Chesham Road, London, SE20

A substantial three-bedroom terraced house with generous proportions and a large garden, requiring cosmetic updating but offering significant value in a well-connected part of Penge.

This is a proper family house with over 1,300 square feet of space before you even think about extending. The layout gives you a front reception room, a separate dining room, and a family room at the back that opens onto the garden. The kitchen runs along the side and while it's dated, it's functional—there's a gas hob, space for appliances, and a skylight that brings in natural light. Upstairs, you've got three bedrooms across the first floor. The principal bedroom is a good double at nearly 17 feet long, bedroom two is another double at just over 14 feet, and bedroom three is a single. There's a family bathroom with a separate shower and bath.

It's worth being clear about the condition. The house needs updating throughout—think old bathroom tiles, dated kitchen units, and décor that reflects the current owners' long tenure here. Some buyers will see this as a problem, and this isn’t the house for those. Others will see it as an opportunity to add value without paying for someone else's taste and paying more stamp duty than they need to. The bones of the house are solid, the rooms are big, and crucially, we've priced it to reflect the work needed. Comparable houses on this street that have been extended and modernised are selling for over £700,000+. This one is £550,000.

The garden is a great size, and while it needs some attention, it's a proper outdoor space with potential for landscaping, a patio area, and an outdoor studio at the far end. There's the potential for off-street parking at the front of the house, without worrying about having to drop the kerb.  

Chesham Road sits in a practical position for transport. Avenue Road tram stop is only 0.2 mi away, or a five-minute walk, giving access to Beckenham Junction, which opens up a host of onward connections on the trains, including London Bridge & Victoria. In the opposite direction, you can easily get to East Croydon for access to Clapham Junction and the Gatwick Express. Anerley Station is 0.8 mi away, with access to the Overground’s Windrush Line. Penge East and Penge West are easily accessible and Kent House station is half a mile away which will get you into Victoria in just a smidge over 20 mins.

Aside from transport links, the local scene offers plenty. Crystal Palace Park is a mile away. The nearest entrance on Thicket Road takes you straight to the boating lake and the dinosaur sculptures. The park has Brown & Green café, a Sunday food market, and a weekly 5k park run on Saturday mornings. Beyond that, you've got South Norwood Country Park and Kelsey Park in Beckenham for more green space.

Maple Road is a five-minute walk and has become a bit of a destination—Mabel for coffee, Chez Yves for French food, Café Anticoli for pizza. There's an independent gift shop called Penge Tout and a monthly market with food stalls and crafts. Alexandra Nurseries is good if you're into plants or just want decent coffee in a garden setting. SE20 Cycles does bike repairs and coffee, and is the base for Penge Cycle Club.

The craft beer scene around here is strong. You've got Southey Brewing Co, Br3wery, Craft Metropolis, and Three Hounds all within reach. Slightly further up Anerley Road you'll find Café Chic (their falafel wraps are excellent), Bob Wines, and Chatsworth Bakehouse—people queue for their sandwiches and focaccia, and it's justified.

Crystal Palace Triangle is easily accessible for gastro pubs, the Everyman cinema, coffee shops, and the Saturday farmers market on Haynes Lane. Penge High Street covers your everyday shopping.

For schools, Malcolm Primary is nearby and rated Good by Ofsted. Harris Academy Crystal Palace is Outstanding.