Editing Purley, London

{{distinguish|Purley on Thames}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                  = England
| map_type                 = Greater London
| region                   = London
| population               =
| official_name            = Purley
| coordinates              = {{coord|51.3373|-0.1141|display=inline,title}}
| os_grid_reference        = TQ313615
| london_borough           = Croydon
| post_town                = PURLEY
| postcode_area            = CR
| postcode_district        = CR8
| dial_code                = 020
| constituency_westminster = [[Croydon South (UK Parliament constituency)|Croydon South]]
| static_image_name        = Pizza Express, Purley - geograph.org.uk - 932445.jpg
| static_image_caption     = Street scene in town centre with local [[Pizza Express]] branch, formerly the [[Westminster Bank]] in the foreground 
}}
'''Purley''' is an area of the [[London Borough of Croydon]] in [[London]], England, {{convert|11.7|miles|km}} south of [[Charing Cross]], with a history going back at least 800 years. It was originally granted as an estate from holdings at Sanderstead and until as a district of Surrey and then, with neighbouring [[Coulsdon]], as an urban district that became an [[Ward (electoral subdivision)|electoral ward]] of the London Borough of Croydon, becoming part of the ceremonial county of London, in 1965. In 2018 the Purley ward was divided into two: [[Purley & Woodcote (ward)|Purley and Woodcote]], and [[Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown (ward)|Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown]].

Purley is a suburban area of South London, and the quintessential suburban environment has been referenced in fictional and popular culture, most notably as the setting for the long running ''[[Terry and June]]'' sitcom.

Purley had a population of 15,184 in 2022.

==History==
===Toponymy===
The name derives from an estate, mentioned in about 1200 when it was deeded to one William de Pirelea, son of Osbert de Pirelea by the abbot of St. Peter's monastery near Winchester.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Birch |first1=Walter de Gray |title=Domesday Book: A Popular Account of the Exchequer Manuscript So Called, with Notices of the Principal Points of General Interest which it Contains |date=1887 |publisher=Society for promoting Christian knowledge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5SQLAAAAYAAJ |quote=Another example of the late use of the term ‘’hida’’ is that afforded by the Ad. Ch. 24,613 in the British Museum collection. In this deed John, abbot of St. Peter’s monastery at Hyde, or Newminster, outside the city of Winchester, confirms a grant to William de Pirelea, son of Osbert de Pirelea, of “dimidiam hidam terre in Sandestuda,” or Sanderstead, co. Surrey. The date is about A.D. 1200. |page=232|language=en}}</ref> The original meaning of Purley was probably a wood or clearing where pear trees grow,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mills |first1=A. D. |title=Purley |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199566785.001.0001/acref-9780199566785-e-1155 |website=A Dictionary of London Place-Names |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=10 September 2022 |language=en |doi=10.1093/acref/9780199566785.001.0001 |date=2010|isbn=978-0-19-956678-5 }}</ref> derived from "Pirlea", which is from Anglo Saxon {{lang|ang|pir}}, pear or {{lang|ang|pirige}}, pear tree and {{lang|ang|leá}}, a clearing or a place.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tichy |first1=Ondrej |last2=Rocek |first2=Martin |title=Bosworth-Toller's Anglo-Saxon Dictionary online |url=https://bosworthtoller.com/ |website=Bosworth-Toller's Anglo-Saxon Dictionary online |access-date=9 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

===Local government===
Under the [[Local Government Act 1894]], Purley became part of the [[Croydon Rural District]] of [[Surrey]]. In 1915 Purley and the neighbouring town of [[Coulsdon]] formed the [[Coulsdon and Purley Urban District]] which was based at the [[Purley Council Offices]].<ref>{{NHLE|desc= Purley Council Offices including attached railings|num=1063902|access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref> The council was abolished in 1965, under the [[London Government Act 1963]], and its area transferred to [[Greater London]] and used to form part of the London Borough of Croydon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Timeline of Croydon Borough {{!}} Croydon Council |url=https://www.croydon.gov.uk/council-and-elections/mayor-croydon/history-mayor-croydon/timeline-croydon-borough |website=www.croydon.gov.uk |access-date=10 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

