Sydenham Lettings Estate Agents

Getting aroundSydenham is very well connected and a short hop (15 minutes) into Central London. Three stations, Sydenham, Sydenham Hill and Lower Sydenham take you to London Bridge, Victoria, Waterloo, Charing Cross and Cannon Street. You can also access Canada Water, Shadwell, Whitechapel, Shoreditch and Islington from Sydenham Overground station. Bus routes link the area to other destinations in Central and South London.Local vibeSydenham grew from a collection of cottages to a popular neighbourhood in the early 19th century with the arrival of the railway. Now a large, bustling town, its history means there’s a huge variety of housing stock, from Victorian terraces and Edwardian villas to post war houses and flats.Local amenities serve you well; good cafés, popular with mums during the day and families at the weekends, some extremely good restaurants, including Britain’s best takeaway (Millennium Tandoori, 2013) and a very fine pub in The Dolphin. Visit Trattoria Raffaele for tasty Italian fare, 161 Food + Drink for organic wines, and award-winning bookshop and cultural hub Kirkdale Bookshop for all your literary needs! Sydenham Art Festival has been running since 2009 and now encompasses music, theatre, dance, art and film, at venues indoors and out. With a number of independent shops selling everything from baked goods to furniture, and a selection of banks and supermarkets, Sydenham’s high street proves extremely convenient.SchoolsEliot Bank and Haseltine are two of many good primary schools (Eliot Bank achieving Ofsted’s ‘Outstanding’ classification) . Sydenham School for girls and Forest Hill School for boys are local secondary favourites. Sydenham High School is the independent girls’ option and the nearby mixed Harris City Academy Crystal Palace is highly regarded. In neighbouring Forest Hill the LIFE school (Learn in a Friendly Environment) provides education, support and guidance to pupils at risk of being excluded from mainstream education.What’s special?It has to be the parks - three in the vicinity, two of which are Green Flag Awarded, and many more in surrounding areas. Mayow Park offers the lovely Brown & Green Café as well as a playground, tennis courts, table tennis and plenty of space for sports and relaxing. The woodland at Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox’s Walk is a good spot for birdwatchers (you may see woodpeckers) and the Wood House is a gastropub with a country-feel and fantastic beer garden. The always-popular Wells Park has an active spring in the grounds, with a splash park much-loved by children throughout the Summer months. Both the nature reserve of Dacres Wood and Crystal Palace Park and its famous dinosaurs are just a short distance away.Facts about Sydenham (once known as Shippenham):- Sydenham Hill was once the site of the Great North Wood, where former Kings of England would indulge in hunting deer and boar.- Eleanor Marx, daughter of Karl Marx, purchased her house at Sydenham’s 7 Jews Walk in 1895.- St Bartholomew’s Church is the focal point in Camille Pissarro’s painting  ‘The Avenue, Sydenham’, which is now housed in the National Gallery.- Population: In the last census the population of  Sydenham was 17,377 with a median age of 35.- Most of the sales in Sydenham over the past year were flats which on average sold for £378,555. Terraced properties had an average sold price of £664,807 and semi-detached properties averaged at £785,161. *Source: Rightmove

Getting aroundThe 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.SchoolsFor 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}

Getting aroundWith 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 vibePenge 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.SchoolsAlexandra 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

