Beech Way II, London CR2

This evocative mid-century home lies in a sought-after pocket of south London, a short distance north of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. Its lateral silhouette lies low in its plot, surrounded by greenery and crowned with an arresting butterfly roof. Inside, a wealth of original features remain, from five-finger parquet floors and joinery to swathes of glazing that dissolve the delineation between inside and out.



Please note that the home is largely in its original condition and may require some modernisation.



The House



The house was designed by RIBA architects Weaver and Kormanic in 1956 for the original owners. It was informed by Richard Neutra’s Case Study houses on the west coast of the US and demonstrates many of his hallmarks, including exposed timber beams that extend from the inside to the outside beneath the overhanging butterfly roof, a first-floor terrace and expansive glazing. The home’s door number was redrawn by designer Christian Schwartz, based on the numbers Neutra designed for his own houses.



Coming to the market for only the second time, the house remains largely in its original condition, with period floors, doors, light switches, glass, ironmongery and timber joinery intact. Planning permission was recently renewed for a beautiful scheme designed by Nick Hayhurst and Claire Taggart at Hayhurst & Co. for a two-storey six-bedroom house, building on the existing home. More information can be provided on request, and a full tender pack can be provided via negotiation.



The Tour



Set back from the leafy private street behind its garden, Beech Way has a wonderfully sequestered feel. A driveway at the front provides space for parking, and a pathway winds up to the entrance. Timber panels combine with brickwork on the exterior, upholding the home’s mid-century character.



The story is much the same inside. Immediately on arrival, the porch is grounded by original five-finger parquet flooring, which continues into the L-shaped hallway at the centre of the plan. From here, all rooms are accessed, creating an easy circular flow.



Directly ahead is the living space, a sublime room with wall-to-wall glazing that draws the garden’s greenery inside. Here, expansive views extend across the valley. A door opens to a balcony running the length of the room. Beautifully bright, it has an airy atmosphere and an exaggerated sense of volume thanks to the butterfly roof’s gently slanted angle. Opposite the windows, an exposed-brick wall extends outwards to form an open fire. Generous and versatile, the room easily accommodates distinct dining and seating areas.



The kitchen lies behind the living room, with cream cabinetry. A horizontal window frames views of the front garden, while a side door opens to the rear garden.



At the far end of the hallway are two capacious bedrooms, both with wide, garden-facing windows. A bathroom serves both rooms and has a bathtub and a high-level window welcoming in natural light.



With its own access, the sun room sits slightly apart from the house, making it ideal as an artist’s studio or quiet work-from-home space. Floor-to-ceiling glazing wraps around almost two sides, drawing in plenty of light, while slim pine floorboards run underfoot.



Outdoor Space



Wrapping around the house, the 0.33-acre gardens at Beech Way are immersive and transportive. Originally a display garden from the Chelsea Flower Show, they were purchased and installed by the first owners. The design originally comprised three interconnected pools and a stream; today, the stream and two pools remain in working order. There are also striking ornamental granite rockeries.



High hedges along the rear boundary create excellent privacy, while lawns provide ample space for games and outdoor entertaining. An elevated balcony extends from the living space, enclosed by a wrought-iron balustrade. Doors from the sitting room open to a patio with steps descending to the rear garden, a spacious area studded with mature trees, including copper beech, cherry, silver birch, laurel, and evergreen borders.



A diverse number of creatures come to visit the gardens at Beech Way: the current owners have seen deer, foxes, pheasants, badgers and bats on a regular basis. Birds of prey and herons circle above, and the trees are teeming with a huge variety of garden and song birds. There are also plenty of inhabitants in the ponds.



The Area



Beech Way is one of only two private roads in the area. It sits on the boundary of Croydon and Tandridge boroughs, opposite Selsdon Wood Nature Reserve, which is owned by the National Trust, and on the edge of the Metropolitan Green Belt.



As a result, there are many wonderful green spaces nearby. Croham Hurst Woods, Selsdon Wood and Riddlesdown Common provide miles of woodland and heathland walks, while the Wandle Trail and Wandle Park add further open space closer to central Croydon.



Alongside the amenities of central Croydon, there are several village-like centres nearby, including Selsdon, South Croydon and Purley, with independent cafés such as Aera Coffee House, as well as a good selection of restaurants and pubs.



The area is also well regarded for its schools, including Croydon High, Whitgift, Trinity and Coombe Wood School.



Despite its leafy setting, connections into central London are swift. Nearby East Croydon provides regular fast services to London Bridge and Victoria in around 15 minutes, while Thameslink routes reach Blackfriars and Farringdon in as little as 25 minutes. South Croydon and Sanderstead stations also run quick services into central London.



Council Tax Band: F