The urban district council was based in a colonial-style building opened in 1930. The building, on the [[A23 road|A23]] Brighton Road near [[Reedham railway station (London)|Reedham Station]], became the property of the London Borough of Croydon and was sold to developers. It was left derelict for many years but was converted into flats in 2012. Plans to dig under the building and build additional flats were refused in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Permission refused for Purley Town Hall's underground flats |url=https://insidecroydon.com/2015/07/30/permission-refused-for-purley-town-halls-underground-flats/ |website=Inside Croydon |access-date=4 December 2019 |date=30 July 2015}}</ref>

===Aviation===
[[RAF Kenley|Kenley Aerodrome]], to the south of the town, is currently official property of the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]. It was one of the key fighter stations – together with [[Croydon Airport]] and [[Biggin Hill]] – during the [[World War II]] support of Dunkirk, Battle of Britain and for the defence of London.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/41/a1994141.shtml|title=BBC - WW2 People's War - The Bombing of Kenley Aerodrome 1940|website=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Truelove |first1=Sam |title=The incredible history of RAF Kenley which opened 100 years ago |url=https://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/news/history/the-incredible-history-raf-kenley-464010 |access-date=4 December 2019 |work=The Croydon Advertiser |date=12 September 2017}}</ref>

===Suburban growth===
[[File:Purley Council Office.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|The former [[Purley Council Offices]] on Brighton Road, Purley. Now a residential development.]]
Purley grew rapidly in the 1920s and 1930s, providing spacious homes in a green environment. Northeast Purley stretches into the chalk hill spurs of the [[North Downs]].

One road, [[Promenade de Verdun War Memorial|Promenade de Verdun]], created by William Webb, has a distinction all of its own. It is 600 yards (550&nbsp;m) long and has on one side [[Lombardy poplar]]s planted in local soil mixed with French earth specially shipped over to the UK. A plaque at one end of the road explains that the French Ministry of the Interior donated the soil from [[Armentières]], as a memorial to the alliance of [[World War One]] and the soldiers who died. At the other end stands an obelisk carved from a single piece of stone with the inscription "Aux soldats de France morts glorieusement pendant la Grande Guerre".<ref>{{cite web|title=Promenade de Verdun history|url=https://www.croydon.gov.uk/sites/default/files/articles/downloads/promenade-de-verdun-history.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414172205/https://www.croydon.gov.uk/sites/default/files/articles/downloads/promenade-de-verdun-history.pdf |archive-date=2018-04-14 |url-status=live|website=croydon.gov.uk|publisher=London Borough of Croydon|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref>

In [[World War Two]], the 32nd Surrey Battalion of the [[Home Guard (United Kingdom)|Home Guard]] was known as the Factory Battalion, and had the specific task of guarding the Purley Way factories: its units were mainly based on staff from the individual firms. The factories adjoining [[Croydon Airport]] took the worst of the air raid of 15 August 1940: the British NSF factory was almost entirely destroyed, and the [[Bourjois]] factory gutted, with a total of over sixty civilian deaths.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.croydononline.org/history/places/purleyway.asp |title=London Borough of Croydon : Purley Way and Valley Park |publisher=Croydon Online |date=6 December 2007 |access-date=12 June 2014}}</ref>

A comprehensive history of Purley and its growth around Caterham Junction (now Purley Station) with the coming of the railways some 150 years ago is found in the Bourne Society's 'Purley Village History' and in its Local History Records publications.{{cn|date=April 2023}}

===Webb Estate===
[[File:The gates to Rose Walk - geograph.org.uk - 2446714.jpg|thumb|left|An entrance to the estate]]

The Webb Estate is a [[gated community]] with around 220 homes.<ref name=truelove /> It began as 260 acres of farmland before being purchased in the 1880s and transformed into [[Edwardian architecture|Edwardian homes]] and landscaped gardens by estate agent William Webb.
Known for having a "garden village" feel with a high level of privacy, it also includes two private schools plus a restaurant and deli.<ref name="truelove">{{cite web |last1=Truelove |first1=Sam |title=Life on Purley's Webb Estate - where celebs flock and homes sell for £4 million |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/life-purleys-webb-estate-celebrities-17069378 |website=MyLondon |access-date=28 March 2023 |language=en |date=11 October 2019}}</ref>

