Purley Arms, darts in South Croydon

Photo: CAMRA / WhatPub

Purley Arms: Darts in South Croydon, London

FreeWalk-in2 boardsPool tableLeague pubSports TV

345 Brighton Road, South Croydon · CR2 6ER · Mo-Th 12:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-00:00; Su 12:00-23:00

The Purley Arms is a traditional independent boozer on Brighton Road in South Croydon, and a solid pick if you want a proper pub game of darts without paying for a slot. There are two dart boards plus a pool table, all free to use, so you just turn up, grab a pint and play. The crowd here takes its arrows seriously: the pub fields its own darts team, so expect some sharp shooting alongside the casual frames. It is a sports-and-entertainment kind of place, with TVs showing the football, cask ales on the bar, live music on Friday and Saturday nights and karaoke on Sundays. Dogs are welcome and there is a small patio out the back. Easy to reach from Purley Oaks station.

The darts setup

Two dart boards sit alongside a pool table, and both are there for anyone to use rather than tucked away for the team only. It is a standard pub setup: chalk and your own counting, no automatic scoring or bookable oches here. Because the Purley Arms runs its own darts team, the boards see real, regular play, so on a league or practice night you may find the regulars are properly handy. Pop in earlier in the evening or midweek if you want a quieter board to yourself, and bring your own darts if you have a set you like, though house arrows are the norm in pubs like this.

Good to know

Everything darts and pool is free to play and there is no need to book, which makes this an easy, low-commitment stop. The bar pours cask ales (you will usually find Fuller's London Pride, plus the likes of Bombardier and Courage Best), and the kitchen does traditional pub food if you want to line your stomach. Sports are on the TVs, there is live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and karaoke runs on Sundays. It is dog friendly, has a small patio at the rear and a smoking area. Opening hours are noon to 11pm most days, with a midnight close on Fridays and Saturdays.

Getting there

The pub sits right on Brighton Road in South Croydon, the main road running south towards Purley, at postcode CR2 6ER. The nearest railway station is Purley Oaks, a short walk away on the same corridor, with frequent services from London Victoria and London Bridge through East Croydon. South Croydon station is a slightly longer walk if that suits your route better. Plenty of buses run along Brighton Road too. If you are driving, it is a fair way out of central London, so the train is usually the simpler option for an evening on the boards.

Get directions

Common questions

What is the Purley Arms?
It is a traditional independent pub on Brighton Road in South Croydon with two dart boards and a pool table, sports on the TVs, cask ales and pub food. It also runs its own darts team.
Is darts free at the Purley Arms?
Yes. The two dart boards and the pool table are free to play. You just buy a drink, turn up and use them.
Do you need to book to play darts?
No. There is no booking system. Walk in and use a board when one is free, though they can get busy on league and practice nights when the pub's own darts team is in.
How many dart boards does the Purley Arms have?
Two dart boards, alongside a pool table. They are standard pub boards with no automatic scoring, so bring your own chalk-and-mental-maths approach to keeping score.
What are the Purley Arms opening hours?
Noon to 11pm Monday to Thursday and on Sunday, and noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
What is the nearest station to the Purley Arms?
Purley Oaks railway station is the closest, a short walk along the Brighton Road corridor in South Croydon. South Croydon station is a little further on foot.

Other darts bars nearby