Kent House Road II, London SE26

This remarkable four-bedroom terraced house lies in a sought-after pocket of Sydenham, with easy access to parks, schools and public transport. Defined by elegant late Georgian proportions and original detailing, the light-filled interiors are finished with a subtle colour palette that amplifies the sense of scale. Exceeding 1,417 sq ft, the house is arranged across three levels, with a low maintenance private garden at the rear. Sydenham mainline station is a 10-minute walk away with numerous rail routes into central London and the green expanse of Crystal Palace a little further beyond.



Setting the Scene



Once known as Sippenham, Sydenham has had a settlement since the medieval period. The large Victorian villas that characterise this area were first established in Sydenham Hill in the 1850s in response to the development of the Crystal Palace nearby, built to house the Great Exhibition in 1851.



Predominantly rural until the turn of the 19th century, Kent House Road is now lined with neat rows of Georgian and Victorian terraced houses. Built around the 1820s, this house sits behind a low-walled boundary and a wrought-iron gate. Its pristine façade rises over three storeys, punctuated by double-glazed sash windows and decorative stuccoed detailing. A moulded cornice that follows the roof’s outline completes the composition. A tiled path leads to the entrance, flanked by a welcoming garden that has been carefully planted with the likes of hydrangea and mallows.



The Grand Tour



The front door reveals an airy hallway on the ground floor. Here and across all rooms, a sensitive colour and material palette has been introduced to complement the house’s refined period detailing and generous proportions. Double glazed sash windows with drop down shutters and a HIVE thermostat have been added for enhanced comfort, while bespoke joinery provides abundant space for storage.



Immediately to the right are two semi-connected reception areas, also accessible via separate doors and ideal for entertaining. To the front is the sitting room, bathed with natural light pouring from a large east-facing window. A woodburning stove warms the space, while alcoves at each side are perfect for displaying books and artwork. White-painted walls amplify the impression of scale, balanced by floorboards underfoot.



The same finish extends to the dining area, where floor-to-ceiling libraries provide additional storage opportunities and a tall sash window frame views of the back garden.



At the rear of the plan is a bright kitchen/breakfast room that stretches toward the garden, and French doors at the far end create seamless flow between indoor and out. Stainless-steel units are positioned along one side of the space, complemented by white surfaces and wall-mounted cabinets. Integrated appliances include gas hob and oven by Smeg, fridge/freezer and Bosch dishwasher. The floors are lined with slate tiles in dark tones. A series of skylights introduce natural light throughout the day. Also on this floor is a separate WC room.



A staircase ascends to the first floor, with two bedrooms. The principal bedroom is at the front; here, white-painted walls enhance the impression of spaciousness, further enhanced by large sash windows overlooking the front garden. An original cast-iron fireplace provides a focal point and is flanked by bespoke full-height wardrobes while the original floorboards contribute a warm atmosphere. The second bedroom overlooks the rear garden and is well appointed in soothing sage green tones.



Two additional bedrooms are found on the second floor, where white walls and white-washed floorboards create a wonderfully bright environment. The largest room has a striking fireplace with intricately carved red-and-black surrounds. The second, more modest in size, currently serves as a tranquil home office.



A large bathroom lies on this floor, with a built-in bathtub and separate shower. Elegantly finished, it has dark painted walls and ceilings, and large format tiles.



The Great Outdoors



An inviting yet low maintenance courtyard garden extends to the rear and is accessed from the kitchen. Bordered by roses, olive trees, hydrangeas and leafy climbers, it offers a quiet retreat to unwind or savour the last of day’s sunlight care of a west-facing orientation.



Out and About



Kent House Road is a quiet, residential street surrounded by green spaces and well served by shops and public transport. Mayow Park is a short 10-minute walk away and one of the oldest public parks in the area. Renowned for its fine collection of mature oak trees, the park is home to tennis courts, a children’s playground, a nature reserve and a café.



Sydenham has both suburban remove and south-east London verve. The area developed as an affluent Victorian neighbourhood and has been the home of Crystal Palace FC since 1854. It has long been celebrated for its green aspect, with 19th-century painter Camille Pissarro depicting the approach to Fox Hill Church in his piece ‘The Avenue, Sydenham’.



Kirkdale High Street is a short walk away, with treasures such as Vardo, The Moustache Cafe, and Kirkdale Bookshop. Local amenities can be found at nearby Dulwich Village and Crystal Palace, and the Sydenham Hill Wood Nature Reserve is close by. Much of the surrounding area is owned by the Dulwich Estate, with its strong reputation for conservation.



Crystal Palace is nearby, which was named in Lonely Planet’s “Greatest little-known neighbourhoods in the world”, is a vibrant area with award-winning restaurants and bars as well as a thriving art and music scene. We have written about the area in our Journal.



The area has several excellent schools. For primary education, Kelvin Grove Primary School is within easy reach. Secondary education is provided by Dulwich Prep and Senior as well as Kingsdale Foundation School.



Transport connections are exceptional, with Sydenham station only 10 minutes away on foot providing rail services to London Bridge (17 minutes), Victoria (40 minutes) and Highbury & Islington via the Windrush Line (49 minutes). Lower Sydenham station is equidistant, and runs direct services to Charing Cross (26 minutes). Gatwick Airport can be reached in under an hour by car and around 90 minutes by public transport.



Council Tax Band: E