Croydon to welcome herd of giraffes as part of new art trail

This includes an eight-foot giraffe sculpture designed by local artist Arron Bevan which will appear outside the East Croydon train station, from Monday, August 21.

Named Hues of Surrey Street, the sculpture will be visible from the train carriage from its Ruskin Square location.

It has been designed with a colourful pattern imprinted on it, with the recognisable Croydon tram wrapped around its neck.

The giraffe sculpture has been designed by local artist Arron Bevan (Image: GTR)

Arraon said the design was intended to reflect the “hustle and bustle” of Surrey Street Market, which has captivated him ever since childhood.

Hues of Surrey Street is just one in a 30-strong herd of giraffes, each one decorated by an artist and sponsored by local businesses, which will pop up on Croydon’s streets for 10 weeks as art trail Croydon Stands Tall.

The trail has been produced in association with Wild in Art, Southern Rail and Croydon Business Improvement District and will run until Friday, October 27.

When Croydon Stands Tall ends, the sculptures will be auctioned off to raise £100,000 for national homelessness charity Crisis and its Skylight centre in Croydon.

This money will go towards helping the charity continue to deliver one-to-one support, advice and courses for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless across the borough.

The sculpture is one of a 30-strong herd of giraffes (Image: GVT)

Croydon Stands Tall is one of 14 showcase events for the London Borough of Culture, and to start the trail, families and friends can take the train to East Croydon.

Sophie Finn, Area Station Manager for Southern Rail, said: “We’re excited to have this unique and free experience on our network. We’re hoping that families across London and beyond travel to Croydon to take part in the new art trail."