The estate made headlines in a 2002 survey, which found that it had over the years attracted the highest-earning residents in the UK, having established itself as an attractive destination for wealthy [[City of London|city workers]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1397430/Purley-laughs-all-the-way-to-the-bank.html |title=Purley laughs all the way to the bank |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |date=16 June 2002 |access-date=12 November 2010}}</ref>

Notable people to have lived on the Webb Estate include singer [[Francis Rossi]], footballer [[Wilfried Zaha]], television presenter [[Laura Hamilton]], and former [[Downing Street Press Secretary]] [[Bernard Ingham]].<ref name=truelove />

== Geography ==
[[File:Purley Postal Area2.png|thumb|upright=1.3|Map of Purley Postal District]]
The Purley postal district encompasses Purley high street and extends through Woodcote to the West, includes the Peaks Hill area to the North, and borders Purley Oaks in South Croydon. To the East it includes [[Riddlesdown]] and to the South it borders Kenley and Coulsdon.<ref>{{cite web |title=CR8 open data dashboard |url=https://www.getthedata.com/outcode/CR8 |website=www.getthedata.com |access-date=12 September 2022}}</ref> The current electoral ward of Purley and Woodcote is largely co-extensive with the postal district,<ref>{{cite web |title=Purley & Woodcote - MapIt |url=https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/151790.html |website=mapit.mysociety.org}}</ref> but Riddlesdown is now in the neighbouring Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown ward.<ref>{{cite web |title=Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown - MapIt |url=https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/151794.html |website=mapit.mysociety.org |access-date=12 September 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Village Green, Woodcote, London (geograph 1888055).jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Woodcote Village Green]]
Woodcote is contained within Purley. Developed in the early 20th century, it is centred on [[Woodcote Village Green]] and is the location of Woodcote Model Village.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parksandopenspaces/parksatoz/woodcotevillage/wvghistory | title= Woodcote Village Green}}</ref> Purley's Webb Estate lies on Woodcote road, close to Upper Woodcote Village.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Webb Estate and Upper Woodcote Village {{!}} Croydon Council |url=https://www.croydon.gov.uk/planning-and-regeneration/planning/planning-policy/conservation-and-heritage/conservation-areas-directory/webb-estate-and-upper-woodcote-village |website=www.croydon.gov.uk |access-date=12 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

The Bourne river runs through Purley. The river is culverted but can flood in Purley valley. A local history society take their name from this river.<ref>{{cite web |title=How pipes and tunnels caused our 'River of Woe' to flood |url=https://insidecroydon.com/2014/02/15/how-pipes-and-tunnels-caused-our-river-of-woe-to-flood/ |website=Inside Croydon |access-date=12 September 2022 |date=15 February 2014}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Street Scene, Peaks Hill, Woodcote - geograph.org.uk - 1208689.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Peaks Hill]]
Purley is home to a number of schools;<ref name="Schools">{{cite web |title=Search for local schools in PURLEY |url=https://www.schools-search.co.uk/school-search-town.php?town=PURLEY |website=www.schools-search.co.uk |access-date=11 September 2022}}</ref> including four Catholic schools.  Two of which are in Peaks Hill neighbourhood of Purley, and these are [[The John Fisher School]] an all boys' state school (formerly an independent and then a voluntary aided state school),<ref>{{cite web |title=School History {{!}} The John Fisher School |url=https://www.johnfisherschool.org/our-school/school-history |website=www.johnfisherschool.org |access-date=11 September 2022}}</ref> and Laleham Lea School a co-educational prep-school.[''[[Wikipedia:Citation needed|citation needed]]'']

Purley has one of the UK's longest-established language schools, Purley Language College, founded in 1928.<ref>{{cite web |title=Purley English Language College - News, articles and cooperation |url=https://www.cylex-uk.co.uk/company-news/purley-english-language-college_16590338.html |website=www.cylex-uk.co.uk |access-date=11 September 2022}}</ref>

