Gellatly Road III, London SE14

This wonderful two-bedroom apartment lies on the ground floor of a handsome Victorian house in Telegraph Hill, south-east London, between Queens Road Peckham, New Cross, and Nunhead. The interiors have been carefully renovated with a natural palette of colours and materials, harmoniously complementing the home's generous proportions and original period features. A conservatory extension opens onto a lush garden at the rear, where a private studio sits sequestered among the leafiness.



Setting the Scene



Gellatly Road sits within the Telegraph Hill conservation area, named for the late 18th-century semaphore station that once stood at the top of the hill. These optical systems used relay stations to transmit information by line of sight, with some lines carrying news of significant events like Wellington's victory at Waterloo. The semaphore system was removed in 1823, when the new railway system more commonly conveyed messages.



This refined apartment forms part of a neat Victorian terrace on Gellatly Road, its stock-brick façade punctuated by a series of period sash windows.



The Grand Tour



Set back from the street behind a neat hedge, the apartment is approached on foot via a footpath leading to a communal front door. Framed by a stuccoed doorcase with intricate mouldings, it provides access to the home’s private entrance.



Entry to the apartment is to a bright hallway, where high ceilings hint at the generous proportions beyond. There is space to store jackets and shoes, and stairs provide access to the cellar, which has been tiled and fitted out as a utility room. Raw plastered walls in natural tones are paired with the original floorboards, which ground the space.



An open-plan kitchen and dining room unfolds straight ahead. Off-white shaker-style cabinets are topped by black granite surfaces, which extend beneath a tiled splashback. There is a farmhouse sink here, and appliances including a gas hob, oven, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. The dining area is tucked to one side, framed by a large bay window overlooking a quiet corner of the garden.



A west-facing conservatory unfolds to the rear, its abundant glazing fostering a strong connection with the adjoining garden. The space is ideal for atmospheric hosting or for admiring the garden throughout the seasons.



In the hallway, a Gothic-style arched internal window offers a glimpse of the second bedroom, which could also be used as a sitting room. Here, the walls are finished in a soft hue, and a large bay window with shutters invites natural light to pour in. There is a handsome cast-iron fireplace with alcoves on each side, original ceiling rose and cornices, and built-in shelving.



The principal bedroom is set toward the rear, a calm retreat connected to the garden via large, glazed doors. The walls are washed in deep 'Red Earth' by Farrow and Ball and complemented by dark accents. There are two floor-to-ceiling fitted wardrobes and additional built-in storage.



The bathroom is similarly serene, with tiled walls and floors. It has a shower over a bathtub with a Crittall-style screen and a heated towel rail.



The Great Outdoors



At the back of the house is a densely planted garden accessible from the conservatory. A true haven, it provides visual interest throughout the season, and in the spring and summer, roses bring colour and scent.



There is a raised patio with space for dining outside in the warmer season, along with dedicated areas for lounging and sitting. Mature trees line its perimeter, providing an enhanced sense of privacy.



At the foot of the garden lies a spacious, insulated office/studio equipped with wiring and WiFi connectivity.



Out and About



Gellatly Road, with its soaring views of the City skyline, is excellently located between the thriving areas of Nunhead, Peckham, Brockley and New Cross. The area is chock-full of highly regarded restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs, including the award-winning Skehan's close by, the Gengelly brothers’ Earl of Derby just around the corner and the community-driven Hill Station Café at the top of the hill with regular live music and D4-100 pizzeria.



The area boasts ample green space: just up the street is Telegraph Hill Park, a 10-acre late-Victorian public park formally opened in 1895. The dog-friendly upper section of the park offers captivating views over the city and newly refurbished tennis courts. Crowds flock there for summer sunsets. The magical lower park offers a weekly farmer's market and an immensely popular children's play club set next to a well-equipped playground. The popular Nunhead Cemetery - one of London’s Magnificent Seven, established during the Victorian era – has many peaceful, tree-lined paths to explore and Peckham Rye’s Japanese gardens and lawn bowls are located a walk away.



Nearby Nunhead and its famous Evelina Road has a village-like feel, with an old-school greengrocer, an excellent fishmonger, Mother Superior deli and wine bar, El Vermut for negroni lovers and Good Cup for coffee. Nunhead Gardener, an atmospheric garden nursery, is tucked under the railway arches by Nunhead station. Slightly further afield, Bellenden Road has become a centre for some excellent independent restaurants, bars, and shops, including Artusi, The Begging Bowl and Flock & Herd butchers.



The Bussey Building, off Rye Lane, hosts an active and varied programme of yoga/dance classes and workshops, along with a residency from the Royal Court Theatre. Peckham Levels hosts street food, bars and cafes, along with live music. During the summer months, the roof of this former car park has art exhibitions and panoramic views from Frank's Cafe.



Highly regarded Haberdashers' Hatcham Free School, Edmund Waller and John Stainer primary schools are all nearby, while Haberdashers' Hatcham College secondary school is also a short walk away.



Travel options are excellent: Nunhead station is a six-minute walk away, with direct services to Victoria in 16 minutes, and Thameslink to Blackfriars (18 minutes), as well as King's Cross and beyond. Queens Road Peckham rail station is a 13-minute walk away, with services to London Bridge in approximately eight minutes. Overground (Windrush line) services run to Dalston Junction via Canada Water (Jubilee line) in approximately 30 minutes, and to Clapham Junction in 20 minutes. There are also numerous bus routes in the area.



Council Tax Band: B