Property, Houses and Flats for Sale in Herne Hill, South East London

Plunge into Herne Hill.

Living in Herne Hill

Herne Hill is a smallish residential area sandwiched between the hustle and bustle of Brixton and the relative tranquillity of Dulwich.

With quiet residential streets, one of London's best parks and a growing selection of upmarket bars, boutiques and galleries, it is no surprise that Herne Hill is increasing in popularity amongst home buyers.

Herne Hill is particularly popular with first-time buyers, young professional couples and fledgling families. It is less multicultural than it was, and is now more middle-class and affluent.

Residents praise the transport links, the proximity to Dulwich and the excellent schools. Transition is a word often applied to Herne Hill. Old-fashioned south London pubs compete with modern bars; and people buy a rung on the housing ladder, but rarely stay forever.

The most sought after roads are located to the east of Milkwood Road, and south of Herne Hill towards the area bordering Dulwich - which is full of attractive and generally quiet streets of Victorian and Edwardian family houses.

There are several attractive streets in the corner of Herne Hill, between Croxted Road and Norwood Road, an area characterised by the number of railway bridges which cross the residential streets.

Transport

There are regular services from Herne Hill railway station into London Victoria, London Blackfriars and London Bridge, with average journey times of just 12-15 minutes.

North Dulwich station, which operates services into London Bridge, is more convenient for people who live towards the east of the area.

There are several bus routes operating services to surrounding areas and into central London.

For more detailed information on travelling around London visit www.tfl.gov.uk.

History and culture

As late as the 1760s the area was still very rural. But as London expanded south, it became popular with the wealthy, who built many fine houses. With the arrival of the railway in 1862, smaller houses for workers and artisans were built.

Between the First and Second World Wars Herne Hill saw further development, with the construction of several estates. The whole area was badly hit during the Blitz, and after 1945, priority was given to repairing damaged properties.

New houses were built on the vacant bombsites and many of the larger houses were converted into flats.

Later; the local authority built new estates, including tower blocks such as the ones off Dulwich Road. The result is a broad mix of architectural styles.

Brockwell Park, formerly the grounds of the manor house in the middle of the park, is one of the best green spaces in London, where the annual Lambeth Country Show is held.

The park is also home to Brockwell Park Lido, one of the capital's outdoor pools; and Herne Hill has London's last full-scale concrete cycling track, the only Olympic venue from 1948 still in use.

For further information please visit www.lewisham.gov.uk.