The current schools in Purley are:<ref name="Schools"/>

:{| class="wikitable sortable unsortable" style=" border:solid 1px #999999; margin:0 0 1em 1em;" 
|+Current Purley Schools
|-
!Name
!Type
!Mix
!Status
!Enrollment
|-
|[[Beaumont Primary School]]
|Primary
|Mixed
|LEA
|128
|-
|Christ Church Cofe Primary School
|Primary 
|Mixed
|C of E
|214
|-
|Cumnor House School for Girls
|Primary
|Girls
|Independent
|118
|-
|Laleham Lea School
|Primary
|Mixed
|Catholic Independent
|147
|-
|Margaret Roper Catholic Primary School
|Primary
|Mixed
|Catholic
|219
|-
|Oakwood School
|Primary/Prep
|Mixed
|Catholic Independent
|219
|-
|Reedham Park School Limited
|Primary
|Mixed
|Independent
|113
|-
|[[Riddlesdown Collegiate]]
|Secondary
|Mixed
|LEA
|1517
|-
|St David's School
|Primary/Prep
|Mixed
|Independent
|167
|-
|St Nicholas School
|Primary
|Mixed
|LEA/Special
|103
|-
|The John Fisher School
|Secondary
|Boys
|Catholic
|1004
|-
|[[Thomas More Catholic School, Purley|Thomas More Catholic School]]
|Secondary
|Mixed
|Catholic
|717
|-
|Tudor Lodge School
|Mixed
|Mixed
|Independent
|8
|-
|Wattenden Primary School
|Primary
|Mixed
|LEA
|139
|-
|West Dene School
|Primary
|Mixed
|Independent
|107
|}

==Retail and commerce==
[[File:Purley, UK - panoramio (44).jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Shops in Purley]]

Purley used to have many different kinds of shops such as greengrocers, butchers, toy shops, tobacconists, a restaurant and a cinema. There was an earlier Sainsbury's store that closed in the 1980s, when a new  Sainsbury's was opened at Purley Fountain.<ref>{{cite web |title=Growing Up In Purley - a nostalgic memory of Purley |url=https://www.francisfrith.com/uk/purley/growing-up-in-purley_memory-14801 |website=www.francisfrith.com |access-date=11 September 2022}}</ref> The new Sainsbury's closed in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shock at Sainsbury's closure |url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/8412.shock-sainsburys-closure/ |access-date=11 September 2022 |work=Your Local Guardian |date=8 March 2001 |language=en}}</ref> A [[Tesco]] superstore was opened in 1991, and  there has been a shift in the town's retail offering towards charity shops, restaurants and non retail businesses.<ref>{{cite web |title=Purley Deserves Better- Jasmine Savory, St Philomena's High School |url=https://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/19885522.purley-deserves-better--jasmine-savory-st-philomenas-high-school/ |website=This Is Local London |date=30 January 2022 |access-date=12 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

Purley retail and commerce interests are represented by the Purley Business improvement district. This [[Business improvement district|Business Improvement District]] (BID) is in the second 5-year term having successfully been voted in favour in 2015 and 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Purley business improvement district ballot {{!}} Croydon Council |url=https://www.croydon.gov.uk/council-and-elections/voting-and-elections/previous-election-results/purley-business-improvement-district-ballot |website=www.croydon.gov.uk |access-date=11 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

The island opposite Purley Baptist Church has been refurbished and the Church, under the banner of 58:12<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.58-12.co.uk/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040415220307/http://www.58-12.co.uk/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 April 2004 |title=58-12.co.uk |publisher=58-12.co.uk |access-date=12 November 2010}}</ref> (a company and charity set up by the Church) are planning to redevelop it. Other partners in the development of a strategy for the regeneration of central Purley include the Purely Business improvement district, the Purley & Woodcote Residents' Association and Purley Rotary who actively participate in the Neighbourhood Partnership forums hosted by Croydon Council.[''[[Wikipedia:Citation needed|citation needed]]'']

==Demography==
As of 2022, the largest ethnic group in Purley & Woodcote was '''‘White’''', constituting 56.97% of the total population. The ‘'''Asian'''’ ethnic group was second largest, making up 20.13%, while ‘'''Black''', Caribbean or African’ accounted for 11.73% of the population. '''Mixed/'''multiple ethnicities made up 7.5%. '<nowiki/>'''Other ethnic groups'''' account for 3% of the population. The smallest ethnic group was ''''Arab',''' making up only 0.6% of the wards population.

