Wells Park Road, Upper Sydenham, London, SE26

Charming and chain free artist-owned two bedroom semi-detached house named 'Wells Cottage'.

Owned, loved and carefully-maintained by the current owners for some 21 years, and originally built as a Great Exhibition workers' cottage, you will enjoy two independent reception rooms, and direct plus gated side access to a seriously sunny and mature garden.

Your new home sits within Halifax Street Conservation Area - one of many lovely and leafy CA's in the immediate area. It is situated just off Kirkdale, Sydenham’s original High Street: a place that has interesting historical and contemporary stories.

In the last few years, Kirkdale has seen an influx of new local independent businesses that has seen the area grow as an exciting creative quarter. You are also pleasingly close to strong transport links as well. Bus routes local to you include the nippy no. 176 to Tottenham Court Road. You can walk to either Sydenham (~10 minutes) or Forest Hill (~15 minutes) stations, for regular rail and Windrush line services.

A white picket-fence welcomes you warmly. You open to your front reception (of over 11 feet by over 10 feet) which sets the cottage-character so nicely, with a central wood burner and symmetrical alcove shelving either side. There is soft carpet to the floor. On through and you land in reception two (of over 12 feet by over 11 feet): the natural dining room, with a beautiful traditional slate floor, and solid oak stair treads leading up to the first floor.

The independent fitted kitchen rests at the rear of the house, with timeless units paired with wooden worktops. There is a window over the sink area and a back door next to this - which delivers you to the very-entertaining-friendly garden. Invite friends over for your welcome BBQ through your side gate (which is also handy for gardening waste or for rolling a bicycle or buggy through).

Your garden is a very private, almost secret space. One to be thoroughly appreciated as an outdoor room/extension of the cottage in the warm months. It is a green 'living' space; a sanctuary that is abundant with nature and colour.

Upstairs and to the front of the house you have your principal bedroom. This is over 13 feet by over 11 feet, with a feature fireplace, inbuilt custom-made alcove cupboard/wardrobe, and soft carpet.

Next door is the property’s windowed bathroom, with tasteful traditional-style sanitaryware and fittings, an over-bath shower, metro-tiling, and original boards to the floor.

Finally you have your second bedroom resting over the kitchen. This is 9 feet by over 6 feet, with an east-facing window.

It's a cool spot you are considering. The local demographic notably includes visual artists, designers, musicians, gallerists, architects and writers. This continues a long history of Sydenham being a place for the creative arts and creative connections, e.g: David Bowie, A-ha, Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones), Camille Pissaro (Impressionist painter) and Duncan Goodhew (Olympic swimmer, lived at 32 WPR).

Sydenham and Forest Hill have top spots for food and drink. Most locally, you have the delightful Mont58 coffee shop (with delicious pastries), Mode cocktail bar and workspace, and further along Wells Park Road there is the popular (pooch-friendly!) Snuffle Dog cafe & wine bar. Further favourites include The Greyhound, The Foresters, Sylvan Post, The Dolphin, Sushi Garden, Journey Cafe, The Moustache (wine bar/gallery), Bona, Fat Cheeks and Gurkha’s. Summer night market events every Friday by Sydenham Station run from July to September: a lively outdoor street food and dining market featuring local artisanal foods and independent vendors showcasing culturally diverse cuisines.

East Dulwich's Lordship Lane, Dulwich Village and Crystal Palace's Triangle are also close for many more options. And access in and around central London is easy = a 20 minute train ride takes you to London Bridge for Borough Market and a stroll down trendy Bermondsey St. With the Windrush Line, areas such as Shoreditch, Hoxton, Dalston and St Pancras are all also within very easy reach.

Keeping fit? You are less than 10 minutes from the local swimming pool on Dartmouth Road, two gyms, and two yoga studios. For golf, you have the Dulwich (SE21) and Aquarius (SE22) courses locally.

For green space, you are simply surrounded! Check out Sydenham Hill Wood, Crystal Palace Park (do note you are in easy walking distance of the annual CP Park summer music events, local residents are entitled to discounts on the tickets!), Horniman Gardens, Sydenham Wells Park, Mayow Park and Dulwich Park. Further afield - but still easily reached - are Beckenham Place Park and Peckham Rye Park.