Southmere, Harrow Manorway, SE2

Imagine the scene: a beautiful new home beside Southmere Lake, in the midst of so much green and blue space you’ll find it hard to believe you’re still in London - yet just 11 minutes from Canary Wharf. Southmere. Far more than the eye can see.

The Thamesmead Masterplan is a 30-year vision to realise Thamesmead’s full potential and become London’s new town. Investments across 200 acres will accommodate 20,000 new homes and welcome 100,000 residents.

Fully complete in 2023, Southmere Phase One includes £2.5 million invested in improvements to Southmere Lake - bustling with a lively, wellestablished community. Southmere Phase 2 will continue this journey, to be a founding part of an ambitious regeneration story that will create a sustainable, sought-after new town in the capital. Southmere’s first phase is now complete and thriving, with a new public space, Cygnet Square, featuring The Nest Library, Community Space and more.

Breathing new life

Long known for its extensive green and blue spaces, Thamesmead’s regeneration plan prioritises preserving and enhancing the area’s natural and unique assets. This includes new walking and cycling routes, upgraded parks and improved access to the lakes and canals, creating a healthy, greener neighbourhood connected to nature.

Better connected

Improved transport links are critical to the success of Thamesmead’s transformation. The arrival of the Elizabeth Line at Abbey Wood, less than 10 minutes’ walk from Southmere, provides a high-speed link to Canary Wharf, central London and beyond. Plans are also being explored for a potential DLR extension to Thamesmead.

A thriving community

Peabody aims to reshape Thamesmead into a lively, inclusive and green community. This vision includes delivering 20,000 new homes over the coming decades, making Thamesmead one of London’s largest housing-led regeneration projects. When completed in 2050, it will be a place that over 100,000 people call home.

The Thamesmead Festival

The annual Thamesmead Festival, run by residents, takes place on the shores of Southmere Lake each summer. Showcasing vibrant local talent, it was enjoyed by 8,500 visitors in 2024.

Community-led culture: The Thamesmead Community Fund allows any resident to apply for a £2,000 grant to deliver community activities, while local radio station RTM.FM has over 40 residents broadcasting shows 24/7.

Southmere feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of traditional urban living. Yet with the Elizabeth line whisking you to Canary Wharf in just 11 minutes, you can go from work to paddleboard or lakeside stroll in less time than you ever dreamed possible. The arrival of the Elizabeth line at Abbey Wood has transformed Southmere’s connections across London and beyond. There’s also convenient access to the Docklands Light Railway and Thameslink and Southeastern rail services.

Home to the UK’s central business district and one of the world’s leading financial centres, Canary Wharf offers so much more than a place to work. With five malls, dozens of places to eat and drink, 16.5 acres of open space and the city’s largest collection of outdoor art, a home in Southmere means you’re just 11 minutes from one of London’s most vibrant quarters.

As a Southmere resident, you can expect more than just an impressive contemporary home in a stunning lakeside setting. A 16-hour concierge service will be on hand to accept deliveries, hold keys and answer queries. Meet up with friends, connect with new neighbours or catch up on work in the stylish residents’ lounge. There are also communal and private dedicated working spaces, including a bookable meeting room. And when it’s time to unwind, watch a blockbuster or the big match in the snug cinema room.

For a neighbourhood to take root and grow, it needs a wide range of amenities and a flourishing cultural scene. Add to this a well-established community, and you have a place where people love to live. In fact, what you have is Southmere. From picking up a morning latte to browsing the library shelves at The Nest, pop down to Southmere’s inviting neighbourhood hub, Cygnet Square. Taking a starring role in films, TV shows and fashion shoots over the years, Thamesmead’s famous appearances in Stanley Kubrick’s classic A Clockwork Orange is echoed in the orange colour scheme of the Lakeside Centre transformed into a café, creche and creative workspaces for local artists. You’ll also find TACO! (Thamesmead Arts and Culture Office) nearby, offering cutting-edge arts events, including a lively programme aimed at children.

Selling your property in Southmere? Trying to find your perfect home to buy? Register with Chestertons New Homes UK to get the full picture from the experts in the Thamesmead East market.

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