71.4% of the wards population were born in the UK. The remaining 28.6% were from overseas, with the largest amount being listed as from 'The Middle East & Asia'.

The largest religion was listed as '''Christianity''', at 51.3%. The second largest religion was '''Islam''', at 9.5%. Third was '''Hinduism''', at 8.2%. Following that were '''Sikhism''' at 1%, '''Buddhism''' at 0.9%, '''Judaism''' at 0.2% and '<nowiki/>'''Other Religion'''<nowiki/>' at 0.8%. As well as this, ''''No Religion'''<nowiki/>' accounted for 28% of the population.

==Politics==
[[File:Riddlesdown view.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|Riddlesdown]]
Purley lies within the [[Croydon South (UK Parliament constituency)|Croydon South parliamentary constituency]], where voters have consistently returned [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] MPs to the local seat since 1974. Purley has been staunchly conservative and its amalgamation into the London borough of Croydon in 1965 helped consolidate the middle class domination of that borough.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Saunders |first1=Peter |title=Urban Politics: A Sociological Interpretation |date=21 December 2006 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-41773-0 |page=212 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3NPYeww-U_UC&dq=purley+conservative+since+1965+council&pg=PA212 |access-date=12 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The Purley electoral ward returned Conservative party councillors in [[Croydon London Borough Council elections]] from 1965 up until the reorganisation of 2018.  In 2018, Purley was split into two wards; [[Purley & Woodcote (ward)|Purley and Woodcote]], and [[Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown (ward)|Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lgbce/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/34123/Croydon_FinalRecommendations_20170705.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411025644/http://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lgbce/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/34123/Croydon_FinalRecommendations_20170705.pdf |archive-date=2018-04-11 |url-status=live|title=Final recommendations on the new electoral arrangements for Croydon Borough of Croydon. |access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref>

==Sport and leisure==
There are a number of [[association football|football]] clubs in the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sheltonathletic.co.uk/|title=Shelton Athletic F.C.|access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.purleyjubilee.co.uk/|title=Purley Jubilee|access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref>

Purley John Fisher Rugby Football Club is based in Old Coulsdon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pjfrfc.co.uk|title=Purley John Fisher Rugby Football Club|access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref>

Purley Cricket Club is part of Purley Sports Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://purleysportsclub.co.uk/activities/cricket/|title=Purley Sports Club - Cricket|access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref> 
Purley Sports Club also provides [[tennis]], [[Squash (sport)|squash]], [[padel]] and [[netball]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://purleysportsclub.co.uk/activities/tennis/|title=Purley Sports Club - Tennis|access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://purleysportsclub.co.uk/activities/netball/|title=Purley Sports Club - Netball|access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref>

There are a number of [[field hockey]] clubs based in and around Purley that are part of the [[Southern_Counties_Hockey_Association|South East Hockey]] and the [[London_Hockey_League|London Hockey]] league structures.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/competitions/2023-2024-4362305-adult-south-east-mens-group-4364001-south-east-mens-division-1-oaks/|title=South East Men's Division 1 Oaks - South East Hockey |access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://southeast.englandhockey.co.uk/competitions/2023-2024-4364709-adult-south-east-womens-group-4365802-south-east-womens-division-1-oaks/|title=South East Women's Division 1 Oaks - South East Hockey |access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://london.englandhockey.co.uk/competitions/|title=London Hockey - Competitions|access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref> Current hockey clubs in and around the area are Kenley, Purley, Purley Walcountians and Sanderstead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kenleyhockeyclub.clubbuzz.co.uk/|title=Kenley Hockey Club|access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://purleysportsclub.co.uk/activities/hockey/|title=Purley Hockey Club: Welcome|access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwhc.co.uk/|title=Purley Walcountians Hockey Club|access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sandersteadhockey.com/|title=Sanderstead Hockey Club|access-date=2024-09-19 }}</ref>

