The day is an excuse to ride on trains, a tram, buses, a ship, a cable car, a light railway, an underground railway and your own legs.

The adventure starts the moment the tram pulls away from Croydon. You will visit (either from distance or up close) some interesting and rarely visited parts of London such as:

The lesser visited borderlands of Croydon – Lower Sydenham, Ladywell and the truly foreign territory of Lewisham interchange station.

Historic and modern Woolwich: Royal Arsenal Woolwich Riverside – one of London’s “most exciting redevelopment sites” enabled by Crossrail, the station site of which we will see. See how the Georgian buildings are being transformed into a new residential quarter of SE London. Brunch possible in a quaint pub.

A short and free cruise on the River Thames in a traditional Woolwich ferry.

See how Crossrail is forging a new transport route through Docklands.

Like a bird, peer down at London City Airport.

Take to the air in the Emirates Air Line (Cable Car) – £3.50 on an Oyster card or suitable discount / £4.00 full fare single… (Fear of heights could be a challenge.)

The Aquatic Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford

If we’re lucky a ride on the new Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) rolling stock in service between Liverpool Street and Shenfield in readiness for Crossrail’s initial partial opening in December.

Ride on a hydrogen powered bus and take in Tower Bridge and some secrets sights south of the river to cross Waterloo Bridge and end at Covent Garden (call in London’s Transport Museum café / shop or retire to a pub).

Epilogue – possible passage through the new “Bermondsey dive under” by train on way back to Croydon from the newly enlarged London Bridge.

Meet at East Croydon at 10.10am to catch the 10.19am tram to Elmers End or board at Addiscombe / meet at Elmers End at 10.35 etc.

Tickets – you will need a ticket(s) / card (s) that will enable you to travel from Croydon on buses, the underground, Docklands Light Railway, national rail and tram. The Emirates Air Line (cable car at North Greenwich) is £3.50 / £4.00 extra which you pay by touching in or buying an additional ticket at the facility.

Refreshments – there will be a number of cafes with toilets on route and also public spaces where you can eat your own packed lunch / food. Toilets at a few places. There will be an opportunity for brunch / morning coffee at Woolwich with toilet stop. I plan to end the day at a pub in Covent Garden where hot food may be obtained.