Wickham Road III, London SE4

This charming two-bedroom apartment sits on Wickham Road in leafy Brockley. Spanning just under 600 sq ft internally, the interiors have a wonderful quality of natural light, which comes from the vast, late-Victorian sash windows found throughout. The apartment has access to an expansive communal garden, and on the doorstep is Brockley, a thriving London neighbourhood with a growing cultural profile. Frequent Overground services run from the area, with London Bridge accessible in just 12 minutes.

Setting the Scene

One of the most coveted addresses within the Brockley Conservation Area, Wickham Road was laid down c.1850 and is the oldest and widest of the four grand north-south axis avenues in the area. The apartment building has had a number of sensitive interventions over the years, the most notable of which was the introduction of a modern, sculptural staircase to the side of the house when it was converted to apartments. Reminiscent of Berthold Lubetkin’s Penguin Pool at London Zoo, the addition is the perfect amalgamation of tradition and modernity. For more information, please see the History section below.

The Grand Tour

Occupying the raised ground floor of the original Victorian townhouse, the apartment is defined by its large rooms and high ceilings. Upon entry, a hallway leads to the vast kitchen and reception room. Light filters through the bay window, which overlooks the pretty communal gardens and allows light to pour in, maximised by the white walls. A charming fireplace with dappled 1930s tiles complements the original floorboards, which have been stripped; kitchen cabinetry made from ply neatly occupies the corner of the room.

Next to the reception room are two bright and spacious bedrooms. One has been finished in a calming ‘Olive Oil’ green by Little Greene, and both have wide windows.

A useful storage cupboard sits in the hallway, and a large shower room is at the end of the plan. Tiled in inky blue tiles, this room has a shower, a vanity and a WC next to a later Crittal window with frosted glass.

The Great Outdoors

Externally, a sweeping communal landscaped garden is accessible via rear side access. Planted with established and magnificent London Plane, Bird Cherry, Holly and Ash, with an abundance of underplanted Bluebells, the garden attracts many species of birds. To the front, a manicured lawn makes for a handsome approach to the building.

Out and About

The apartment is a short walk from the reputable cafés and restaurants of Brockley and St John’s. The Telegraph Hill Conservation Area lies a short distance to the west, and the apartment is also a short walk from St Johns, New Cross and Nunhead. Deptford, Greenwich and Peckham are slightly further afield. The area is swiftly becoming one of the most fashionable parts of south-east London. The area surrounding Wickham Road has a range of cafes, pubs and restaurants, including Good as Gold, Sparrow, Joyce and Marcella. There are plenty of green spaces nearby, including Nunhead Cemetery, Peckham Rye and Hilly Fields.

There is a renowned farmers’ market every Saturday at Brockley Market, offering a wide range of organic produce alongside food trucks and wine merchants. Deptford Market Yard, a recently launched collection of independent shops and restaurants set within and around Deptford’s refurbished railway arches, is nearby. Goldsmiths University is within walking distance and will soon open the doors to its new gallery designed by Turner-prize-winning architects Assemble.

The house is a five-minute walk from Brockley station, which runs services to London Bridge in 12 minutes. Frequent Overground services also run from Brockley for connections to Peckham, Canada Water, Shoreditch and Highbury & Islington. St Johns station is a 10-minute walk, with services running to London Bridge and Cannon Street in eight minutes. Elverson Road station is a 15-minute walk away, with frequent DLR services that provide access to Canary Wharf in 12 minutes.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: Approx. 176 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx £1,880 p/a
Ground Rent: Peppercorn
Council Tax Band: C