Getting aroundLocated in Zone 3, Crystal Palace enjoys a fast and frequent service to Victoria and London Bridge, and is just 24 minutes away from Canary Wharf (and 40 minutes away from Highbury and Islington) via the Overground. Road links are good, with Gatwick just an hour away, and the area is served well by buses with a small bus station on Crystal Palace Parade.Local vibeAlthough the site of the Great Exhibition – the iconic Crystal Palace - is long gone, the surrounding parkland offers a great green lung for locals. But Crystal Palace still has a distinctly urban vibe, making it popular with young couples, professionals and families alike, who don’t need to venture far for great restaurants and bars.Highlights include Westow House with its live weekend music, longstanding and always-welcoming Italian restaurant Lorenzos, and stylish cafe, restaurant and cocktail bar Coopers. From 400 Rabbits’ sourdough pizzas and craft ales to traditional dishes from Thai Crystal, this culinary hotspot is the perfect place to meet friends for dinner or celebrate the weekend with family.Fantastic furniture and antique shops are dotted around the Triangle in addition to small independent boutiques, making the area a fantastic place to shop. Day to day essentials can be found in Westow Street’s Sainsbury’s, and just behind this lays The Secret Garden garden centre. The Upper Norwood Library acts as a fantastic community hub, offering everything from author readings to meditation classes to business networking events. For fitness lovers the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre boasts a gym, pools, climbing wall, tennis courts, classes and more. June’s Crystal Palace Overground Festival is an annual, community-led celebration of arts, music and culture.SchoolsThe quality of the area’s primary and secondary schools is a big draw for families. Three primaries in Crystal Palace and Gipsy Hill, all run by the Gipsy Hill Federation are popular choices. Dulwich Wood Primary, part of a federation with Dulwich Wood Nursery School and Dulwich Wood Children’s Centre and Rockmount Primary School are also very popular. The Harris City Academy Crystal Palace and the Harris South Norwood Academy are high performing academies, and there is also easy access to the range of independent schools in Dulwich.What's special?The wonderful Crystal Palace Park, with its dinosaur sculptures, boating lake, farm and sports centre are an attraction in themselves. The vast green space can feel a true escape from the capital, yet the unrivalled views over London’s cityscape serve to remind you that you’re still a part of it all. The areas’ uniquely charming urban feel – it’s history and diverse offering of facilities, from great shops and cafes, to family-oriented fun - attracts a mixed crowd, creating a buzz that feels like you’ve got the best of all worlds here.Facts about Crystal Palace:- The Crystal Palace was originally built in 1851 for the Great Exhibition held in London's Hyde Park but was moved to the-then ‘Penge Place Estate’ (now Crystal Palace Park), reopening in 1854.- Less than four months before the start of the 1966 World Cup the Jules Rimet trophy was stolen while on display to promote the competition. The cup was found by Pickles the dog under a bush on Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood.- Population: In the last census the population of the Crystal Palace ward was 12,255, with a median age of 34.- Most of the sales in Crystal Palace over the past year were flats which on average sold for £371,170. Terraced properties had an average sold price of £615,861 and semi-detached properties averaged at £696,907. *Source: Rightmove

Getting aroundBeckenham has six local stations offering short commutes into central London (Victoria in 20 minutes, Charing Cross in 25, London Bridge in 30). Tramlink connects Beckenham with East and West Croydon, Wimbledon and Mitcham Junction. Gatwick airport is easy to reach at just under an hour away by car, or alternatively by train from East Croydon .Local vibeBeckenham has a long and interesting history with remains of a Roman road still visible in parts. Buildings such as the George Inn date back to the 17th century.Now a leafy neighbourhood with lovely parks and a good community feel, it retains the happening vibe that blossomed when David Bowie created his Arts Lab club at the former Three Tuns pub. Many young families move here, drawn by the good schools then stay, creating the firm sense of community here. By day, enjoy the rich café scene and the farmers’ market, by night the array of superb restaurants and the hub of festivals and concerts in Beckenham Green.In terms of amenities, Beckenham High Street offers a range of useful independent shops alongside a variety of supermarkets and banks. The pool, exercise classes, gym and soft play facilities at the award-winning Spa at Beckenham are another excellent family friendly feature, and located directly next door is Beckenham Library. The area also conveniently boasts a six screen Odeon Cinema.The stunning grounds of Beckenham Place Park are a place of true escape. Once a public golf course, the beautiful mansion (dating back to the 1700’s) and it’s surroundings are open daily to the public as an arts, cultural and community centre.SchoolsCator Park Montessori is a popular pre-school, and the single sex Langley Park Schools are one of the main reasons families choose to locate to the area. Balgowan, Churchfields and Marian Vian Primary Schools are local favourites, all judged “good” by government education watchdog Ofsted. Harris Academy Beckenham is a popular secondary school and sixth form, and was awarded ‘Outstanding’ classification across the board in 2017. St Christopher’s The Hall School at is an independent prep school, and Bishop Challoner an independent secondary.What’s special?We think that the community buzz and cultural hub offered here is something special. The high street boasts some wonderful independent shops and eateries, and the small park at the end of the high street is used by local residents for events such as the St George’s Arts Festival. Alongside culture we should mention sport - the Worsley Bridge Road cricket club, Beckenham Spa, and the Green Ring and Capital Ring walking trails all compliment the green living offered by Beckenham’s wonderful outside spaces. These are just a few of the reasons people want to stay for so long in Beckenham.Facts about Beckenham:- It is the area children’s author Enid Blyton grew up in. She lived in Clock House Road and was baptised at the Elm Road Baptist Church.- The lych gate at St George’s Church Beckenham is reputed to be the oldest in England and dates from the 13th Century.- The majority of sales in Beckenham during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of £362,558. Terraced properties sold for an average of £627,958, with semi-detached properties fetching £724,199. *Source: Rightmove