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 a 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
1. Instagram the famous Catford Cat
2. Walk around Mountsfield Park
3. Follow the Waterlink Way
4. Browse the market stalls
5. See a show at the Broadway Theatre
6. Eat delicious street food at the Catford Food Market
7. Socialise at The Black Cat pub
8. Take a yoga class at Yoga House
9. Admire the Water Line sculpture
10. Read a book, study or work at the Catford Library
Ten Things To Do In Catford Details
1. 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 to escape 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
2. 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
3. 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 Statio,n which takes you through Ladywell Fields.
Waterlink Way
4. Catford Market: This market has been part of the town’s fabric since the 1880s, first trading in Rushey Green before moving to Catford Broadway in 1929. After flourishing in the 1930s with around 50 stalls, it closed during the war but was revived in 1976 with 35 pitches. Nearly 40 years on, the market continues to thrive, offering toys, clothes, plants, fresh produce, fish and multicultural foods from Monday to Saturday, 9 am–5 pm.
Catford Broadway Market Stalls, SE6 4RU
5. 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
6. 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
7. The Black Cat: You’ll find this pub on the edge of Catford Market, which is famous for Karl Marx having frequented the premises.
Black Cat Pub, 9 Winslade Way, SE6 4JU
8. 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
9. Water Line Sculpture: You’ll probably notice the striking blue steel sculpture by artist Oliver Barratt, installed in 2006 on the corner of Rushey Green and Brownhill Road in Catford. Commissioned by Desiman Ltd with Creative Lewisham, the 4 x 4 x 7 metre piece echoes the area’s watery past through its flowing tubular form, bringing a bold splash of colour and movement to the high street.
Water Line Sculpture, corner of Rushey Green and Brownhill Road
10. 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. Catford is in SE6 near Sydenham, Forest Hill, Crystal Palace, Bromley and Beckenham. 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.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.