Fairfield Halls is full of surprises, from its rich history to some jaw-dropping features you might not expect. Whether you're into music, theatre, or just love discovering quirky facts about local landmarks, there’s plenty to explore. Read on for some fun and fascinating facts about one of Croydon's most iconic venues!

Fairfield Halls

• Many famous acts have performed at Fairfield Halls. Musicians and groups include David Bowie, Elton John, The Beatles, Queen, Sister Sledge, Status Quo, and Genesis.
• Fairfield Halls opened in 1962 and the building’s style is ‘modernist’.
• Fairfield Halls is built on the site of Croydon's historic ‘Fair Field’, which used to be a venue for entertainment and social activity, this came to an end in the 1860s when the railway lines were built.
• Fairfield Halls is famous for having a theatre and concert hall – but there are eight spaces in the venue

Ashcroft Theatre

• Home to the Fairfield Halls Christmas pantomime, this year the panto is Beauty and the Beast.
• The theatre is named after Dame Peggy Ashcroft, a famous actress who was born in Croydon in 1907.
• There are 798 seats in the theatre, and it can be converted into a cinema.
• The rear access to the Ashcroft Theatre, for things like staging, lights and set, is so tall a giraffe could walk through it!
• If you look up when you’re on the stage you’ll see the grid, this is the height of a double decker bus!

Concert Hall

• The ceiling is so high that two and a half double decker buses stacked on top of each other can fit in the Concert Hall – that’s HUGE!
  
• The lift to the Concert Hall can hold two tonnes - that’s the weight of an adult white rhino or a very large hippo!