Penge and Anerley Area Guide
Getting around
With Penge East's 18 minute rail connection to London Victoria, and both Penge West & Anerley's city routes to London Bridge and Canada Water/Canary Wharf, it's fair to say this area is excellently connected to London's transport network. Penge and Anerley are well serviced by local bus routes linking south London with central and night bus services, and nearby Tramlink, which provides fast access to London Docklands, Croydon and Wimbledon.
Crystal Palace Station is within short walking distance offering further National Rail and Overground options, as are Clock House, Kent House, New Beckenham, Sydenham and Birkbeck stations.
Local vibe
Penge and Anerley offer lots of open green spaces and a friendly community feel just a short hop from central London. Crystal Palace Park, with its maze, lake, National Sports Centre and world famous dinosaurs, is just a short stroll away. Local café chain Brown & Green have a beautiful architecturally-designed park cafe (which is technically located in Penge!), complete with an upstairs community area hosting classes including yoga and toddler music sessions. Gastropubs serve up delicious Sunday roasts, with The Alexandra throwing craft ales, live music, quiz nights and cocktails into the mix. The Bridge House is another fantastic family-friendly pub offering great food and a beer garden.
The beautiful gothic architecture of the Royal Waterman Almshouses and some splendid churches remind you of the neighbourhood’s history, and the quaint Alexandra Nurseries (near Alexandra Park and surrounding conservation area), with it's vintage shop and cosy cafe, offers the perfect weekend relaxation spot.
Schools
Alexandra Infant School, Harris Primary Academy Kent House, and Stewart Fleming are among local primary schools to have achieved Ofsted's ‘Outstanding’ classification. Two highly regarded academies provide secondary school education and there are plenty of private options in the area: Dulwich College, Sydenham High, St Dunstans, James Allen’s Girls School and Rosemead.
What’s special?
Cheaper than Beckenham but very close by, Penge and Anerley are on the up, with more independent shops and restaurants opening. It’s definitely an area to watch with some wonderful, spacious housing stock at more affordable prices than other areas but offering the same access to fantastic green spaces, renowned sporting facilities, excellent transport options and great schools.
Facts about Penge (the town at the 'edge of the wood'):
- Penge was once a small town, which was recorded under the name Penceat in an Anglo-Saxon deed dating from 957. Historians generally believe the name of the town is derived from the Celtic word Penceat, which means "edge of wood" and refers to the fact that the surrounding area was once covered in a dense forest.
- Notable residents of Penge have included Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones, Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols, Thomas Crapper (credited with inventing the flush toilet) and French impressionist painter Camille Pissarro.
- Population: In the last census the population of the Penge and Cator ward (including Anerley) was 18,909, with a median age of 35.
- The overall average house price in Penge is £440,146 and £430,109 in Anerley. *Source: Rightmove