==Fictional references==
[[File:Entrance to Purley Beeches - geograph.org.uk - 3591682.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Entrance to Purley Beeches]]
*On television the town became known in the sitcom ''[[Terry and June]]'', in which Terry and June Medford ([[Terry Scott]] and [[June Whitfield]]), had moved after the characters' previous series, ''[[Happy Ever After (UK TV series)|Happy Ever After]]''. The sitcom was set on the cusp of Purley and [[Wallington, London|Wallington]] (on Church Road in a house within sight of St Mark's Church) and the opening credits featured them searching for each other around the (now unrecognisable) [[Whitgift Centre]] – a shopping precinct in Croydon.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morris |first1=Deborah |title=9 fascinating facts you never knew about Purley and Coulsdon |url=https://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/9-fascinating-facts-you-never-1622664 |website=croydonadvertiser |publisher=Croydon Advertiser |access-date=11 September 2022 |language=en |date=2 June 2018}}</ref>
*One of the houses used in ''[[Footballers' Wives]]'' is 7 Rose Walk, Purley, owned by former Crystal Palace FC Chairman [[Ron Noades]].<ref name="Daily Mirror">{{cite news |last1=Flanagan |first1=Aaron |title=Wilfried Zaha set for new £2.5million Surrey mansion - featuring Crystal Palace emblem on the swimming pool floor |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/wilfried-zaha-set-new-25million-6637738 |access-date=4 December 2019 |work=Daily Mirror|date=15 October 2015}}</ref>
*The CBBC children's sitcom ''[[Little Howard's Big Question]]'' is based in Purley, and also features continuous references to Croydon.<ref>{{cite web |title=CBBC - Little Howard's Big Question, Series 2, Why Can't I Get Hold of Sawblaind the Municipal? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00v6hld |website=BBC |access-date=11 September 2022}}</ref>
*Mr Angry, a character on [[Steve Wright (DJ)|Steve Wright]]'s [[Steve Wright in the Afternoon|Radio 1 afternoon show]] in the 1980s, is from Purley.<ref>{{cite web |title=Steve Wright In The Afternoon |url=https://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/steve-wright-in-the-afternoon |website=British Classic Comedy |access-date=11 September 2022 |date=21 May 2021}}</ref>

