This south London neighbourhood offers great value family homes only 12 minutes by train from London Bridge. We talk to Simon Darvill and Martin Debrah in our Crystal Palace office about why South Norwood is becoming so popular among young professionals and families wanting more for their money.
South Norwood area overview
"The area is becoming increasingly gentrified, with young professionals moving from other parts of the city to south London, as it offers excellent value for money," explains Simon Darvill, Sales Manager at Foxtons' Crystal Palace office. "Croydon Council has also recently invested a sizeable amount of money in regenerating the area, in line with the overall Croydon town centre regeneration (including the proposed new Westfield shopping centre).
"The area just ticks a lot of boxes for first time buyers and young families. The Norhyrst Estate offers nice three and four bedroom family homes and Warminster Road has some large Victorian houses. A bit further down, Portland Road has some good value two bedroom houses within easy reach of the station, as well as Oakley Road, Sandown Road and Addison Road."
1 bedroom properties: £220,000 - £300,000
2 bedroom properties: £275,000 - £400,000
3 bedroom properties: £350,000 - £600,000
4 bedroom properties: £450,000 - £750,000+
Green spaces
The two biggest green spaces in South Norwood are South Norwood Country Park (below) and South Norwood Lakes. The lake is used by the Croydon Sailing Club and local anglers also fish in the waters, with the disused reservoir being home to schools of carp and perch.
The Country Park is a designated Local Nature Reserve, with a Dragonfly Pond and wetlands habitats that are home to over 100 bird species. The park also boasts a strong connection with the Second World War. British troops trained on the land in the lead-up to the war and, during The Blitz, rubble from the many buildings destroyed in Croydon was dumped here, now forming a hill that provides a vantage point over the area.
Schools
"There are three Harris Academies in South Norwood, along with a multitude of other excellent Primary and Secondary schools," explains Crystal Palace Lettings Manager Martin Debrah. "The Brit School is the most well-known in the area, as alumni there include performers such as Adele, Tom Holland, Jessie J and Leona Lewis."
The Brit School is a dedicated performing arts school that provides specialist training for the performing arts, media, technology and design. It is funded partly by money raised from the BRIT Awards ceremony and is home to over 1,300 students.
View all schools in South Norwood with our interactive schools page and view Oftsed grades, numbers of students and the percentage of students achieving the expected grade.
Transport
Norwood Junction is the main transport option for commuters into central London, offering the impressive journey time of just 12 minutes into London Bridge. London Victoria can also easily be reached via a change at Crystal Palace station. Southbound trains run through to East and West Croydon stations and fast trains can reach Gatwick in just 24 minutes.
The London Overground also runs from Norwood Junction, south to West Croydon and northwards through Sydenham and Brockley into Canada Water for the Jubilee line. London Tramlink services (above) run from Wimbledon in the west, through Mitcham Junction and West Croydon to Beckenham Junction, Elmers End and New Addington in the east.
Local highlights
Premier League club Crystal Palace's stadium Selhurst Park lies just to the west of Norwood Junction station, offering top-flight games for football fans. Fitness-focused residents benefit from the proximity of the South Norwood Leisure Centre, with more comprehensive facilities available at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre to the north of the area.
South Norwood boasts an increasing number of independent cafes and restaurants, with new gastropubs, such as the Shelverdine Goathouse, also popping up in the area. The renowned West African restaurant Gold Coast is also found on Portland Road, serving up authentic Nigerian and Ghanaian dishes and West African beers.
South Norwood sales and lettings properties
The selection of sales properties below gives a sense of the kinds of properties available in the area. One, two and three bedroom homes offer plenty of choice for young professionals and families looking for their first or second home. We also include a rental property to demonstrate the outstanding value offered by this neighbourhood.
Enmore Road, South Norwood, SE25
£285,000 | 1 bedroom apartment
This large, one bedroom penthouse apartment offers spacious accommodation and a high-quality, modern finish. Its location on Enmore Road provides easy access to the nearby Brickfields Meadow, while the large private balcony creates an attractive open space with views over the surrounding neighbourhood.
Watson Place, South Norwood, SE25
£330,000 | 2 bedroom apartment
Set on the first floor of a modern development, this two bedroom apartment offers an expansive reception area and stylish interiors throughout. The private balcony gives welcome outside space, while the en suite to the bright master bedroom adds extra appeal to this outstanding property.
Elborough Road, South Norwood, SE25
£400,000 | 3 bedroom house
This three bedroom terraced house offers remarkable value for money. While some modernisation to the interiors may be required, its size, appealing rear garden and proximity to Norwood Junction station make this an ideal home for young families and commuters.
Stroud Road, South Norwood, SE25
£500,000 | 4 bedroom house
Arranged over three floors and offering plenty of private garden space on three sides, this property includes four double-sized bedrooms and a separate dining area leading off from the main reception space. A large fitted kitchen and plenty of scope for expansion (subject to planning permission) combine to make this a great buy.
Grangecliffe Gardens, South Norwood, SE25
£1,800 pcm | 4 bedroom house
This house shows the excellent value for money also offered by rental properties in South Norwood. The far-reaching views from the top floor master bedroom are just one standout feature, with the spacious rooms and quality finish of this property making it a fantastic choice for families wanting to rent.
Discover South Norwood
View all of our sales properties in South Norwood here or lettings properties here. Alternatively, head to our Local Life page for recommendations on great things to see and do in the area. Alternatively, chat with Simon, Martin, or another member of the Crystal Palace team by dropping into the office or by using the contact details below:
Foxtons
26 Westow Hill
Crystal Palace
SE19 1RX
Tel: 020 8772 8080
Fax: 020 8772 8081
Email: [email protected]
