Croydon Road, London SE20

This bright lateral apartment in Penge lies within easy walking distance of several well-loved green spaces, including the inimitable Crystal Palace Park. Inside, it has been appointed with a careful selection of colours and materials. A delightful extension extends into the rear garden, an ornately planted oasis with a brilliant timber-lined studio at its foot.



Setting the Scene



Croydon Road was built to connect smaller settlements, like Penge, with Croydon, once a large market town and an important stop on routes out of London. This house represents the Victorian-era development in the area, when homes were built to cater to a growing population.



The Grand Tour



Stock brick and stucco, the house that this apartment lies within is a traditional 19th-century London townhouse. Entry is via a tiled pathway and a communal hallway.



At the centre of the home is a delightful living room, where the former fireplace has been painted with apricot lime plaster. Shelves on either side provide plenty of space for books and rise above charming traditional screeded radiator covers. Reclaimed Victorian pine floorboards ground underfoot.



The living room leads to the extension, a bright and joyous space with a navy-blue shaker-style kitchen. Thick timber worktops provide plenty of prep space, and appliances have been integrated. Hand-painted tiles from Nina Campbell form a backsplash. Beyond is a sitting area, with a backdrop of contemporary, almost wall-to-wall folding doors to the garden. A versatile space with column radiators, this is a lovely spot year-round and would suit multiple configurations.



At the front of the building, the bedroom is well-lit by a tripartite bay window. Reclaimed floorboards are underfoot here too, and the walls are painted with a soft pink lime wash. Open storage has been cleverly slotted in two alcove spaces.



The bathroom has been thoughtfully finished with green tiles, both patterned and glazed. It has a bath with a shower overhead and a square sink atop a timber vanity unit.



The Great Outdoors



A long garden extends at the rear of the house, with flower-filled beds running along either side of lawn. Nearest the house, a terrace laid with Egyptian limestone slabs provides space to dine outdoors and/or cultivate potted plants.



A tumbled sandstone cobble path winds across the lawn to a studio at the foot of the garden; currently used as a music room, it would be a brilliant spot to work from home amid nature. Canadian Maple floorboards have been reclaimed from a basketball court and re-laid into a playful pattern.



Out and About



Croydon Road lies close to a range of cafés, restaurants and pubs. Local favourites include Carnival, recent winner of the 'Best Community Coffee Shop' at the London Coffee Festival last year. The Penge General Store, has organic fresh produce, freshly baked goods and coffee, and refillable stations. Craft Metropolis, for craft beers, and The Bridgehouse Pub Theatre, for great food and shows, are also near. Alexandra Nurseries garden centre is home to a great cafe and gift shop.



The apartment is a short walk from the Grade II-listed Crystal Palace Park, which is home to a farm and boating lake. Crystal Palace is a vibrant area with award-winning restaurants and bars, as well as a thriving art and music scene. There is also farmers’ market every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as art and film festivals throughout the year. Local favourite establishments include The Alma, The Westow, and the Everyman Cinema.



Penge East station is around five minutes’ walk away and runs National Rail services direct to London Victoria in 19 minutes, and Brixton in 11 minutes. Penge West station is also close by and runs Overground services (Windrush line) towards Highbury and Islington.



Tenure: Leasehold / Lease length: Approx. 148 years remaining / Service charge: Approx. £420 per annum / Council Tax Band: C