==Notable residents==
* [[Michael Arthur (academic)|Michael Arthur]], Vice-Chancellor of Leeds University, Provost of University College London from September 2013, was born in Purley.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Winter |first1=Laura |title=Debrett's People of Today 2012 |date=December 2011 |publisher=Debrett's Peerage |isbn=978-1-870520-97-3 |page=42 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S_b0ygAACAAJ |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Jay Aston]], singer with [[Bucks Fizz (band)|Bucks Fizz]], was born in Purley.<ref name="ency">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |last=Larkin |first=Colin |year=2011 |isbn=9780857125958 |page=2942 |publisher=Omnibus Press |access-date=May 27, 2018 }}</ref>
* [[Ronald Binge]] and his wife Vera lived at 18, Smitham Bottom Lane in the 1950s. He composed the well-known ''Elizabethan Serenade'' there.<ref>Norris, Gerald. ''A Musical Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland'' (1981), p. 96</ref> 
*[[Derren Brown]], magician and mentalist, was born and grew up in Purley.<ref name="nyprofile">{{cite magazine |last1=Green |first1=Adam |title=How Derren Brown Remade Mind Reading for Skeptics |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/10/07/how-derren-brown-remade-mind-reading-for-skeptics |access-date=4 October 2019 |magazine=The New Yorker |date=30 September 2019}}</ref>
*[[Kit Connor]], actor, was raised in Purley.<ref>{{cite web |title=Christmas is saved by 10-year-old boy from Purley after Santa Claus crashes his sleigh |url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/11600027.video-christmas-saved-10-year-old-boy-purley-santa-claus-crashes-sleigh/ |website=Your Local Guardian |date=13 November 2014 |publisher=Sutton and Croydon Guardian |access-date=11 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Peter Cushing]], actor, was born in nearby Kenley, and went to school in Purley.<ref>{{cite web |title=Peter Cushing {{!}} Actor {{!}} Blue Plaques |url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/peter-cushing/ |website=English Heritage |access-date=11 September 2022}}</ref>
* [[Brian Fahey (composer)|Brian Fahey]], composer of "At the Sign of the Swingin' Cymbal" (the signature tune to BBC Radio's ''[[Pick of the Pops]]'').<ref>{{cite web |title=Brian Fahey |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/default_content/12774664.brian-fahey/ |website=HeraldScotland |date=20 April 2007 |access-date=11 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Andy Frampton]], former professional footballer, grew up in Purley.<ref>{{cite web |title=Andy's Wimbledon mission - News - AFC Wimbledon |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2013/september/andys-wimbledon-mission/ |website=www.afcwimbledon.co.uk |access-date=11 September 2022 |language=en-gb}}</ref>
*[[Shelagh Fraser]], actress, was born in Purley<ref name="fraser-obit">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/sep/20/guardianobituaries2 |title=Obituaries: Shelagh Fraser |last=Granger |first=Derek |date=20 September 2000 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719091044/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/sep/20/guardianobituaries2 |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=19 July 2018}}</ref> 
*[[Laura Hamilton]], TV presenter and Dancing on Ice Contestant, lives in Purley.<ref>{{cite web |title=TV presenter calls time on village Post Office in shed dispute |url=https://insidecroydon.com/2018/03/01/tv-presenter-calls-time-on-post-office-over-shed-dispute/ |website=Inside Croydon |access-date=11 September 2022 |date=1 March 2018}}</ref>
*[[Nigel Harman]], actor, was born in Purley.<ref>{{cite web |title=Steamy relationship |url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/436368.Steamy_relationship/ |website=Your Local Guardian |date=26 November 2003 |access-date=11 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Bernard Ingham|Sir Bernard Ingham]], Margaret Thatcher's former press secretary, lived in Purley.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sir Bernard Ingham: The uncivil servant |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/sir-bernard-ingham-the-uncivil-servant-112142.html |access-date=11 September 2022 |work=The Independent |date=24 March 2003 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[David P. Lane|Sir David P. Lane]], oncologist best known for identifying [[P53]], went to John Fisher school in Purley.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome {{!}} The John Fisher School |url=https://www.johnfisherschool.org/parents-and-carers/prospective-parents |website=www.johnfisherschool.org |access-date=11 September 2022}}</ref>
*[[Martin Lee (singer)|Martin Lee]], singer with [[Brotherhood of Man]], was born in Purley.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kauth |first1=André |title=Pop History Band 1: Musikgruppen von A bis K |date=14 October 2019 |publisher=Books on Demand |isbn=978-3-7481-7940-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ITK2DwAAQBAJ&dq=%22martin+lee%22+%22purley%22&pg=PA62 |language=de}}</ref>
*[[Archibald Low]], pioneer of radio guidance systems, was born in Purley.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Machine Age |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,717585,00.html |magazine=TIME |access-date=11 September 2022 |date=21 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121045036/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,717585,00.html |archive-date=21 November 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Ray Mears (author)|Ray Mears]], TV survivalist, went to school in Purley.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mears |first1=Raymond |title=My outdoor life |date=2013 |publisher=London : Hodder & Stoughton |isbn=978-1-4447-7819-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/myoutdoorlife0000mear |access-date=11 September 2022}}</ref>
*[[Ron Noades]], former chairman of [[Wimbledon FC]], [[Crystal Palace FC]] and [[Brentford FC]] and owner of the Altonwood Golf Group, lived in Rose Walk, Purley, from 1993 until 2013.<ref name="MyLondon">{{cite news |last1=Truelove |first1=Sam |title=Life on Purley's Webb Estate - where celebs flock and homes sell for £4 million |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/life-purleys-webb-estate-celebrities-17069378 |access-date=11 September 2022 |work=MyLondon |date=11 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Innes Hope Pearse]], doctor and co-founder of the [[Peckham Experiment]], grew up in Purley.<ref>{{cite ODNB |last1=Goodway |first1=David |title=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |chapter=Williamson, George Scott (1883–1953), medical practitioner and biologist |date=May 2021 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/102456 |edition=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |chapter-url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/102456 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Francis Rossi]], lead singer of Status Quo, lives in the Webb Estate in Purley.<ref name="MyLondon"/>
*[[John Horne Tooke]], an English politician and philologist, lived in Purley at the end of the 18th century where he began writing ''Epea Pteroenta, Or, The Diversions of Purley''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brayley |first1=Edward Wedlake |title=The History of Surrey |date=1844 |publisher=R.B. Ede |page=43 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZDhNAAAAYAAJ&dq=The+history+of++purley+john&pg=PA42 |access-date=11 September 2022 |quote=Purley House, on this estate, was formerly the property and residence of the late John Horne Tooke, esq.; whose celebrated philological work inituled, “Epea Pteroenta, or the Diversions of Purley,” was written here, and first published, in octavo, in 1786.|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Wilfried Zaha]], footballer, [[Crystal Palace FC]], lives in the Webb Estate.<ref name="Daily Mirror"/>

