Hill House, London SE5

This bright apartment in East Dulwich has brilliant far-reaching views that extend towards London's dramatic skyline. It lies on the top floor of a converted 19th-century rectory and has a private balcony, a mezzanine study and two serene double bedrooms. Peckham Rye, Telegraph Hill and Goose Green are all close by, and Denmark Hill station - a 12-minute walk away - provides Overground services to Clapham Junction, Highbury and Islington and Shoreditch High Street.



The Building



The rectory is thought to date back to 1880 and belonged to St Saviour's Coplestone. Its architecture is typical of the later Victorian period, employing soot-worn London brick stock, a dramatic pair of gables, double-height pitched ceilings and stucco embellishments to elegant effect.



The Tour



The rectory lies in an elevated position near the brow of Grove Hill Road. Entry is via a communal front door, hallway and staircase that ascends to the apartment's private second-floor entrance.



Its front door opens to central hallway from which each of the rooms emanate; engineered oak floorboards begin here and spread underfoot throughout. The open-plan living space lies directly ahead and is set beneath the pitch of the roofline, a design that amplifies volume and brightness. Double glazed doors can be left open to the hallway to create a circular and open feel.



A sitting area is currently arranged in front of doors to a south-facing balcony. Fitted bookcases on either side of the French doors to it provide plenty of display space; painted white, they blend seamlessly with the pared-back walls.



The kitchen is on the opposite end of the room and has white timber units with an oak countertop. Textured ceramic tiles create a subtle backsplash above a five-ring gas hob and oven. Open shelving here provides an easily accessible spot for pots, pans and crockery.



A mezzanine level has been cleverly nestled in the peak of the ceiling's pitch and is reached by ladder. The current owners use this space as a home office and as overspill storage.



The apartment's two bedrooms branch off from the entrance hallway and are set at opposite ends of the plan. Both have soft woven carpet underfoot and soothingly neutral walls. The principal has an en suite shower room as well as a wealth of built-in storage, while the second bedroom is brilliantly bright care of a south-facing window with low-level shelving beneath.



A pristine bathroom lies adjacent to the second bedroom, with engineered wooden floorboards underfoot and a large skylight set into its sloping ceiling. It has a bath with a shower overhead and additional built-in storage. From the window are uninterrupted views over Bellenden village that, on a clear day, stretch towards the Canary Wharf in the distance.



Outdoor Space



A balcony extends from the southerly aspect of the apartment; in the warmer months, the doors that separate it from the sitting area can be left open to extend out the living spaces. Its orientation makes the balcony a great spot for growing pots of flowers or kitchen herbs.



The Area



Hill House is perfectly positioned for Lettsom Gardens, a beautiful private garden with woodland, sports facilities and allotments. The space is a hub for the local community and a wonderful picnic spot in the warmer months.



The cafés, shops and restaurants of Peckham and Lordship Lane are all a short walk away. The General Store is a neighbourhood grocery store and coffee shop, offering the finest seasonal produce, including Neal’s Yard cheese and a selection of natural wines. Excellent neighbourhood restaurants include Levan, Artusi and The Begging Bowl. Review Bookshop is a fantastic local independent bookshop and Flock and Herd is an excellent local butcher's shop.



Peckham is excellently positioned for a wide range of amenities including the vast number of delis, restaurants, shops and amenities of Lordship Lane. Hannah Barry Gallery is close by, while Dulwich Picture House is marginally further afield. The Bussey Building, off Rye Lane, hosts an active and varied programme of yoga/dance classes and workshops.



The green spaces of Peckham Rye, Telegraph Hill and Goose Green are conveniently nearby for runners, amblers and dog walkers alike. Nunhead Cemetery - one of London's 'Magnificent Seven' - is a beautiful woodland oasis within walking distance of the apartment.



Nearby Camberwell is also well-serviced by a number of excellent pubs, including The Peckham Pelican, The Sun with its large, south-facing beer garden, The Joiner’s Arms, which runs a much-loved local open mic night, and The Prince of Wales on the beautifully preserved Georgian Cleaver Square. Verasion Wines and The Stormbird offer an alternative focus on natural wines and craft beers respectively.



The closest stations are Denmark Hill and East Dulwich, which run London Overground services to Clapham and Highbury and Islington, Southern/Thameslink services to Blackfriars and Victoria, and Southern Rail services to London Bridge, respectively.





Tenure: Share of Freehold | Length of Lease: Approx. 994 years remaining | Service Charge: Approx. £400 per annum | Ground Rent: None | Council Tax Band: C