This neighbourhood is at the southernmost end of South Croydon, facing Kenley and Hamsey Green, and much of the areas of Sanderstead and Riddlesdown in the southwest. The southern section of the locality is dominated by Kings Wood to the southeast and farmland to the southwest (corresponding to the area of Riddlesdown Common). The residential and built-up area is generally focussed in the northern part of the neighbourhood, as well as along the high street of Limpsfield Road, which runs through its centre, and which is also home to three churches, all within a few metres of one another. The built-up area is largely surrounded by greenery, which includes the aforementioned Kings Wood and farmland, as well as the Purley Downs Golf Club and Selsdon Park Hotel. The Old Mid-Whitgiftian RFC grounds is also located to the east of the area.

The name Riddlesdown was first mentioned in 1277, which in Old English meant ‘cleared woodland on a hill’. It is theorised that the woodlands were primarily beech trees, which grow well on chalky soil. Years later, from at least the late-1700s, a lime quarry was built to take advantage of the natural resources of the area – it would operate for at least 200 years. All Saints’ Church Croydon is located at the northern end of Limpsfield Road, by the roundabout, and is a Grade I-listed building, built in the 13th century.

Riddlesdown Collegiate has produced many notable alumni, including supermodel Kate Moss, who was born in Croydon. Besides modelling, she also has a clothing line, as well as being named one of the world’s 100 most influential people in TIME magazine. Other notable alumni include Klariza Clayton, who acted alongside Micheal Caine in Harry Brown, and has starred in many TV shows including Skins and EastEnders.

In the 19th century, the Lord of the Manor of Riddlesdown, Edward Byron, began enclosing the area of Riddlesdown Common, which had until then been an area of common land for the grazing of local livestock. One landowner, William Hall, refused to sell his land to Byron, taking the case to the Court of Chancery for encroaching on Common Land. Hall was successful, and in 1877 managed to convince the Corporation of London to purchase the land to preserve it as open space.

There are several oak and ash trees ranging from 200 to 300 years old, which date back to the original Common. The Riddlesdown area has been described as the ‘largest single expanse of long-established calcareous scrub in Greater London’.

The area’s distance from central London and location within Zone 6 means that transport into town can become quite expensive, particularly for those who commute at peak times. It also makes the neighbourhood feel isolated from the vibrancy of the inner city.

Sanderstead for the most part has been protected from the preying eyes of big developers, unlike other parts of South Croydon and its surrounding. Tilbury Lane by Shanly Homes, located a 7-minute drive away from the area, is a new development of 20 luxury one, two and three bedroom apartments, which are all already sold out. Featherstone Homes also has an ongoing development about a 10-minute drive North from Sanderstead on Parker Road, comprising of 6 houses, two flats and a commercial unit.

New development in Sanderstead tends to take the form of low-density multi-bedroom detached and semi-detached houses, such as Oakview House by Bellview Briton Hill by Vita Group, but a few medium density developments have been proposed (and received negatively by many locals). Example of these proposals include proposed redevelopments on The Ridge Way, a residential street off Sanderstead Road, 2 Shaw Crescent (for 4 3-storey semi-detached dwellinghouses and a terrace of 3 2-storey dwellinghouses) and at 18 Rectory Park (to erect a block of five flats and three houses).