==Transport==
[[File:Purley station building.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|Purley railway station]]
Purley Cross gyratory connects routes leading south-east to [[East Grinstead]] and [[Eastbourne]] (the [[A22 road|A22]]), west to [[Epsom]] and [[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]] (the [[A2022 road|A2022]]), south to [[Redhill, Surrey|Redhill]] and [[Brighton]] (the [[A23 road|A23]]), and north to [[London Borough of Croydon|Croydon]] and [[Central London]] (the [[A23 road|A23]] and [[A235 road|A235]]). The A23 north from Purley forms the [[Purley Way]], which leads to Croydon's trading and industrial hinterland and also to the former [[Croydon Airport]], the predecessor of the present [[London Heathrow Airport]] and [[London Gatwick Airport]].<ref name="Travel">{{cite web |title=A23/Route - Roader's Digest: The SABRE Wiki |url=https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A23/Route |website=www.sabre-roads.org.uk}}</ref>

The town is on the main [[Brighton Main Line|London-to-Brighton railway line]] and is served by [[Purley railway station|Purley]] and [[Purley Oaks railway station|Purley Oaks]] stations on that line, and [[Reedham railway station (London)|Reedham station]] on the [[Tattenham Corner Line]].<ref name="Travel" />

===Nearest railway stations===
*[[Purley railway station]]
*[[Purley Oaks railway station]]
*[[Riddlesdown railway station]]
*[[Reedham (Surrey) railway station|Reedham railway station]]
*[[Sanderstead railway station]]

===Nearest places===

*[[Banstead]]
*[[Coulsdon]]
*[[Croydon]]
*[[Kenley]]
*[[Riddlesdown]]
*[[Sanderstead]]
*[[Selsdon]]
*[[South Croydon]]
*[[Warlingham]]
*[[Woldingham]]

==See also==
* [[John Fisher School|The John Fisher School]]
* [[Commonweal Lodge]]
* Purley Language College
* Purley Business Association

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://purleybid.co.uk/ Purley Business Improvement District]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170921115300/http://purleybusiness.co.uk/ Purley Business Association]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180319053552/http://purleybusinessexpo.co.uk/ Purley Business Expo]
* [http://www.purleyfestival.co.uk Purley Festival]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070314004906/http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parksrecreation/additionalitems/openspacesa-z/promenadedeverdun?a=5441 Local Gov. Site Promenade de Verdun]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120420211701/http://www.bournesociety.org.uk/bournesoc/1-purley.html History of Purley Village]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070311030621/http://www.purleywoodcote.org.uk/pwindex.html PWRA, Purley & Woodcote Residents' Association]
*[http://www.bourne-society.org.uk/ The Bourne Society, representing heritage interests in the debate over Purley regeneration]

{{LB Croydon}}
{{London Districts}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Croydon]]
[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[Category:District centres of London]]