Barcombe Avenue, London SW2

This bright two-bedroom apartment forms part of Leigham Court, an early social housing estate in Streatham, south-west London. Its smart red-brick exterior conceals a bright, expansive space within, with soaring ceilings, original floorboards and sash windows. To the rear of the plan, a sympathetic extension houses a voluminous open-plan kitchen and living space, which unfolds onto a generous garden beyond. Streatham Hill rail station is a seven-minute walk away, while Brixton, Dulwich and Clapham are all also within easy reach.

The Building

The Leigham Court Estate lies in a conservation area and was built between 1889 and 1928 for the Artisans', Labourers' & General Dwelling Company Limited. The development of the estate was pioneering in its goal to provide good-quality housing for a self-sufficient community of artisans and workers.

A church, a school and several shops were included in the design, and streets were named following the alphabet – Barcombe was one of the first of these 'Alphabet Streets' to be built. The apartment retains many of its period features, including sash windows and cornicing, with a thoughtful extension towards the rear of the plan a later addition.The Tour

The entrance to the home is under a covered porch formed from a smart red-brick archway. A forest-greenfront door with pretty stained glass detailing unfolds onto a welcoming entrance hall washed in 'Setting Stone'.

A spacious open-plan kitchen and living space is situated at the rear. Underfloor heating flows throughout the space. In the kitchen, large glazed skylights allow light to pour into the space, and cabinets are finished in a fresh white. A tiled splashback adds texture, and there is a built-in oven and microwave. From the living space, smart trifold doors open onto the garden beyond, creating an effortless flow between inside and out.

The principal bedroom is found at the front of the plan, illuminated by light from two large sash windows. A wealth of original features here are markers of the home's 19th-century origins, including original cornicing, ceiling rose and wooden floorboards. Walls are washed in a midnight-blue hue, and a replica cast-iron fireplace occupies a central position.

An additional bedroom sits adjacent, and also has a pretty ceiling rose and cornicing. Here, an original fireplace is decorated with warm orange tiles, with walls washed in 'Veranda Green'. A large sash window looks out towards the kitchen, which also has a window positioned opposite. In the bathroom, off-white tiles adorn part of the wall, and there is a bathtub with an overhead shower.

Outdoor Space

A large, south-facing garden – the only full-width garden in the terrace – extends from the open-plan living spaces. A gravelled area leads to a paved section of the garden, perfect for outdoor dining and entertaining. The space is bordered with railway sleeper planters brimming with choisyas, hydrangeas, roses and cordylines, while tall wooden fences create a sense of privacy and remove.

The Area

There is an array of independent cafes, restaurants and shops on Streatham Hill: Batch & Co Coffee,Streatham Kitchen, Streatham Wine House and Art & Craft, which has a wide selection of craft beers from London breweries and further afield. Other favourite local spots include Mind and Motion pilates studio, Griffin Coffee House, Fish Tale fishmonger and M&S. A Gail's will also soon be opening a few blocks from Barcombe Avenue.

Brixton is easily accessible by bus, where Brixton Village, Market Row and Acre Lane are all popular destinations. The Ritzy Cinema, Electric Brixton and Brixton O2 Academy are much-loved institutions. Another local favourite is The Department Store, a grand renovated 1876 Bon Marche building that now houses collaborative workspaces, a Pure Vinyl record shop, a community Post Office and Canova Hall restaurant and bar.

Nearby are the open spaces of Brockwell Park and Tooting Common. Palace Road Nature Garden, Hillside Park Gardens and Rush Common are also nearby. Brockwell Park is one of London's best and has a lido, a 50-metre pool and a Grade II-listed art deco pavilion, as well as a café, tennis courts and a walled garden. Each summer, it is host to the Lambeth Country Show, as well as an array of music festivals. Brockwell Park is near many great restaurants such as Naughty Piglets and Llewelyn's.

There are a number of excellent schooling options in the area, including Orchard Primary School, Streatham Wells Primary and Bishop Thomas Grant Secondary School.

Streatham Hill rail station is a seven-minute walk from the apartment, where regular trains run to Victoria with a journey time of around 18 minutes. The nearest tube station is Brixton (Victoria line) and is easily reached by a number of buses. Tulse Hill railway station is a 15-minute walk away and has the Thameslink, with direct access to Farringdon, London Bridge, Blackfriars, Kings Cross, and the rest of the line. The area is served by particularly good bus links, with Peckham and Dulwich within easy reach.

Tenure: Leasehold / Lease Length: Approx. 95 years remaining / Ground Rent: Approx. £10 per annum / Council Tax Band: C