The problem with summer in south London is that you’d have to travel quite a distance to get to a beach.

Luckily, I didn’t have to go through that when I went to Croydon’s new beach.

Yes, my friend and I went to Costa del Croydon, the new beach rooftop experience on Centrale’s top floor.

Costa del Croydon brings the seaside to the city, starting right from the bottom floor.

Centrale sets the summery mood by highlighting various beaches people can visit: Blackpool is 273.8 miles away, Brighton is 42.6 miles away, but Costa del Croydon is just a few steps away.

(Image: Ezekiel Bertrand)

From the second we stepped outside onto the rooftop, I felt like I had gone from Croydon to a summer resort.

The eye-catching sign and colourful set up, helped by the 32-degree heatwave on that day, set the perfect summer mood.

(Image: Ezekiel Bertrand)

Costa del Croydon offers a giant sandpit which invites people of all ages.

Whether it's building sandcastles, making sand angels, or soaking up the sun on the comfy hammocks, I was loving every second.

To look at the clear blue sky while lounging on a hammock truly made me feel like I was abroad, enjoying a serene coastal getaway.

Obviously, it’s not a perfect summer getaway if you’re just in the sun.

At one point, you need to seek some shade, and Costa del Croydon provides just that.

After getting a refreshing drink at The Thirst Trap, Jessica and I sat in one of the sheds with the intention of cooling down from the scorching sun.

It took us only a matter of minutes to realise that it was actually warmer inside the sheds than it was outside, but nevertheless, we found ourselves laughing at the irony.

Costa del Croydon offers tons of entertainment, like the splash zone to run through, which brought out the inner child in me.

(Image: Laura Bates)

Live entertainment was provided by the Croydon Steel Orchestra, whose vibrant melodies filled the air and instantly transported us to a sun-soaked Jamaican beach.

Their rhythmic tunes created a festive atmosphere, making it impossible not to sway along as we enjoyed the tropical vibes.

To eat, we enjoyed biriyani from the Indi-go food truck, which we ate as the sun started to go down.

Each bite was a delightful explosion of spices and flavours that perfectly complemented the warm summer evening.

(Image: Ezekiel Bertrand)

Our day ended with us getting stuck into the multi-coloured bean bags and soaking up the last few minutes of our incredible day at Costa del Croydon.

(Image: Ezekiel Bertrand)

Overall, my time at Costa del Croydon was amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy a holiday experience without all the long travel and hassle.

Costa del Croydon will disappear after August 28, so try it while it’s still here.

Move over Camber Sands and West Wittering – Costa del Croydon is here!