
Ninth Life, 168 Rushey Green, SE6 4BD
Yoga House: If you’re interested in learning yoga, you can try out different types at this urban yoga studio. Try Hatha, Ashtanga, Forrest Yoga or Hot Yoga. Treat yourself to therapy if you feel the need.
Yoga House, 2-3 Winslade Way, SE6 4JU
Bargain Shopping: Catford Shopping Centre has some bargain shops like Pound Stretcher, Savers and Peacocks and a large Aldi is on Rushey Green. You will find a few market stalls selling fruit, veg, clothing, home goods and toiletries at Catford Broadway.
Catford Broadway Market Stalls, SE6 4RU
Catford Library: The Catford library has books, study areas, free computer access and free WiFi. It’s the perfect place to hang out if you’re a freelancer or working from home but want to be near other humans!
Catford Library, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, SE6 4RU
Ten Things To Do In Catford Information
The name Catford derives from the cattle crossing the River Ravensbourne in Saxon times. Rumour has it that black cats associated with witchcraft were thrown in the river to drown.
Black Cat Pub, 9 Winslade Way, SE6 4JU
Catford is in SE6 near Sydenham, Forest Hill, Crystal Palace, Bromley and Beckham. You can travel to Catford by train, and there are two stations Catford (Thameslink) and Catford Bridge (Southeastern Railways). I went to Catford on a fast train from London Bridge which took 11 minutes. It’s certainly worth a visit if you’re looking for somewhere that isn’t gentrified. To see more pictures take a look at my Love Catford London Pinterest Board.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. Thanks: Homeboy for joining me.