Forest Hill Area Guide

Getting around
The Overground has opened access to Canary Wharf, which is now less than 20 minutes away via Canada Water. Regular trains also run to Victoria (in around 35 minutes) and London Bridge (just 15 minutes away). The South Circular runs through Forest Hill and provides good road links, and buses connect with the rest of south London, with some central routes as well.

What’s the vibe?
Up and coming. With its acres of green space the area has always been popular with families, but thanks to good transport links, attractive architecture and general convenience it’s now also a hot spot for City workers. The area’s burgeoning arts scene has resulted in exciting new galleries, with local artists exhibiting regularly. This has cemented a strong community ethos, and there are a whole host of fantastic local cafes and eateries to catch up with neighbours and friends alike.

Favourites include Bona Sourdough’s tasty pizza, and MeatLiquor at The Dartmouth Arms. Nearby is the Sylvan Post - a quirky pub in an old Post Office, serving food as well as drink. The Signal Pub host regular screenings, quiz and live music events whilst The All In One pub’s craft ales, decked garden area and children's playground proves a firm family favourite.

Forest Hill Pools swimming facilities, café and fitness classes offer further entertainment for all ages, as does the local community library.

Lovers of the outdoors are spoilt for choice. One Tree Hill gives spectacular views across London, Mayow Park is close by, and nature lovers will want to head for the nature reserves in Dacres Wood and Devonshire Road.

Schools
For primary education, Eliot Bank and Fairlawn have both achieved Ofsted’s ‘Outstanding’ classification, or for secondary education, Forest Hill School for boys and Sydenham School for girls are popular choices. There are several good independent schools, such as LIFE School (Learn In a Friendly Environment), which provides support for students at risk of being excluded from mainstream education.

What’s special?
Every school child in and around Forest Hill will spend at least a day at the wonderful Horniman Museum. Packed with stuffed animals, musical instruments and puppets among many other weird and wonderful finds, the museum is a fantastically eccentric place you and the family will want to revisit. The neighbourhood’s creative energy, mass of independent shops and restaurants, great transport links and excellent schools all contribute to create a unique part of London, and a truly wonderful place to live.

Facts about Forest Hill:

- In 1884, London's oldest swimming pool was constructed on Dartmouth Road

- Musician Francis Rossi, lead singer and guitarist of Status Quo, was born in Forest Hill. Other notable residents include Michael Gambon, Desmond Dekker, Boris Karloff and Timothy Spall.

- Population: In the last census the population of the Forest Hill ward was 14,854 with a median age of 34.

- The majority of sales in Forest Hill during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of £409,699. Terraced properties sold for an average of £770,643 with semi-detached properties fetching £974,785. * Source: Rightmove

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Forest Hill Area Guide

Getting around
The Overground has opened access to Canary Wharf, which is now less than 20 minutes away via Canada Water. Regular trains also run to Victoria (in around 35 minutes) and London Bridge (just 15 minutes away). The South Circular runs through Forest Hill and provides good road links, and buses connect with the rest of south London, with some central routes as well.

What’s the vibe?
Up and coming. With its acres of green space the area has always been popular with families, but thanks to good transport links, attractive architecture and general convenience it’s now also a hot spot for City workers. The area’s burgeoning arts scene has resulted in exciting new galleries, with local artists exhibiting regularly. This has cemented a strong community ethos, and there are a whole host of fantastic local cafes and eateries to catch up with neighbours and friends alike.

Favourites include Bona Sourdough’s tasty pizza, and MeatLiquor at The Dartmouth Arms. Nearby is the Sylvan Post - a quirky pub in an old Post Office, serving food as well as drink. The Signal Pub host regular screenings, quiz and live music events whilst The All In One pub’s craft ales, decked garden area and children's playground proves a firm family favourite.

Forest Hill Pools swimming facilities, café and fitness classes offer further entertainment for all ages, as does the local community library.

Lovers of the outdoors are spoilt for choice. One Tree Hill gives spectacular views across London, Mayow Park is close by, and nature lovers will want to head for the nature reserves in Dacres Wood and Devonshire Road.

Schools
For primary education, Eliot Bank and Fairlawn have both achieved Ofsted’s ‘Outstanding’ classification, or for secondary education, Forest Hill School for boys and Sydenham School for girls are popular choices. There are several good independent schools, such as LIFE School (Learn In a Friendly Environment), which provides support for students at risk of being excluded from mainstream education.

What’s special?
Every school child in and around Forest Hill will spend at least a day at the wonderful Horniman Museum. Packed with stuffed animals, musical instruments and puppets among many other weird and wonderful finds, the museum is a fantastically eccentric place you and the family will want to revisit. The neighbourhood’s creative energy, mass of independent shops and restaurants, great transport links and excellent schools all contribute to create a unique part of London, and a truly wonderful place to live.

Facts about Forest Hill:

- In 1884, London's oldest swimming pool was constructed on Dartmouth Road

- Musician Francis Rossi, lead singer and guitarist of Status Quo, was born in Forest Hill. Other notable residents include Michael Gambon, Desmond Dekker, Boris Karloff and Timothy Spall.

- Population: In the last census the population of the Forest Hill ward was 14,854 with a median age of 34.

- The majority of sales in Forest Hill during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of £409,699. Terraced properties sold for an average of £770,643 with semi-detached properties fetching £974,785. * Source: Rightmove