The Lane, London SE3

This typical example of a three-bedroom T-10 type Span house on The Lane – a gently winding row of terraced houses – is set within the sought-after Cator Estate in Blackheath. It was completed in 1964 by Span, a widely celebrated development company that took its inspiration from Scandinavian modernist architecture. The Lane won a Civic Trust Award for Housing in 1964 and is conveniently positioned a 15-minute walk from Blackheath and its railway station, which connects to London Bridge in 10 minutes.



The Architect



Founded by visionary developer Geoff Townsend and consultant architect Eric Lyons in the late 1950s, Span has been heralded as one of Britain's most important 20th-century developers. Many of their buildings have been listed in recognition of their importance to modernist architecture. Responsible for building 30 housing estates over the course of five decades, their tenets for design – light, landscaping and open-plan living – remain utterly relevant and demonstrate their forward-thinking approach.



The Tour



The terraces on The Lane are defined by a simple cross-wall construction with walls of timber and large areas of glass to the front and rear. The restrained palette of materials includes brown engineered brick, white painted timber cladding, sheet aluminium roofing and aluminium sliding windows; it ensures architectural synergy along the stretch of houses, while the white boarding and slatted gates recall something of the traditional Kentish cottage vernacular.



On entry through a boarded timber porch, a dual-aspect, open-plan reception room retains a careful delineation between areas of accommodation, while maximising natural light and spatial flow. Several built-in storage solutions across the plan contribute an uncluttered and relaxed atmosphere.



At the front is an airy lounging area, with expansive glazing on a westerly aspect framing leafy views of the front garden.



The kitchen is to the rear, with its white cabinets and contrasting worktops, offers abundant space for cooking and entertaining. Integrated appliances are by Neff and include an electric oven, gas hob and dishwasher. Glazed double doors at the rear of the plan open onto a decked and well-planted garden.



Three bright bedrooms are positioned on the first floor, with expansive glazing overlooking the bucolic surroundings of the estate. The quiet principal bedroom occupies the rear of the plan and has serene views of the garden. A shared bathroom is also on this floor, complete with a large shower over a bathtub.



Outdoor Space



The current owners have redesigned the garden to include decking and thoughtfully planted sections with ferns and shrubs, alongside contemporary, angular beds. Climbers trace their way across trellis panels and there’s a handy shed for garden storage.





The Area



The Lane is around 15 minutes’ walk from the vibrant Blackheath village, which offers an array of shops, a farmers' market, delightful restaurants, as well as an open heath. Royal Greenwich Park is also close, as is the historic centre of Greenwich – home to several historic landmarks such as the Royal Naval Hospital, the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, and the iconic Cutty Sark.



There are fantastic schooling opportunities in the area; these include Brooklands Primary, John Ball Primary and Thomas Tallis Senior, along with several esteemed independent schools such as Blackheath Preparatory School, The Pointer School, Heath House Preparatory School and Blackheath High Junior.



The area is brilliantly connected by public transport. The house is around 15 minutes’ walk from Blackheath mainline railway station, which is one stop from the DLR for easy access to both the Docklands and City. Trains run from Blackheath to London Bridge in 10 minutes, and around 25 minutes to Victoria.



Estate Charge: Approx. £1,920 per annum / Council Tax Band: E