property, homes and houses for sale in Penge

The Crystal Palace first attracted Victorians to Penge; today it’s the quality of mid 19th century housing complemented by good shops, schools and great parks.

Living in Penge

Penge is in the London Borough of Bromley, south-east of Crystal Palace Park, which is renowned for its landmark television transmitter.

In 1854 the Crystal Palace was moved from Hyde Park to land just west of Penge. A fashionable day out for wealthy Victorians was to visit Crystal Palace and then, in the evening, take the tram down the hill to the music halls in Penge.

In 1936 the Palace was destroyed by fire, foreshadowing the Blitz that was to come four years later.

Post-war, Penge took a while to recover but, in recent years, quality Victorian villas and stone-built almshouses, classic Edwardian terraces, leafy streets, delightful parks and excellent transport links, are attracting people all over again.

Today, Penge has a lot to offer its residents including numerous primary and secondary schools, a good choice of local restaurants, coffee shops and pubs, a small shopping centre, and the oldest working police station in London.

Neighbouring Sydenham has two excellent local parks and Crystal Palace Park is a wonderful open space with a Sports Arena and Sports Hall, tennis courts, lakes and playing fields.

North of Upper Sydenham is Dulwich Wood, a vast haven for nature, and Sydenham Hill with its golf course, sports grounds and country park.

To the south of Penge is Betts Park in Anerley, and half a mile on is the great green expanse of South Norwood Country Park, with playing fields, pitch & putt, and a running track.

Transport

Residents in Penge are served by four railway stations within one mile of each other: Anerley, Penge West, Penge East, and Crystal Palace.

Anerley and Penge West stations provide a swift link to London Bridge, Waterloo East and Charing Cross and south to Norwood Junction and West Croydon.

Penge East provides services to London Victoria; and to Bromley South and Orpington.

Crystal Palace provides services to Clapham Junction, West Brompton and north to Watford Junction.

For information regarding bus routes that serve the Penge area and for the London Underground, please visit www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/default.aspx.

For details of train services please visit www.nationalrail.co.uk.

History and culture

The name ‘Penge’ seems to raise a smile, which is unfair as the area has a great deal going for it. ‘Penge’ derives from the Celtic word ‘Penceat’ which means ‘edge of wood’ and dense patches of forest still remain across south-east London.

Penge was the childhood home of William George Perks, who became famous as the bass guitar player Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones.

Thomas Crapper, the Victorian plumbing manufacturer, lived in Thornsett Road, south Penge - be careful what you invent!

The Civic Halls in Penge are used for weddings, clubs and seminars, and Anerley Town Hall opposite Anerley station hosts dramas, dances and concerts.

For further information about Penge, please visit the London Borough of Bromley at www.bromley.gov.uk.