Forest Hill Area Guide
Architecture and property
When walking around Forest Hill and taking a closer look at the streets and the buildings, you get a real sense of the history of the place. Like so much of South London, you can see the changes over the last two centuries in the architecture. Find echoes of the development of the South Ward, the effects of 20th Century urban planning, along with the blitz. From the hidden gems of Regency Stucco fronted properties, and late 1800s popularisation that followed the Train lines, Forest Hill also has the advantage of award winning post-war 60s architecture including Walter Seigel’s almost ‘cult’ designed homes.
Eating and drinking
Forest Hill provides all sorts of options for London’s eaters and drinkers. You can find some of London's finest coffee in the independent coffee houses like St Davids Coffee House, and sample a delicious sweet treat at Canvas & Cream. There are pubs, gastro pubs, shabby chic pubs and classic pubs. Our personal favourite is the little known Blythe Hill Tavern on Stanstead Road, which offers great ale and possibly one of the best pints of Guinness outside of Ireland.
Parks and commons
While much of South London is blessed with landscaped urban green spaces, Forest Hill has just that little bit more to offer. Take a step back from the chaos of the capital by looking at London's skyline from Horniman Gardens. There are many woodland walks in Forest Hill were you could easily imagine the old railway tracks dismantled after the Beeching Report, and where Pissarro may have set up his easel to paint The Rail Station at Lordship Lane. Crystal Palace Park with all its own history and mesmerising annual firework display is a short distance away.
Famous residents
Forest Hill has had its fair share of famous and infamous residents. More recently, actor Timothy Spall was a long time resident of Forest Hill – he even lived close to the great Boris Karloff’s childhood family home. American novelist and screenwriter Raymond Chandler is thought to have lived with his mother in Devonshire Road for a time while at school at the nearby Dulwich College. Devonshire Road also was also the home for some time of the late Desmond Decker. The performer from Jamaica made South London his home, and we can certainly see why!
Transport
Forest Hill Train Station sits proudly on Devonshire Road. The station serves West Croyden Rail Station and Crystal Palace Rail Station, as well as Highbury & Islington Rail Station. It’s classed as Zone 3. The station is managed by the London Overground, being served by both the Overground and Southern trains.
Forest Hill has a reliable bus route along London Road, with services running towards, Penge, Catford and Dulwich.
Education
Forest Hill boasts several quality schools, for children of varying ages.
With several secondary schools – from comprehensive single sex schools to independent schools and academies – there’s sure to be the right environment for your child to thrive in. There are also some fantastic primary schools and nurseries for younger children.
Local schools include:
- Forest Hill School – a boys’ secondary comprehensive school.
- Sydenham School – a girls’ secondary comprehensive school.
- Kindergarten Forest Hill – a German/English kindergarten for children aged two to five.
- Forest Hill Montessori – a private day care nursery.
Council Tax
| Council tax band | Council tax charge for 2021-2022 | Value of property on 1 April 1991 |
|---|---|---|
| A | £1,162.41 | up to £40,000 |
| B | £1,356.15 | £40,001 to £52,000 |
| C | £1,549.18 | £52,001 to £68,000 |
| D | £1,743.62 | £68,001 to £88,000 |
| E | £2,131.09 | £88,001 to £120,000 |
| F | £2,518.56 | £120,000 to £160,000 |
| G | £2,906.03 | £160,001 to £320,000 |
| H | £3,487.24 | over £320,000 |
Area snapshot
We guide you through the process
Discovery is part of the excitement in finding a new home. At Stanfords, we are full of useful and interesting information about the locality. We are here to answer your questions to make sure you’re fully informed when making such a big decision.
To speak to a local Lettings and Estate Agent in Forest Hill that can really help, call Stanfords on 02086996778.
Contact Stanfords
Call the office and chat to one of our consultants about your needs, we're happy to chat through the benefits of moving locally and your needs.
We do our best to make sure that it’s the relevant properties to your search that will be sent to you; however, we try to show a little diversity in case something grabs your attention. At times we will call you to check that you are still looking and make sure that your criteria haven’t changed.
We are available for appointments six days a week and will do our best to arrange viewings for you during the daytime so you get to see the property and locality clearly. We don't believe 'that virtual viewings' are true reflections or provide all the visual and physical information that you need to get a clear picture about a property, its immediate surroundings and general locality.
We will walk you through the step by step process of moving forwards with a property whether it be Sales or Lettings.