Sydenham: A large tight-knit community of artists, families and concerned residents

Sydenham is a large suburban district in South-East London that loosely falls into the boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley and Southwark.

It incorporates over 801 postcodes and includes a cluster of different community groups and traditions.

One thing that sets Sydenham apart from many of the other large regions of the UK is the level of pride that people take in the area.

This has given rise to a number of websites and online groups dedicated exclusively to educating people about the area and its history.

One such site is the Sydenham Community Town site, Sydenham Society, Sydenham Town Centre (not to be confused with the first website), Sydenham Library, SEE3 and Sydenham Festival web page.

The area is also recognised for its hilly streets, large Victorian properties and spa houses. Of course, there aren't quite as many spas in Sydenham as there were back in the days of George III.

Nowadays, it is a place of contrasts. It still retains a reputation for being a bit of an upper class hotspot, as it was back in the 18th century, but years of redevelopment, immigration and industry has made it a little bit more diverse and affordable for many.

The end result is a town where an area with high-rises and council estates sits snugly beside a street with sprawling period houses.

On the one hand, you've got quiet little country roads that weave their way through some of the leafier parts of the suburb, that sit almost parallel to other roads that are a hive of urban activity.

Due to the sheer vastness of the area, you can find everything here from local market stalls, clubs and pubs, independents, malls and just about anything else.

Property

There are quite a few bargains and good deals to be had in Sydenham. Nearby places such as Forest Hill and Dulwich tend to get a bit pricey, whereas you can get similar properties for about 15 per cent less here, both in mortgage and rental terms.

In fact, rental prices in this area are particularly impressive, with flats starting from £800 per month with all bills included.

If you are a single occupant, you can easily find a studio from as little as £81 per week, or for larger families, a decent three bed home from £208 per week.

The district is particularly suited to young, up and coming professionals, who may be drawn to some of the spacious Victorian family houses, quaint cottages, sixties townhouses or new builds.

You can also pick up some excellent value Georgian properties here, which are often rented out at a reasonable price, depending upon what your requirements are.

Whatever property type you go for, you are sure to get good value for money. Even with the more expensive rental homes, you have the security of knowing the end result will be worth it.

Transport

As you would expect for a busy area such as Sydenham, transport here is regular and reliable. Sydenham is served by National Rail and buses, and comes within travel zones three and four.

The main rail station takes you to the more central parts of the city, while Sydenham Hill and Penge East stations takes you to some of the more south-eastern destinations.

You've also got Lower Sydenham station, which takes you to Cannon Street, London Bridge, Hayes, Charing Cross and Lewisham.

Community

Sydenham has a very active community, and dozens of groups dedicated to the area. As a result of the moves to preserve the area, Sydenham and Forest Hill won a bid for the national Portas Pilot competition, which provided the funds to make improvements to the streets and develop the area. Financing for the initiative was given by private developers and Lewisham Council.

There are also many local events of interest, which are primarily driven by the residents. One such event is the Sydenham Arts Festival, which takes place in the summer. It includes music, art exhibitions, workshops, and family activities.

Published 27th November, 2014

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