Streatham Area Guide | RM Surveyors
For this month’s area guide, I’m in sunny Streatham. Join me for a stroll down the UK’s longest high street to discover a vibrant and eclectic town centre which is currently home to nearly 500 businesses – and the busy, somewhat polluted A23 road that runs through it! I love the area for its quirky history and fabulous art deco architecture: did you know it was once known as south London’s West End for its elegant cinemas, theatres and dance halls?
Although Streatham went through a period of decline in the 1970s and 80s, which can still be seen in the relatively high social deprivation locally, the area has undergone significant regeneration in recent years. Streatham now has a lower than average vacancy rate of retail properties: the pre-Covid national average was 12% while Streatham’s was only around 5%.
With three train stations offering easy access to central London and a large common right on the doorstep, I think it’s easy to see why Streatham has become popular with families and first-time buyers looking for great value and lots of space. Read on to get my take on Streatham and learn why I think this colourful south London suburb deserves to be restored to its former glory.
Typical housing stock
Despite rising demand, I think Streatham still represents good value for money: you get more space here and there’s more potential for price growth. The area boasts a large amount of high quality housing, the most desirable of which tend to be located around the commons. Just off the high street, you'll find the Leigham Court Road Estate Conservation area with its popular ‘ABC’ roads, Amesbury, Barcombe and Cricklade, which are full of attractive terraces and maisonettes.
Elsewhere, there is a wide range of cottages, mansion flats and Seventies blocks, plus a good number of more contemporary purpose-built flats and smart new builds. The most affordable area is Streatham Vale, a pocket of high-density housing bordered by railway lines.
To first-time buyers and downsizers looking for interesting one- and two-bedroom flats, I love the architectural style of Pullman Court: one of London's most fascinating examples of modernist architecture. Influenced by the Bauhaus movement, it was designed by architect Frederick Gibberd and completed in 1935.
Transport links
Although the tube never made it to Streatham, Brixton and the Victoria line are just a short bus ride away. The area is served by three train stations: Streatham, Streatham Common and Streatham Hill, making it possible to get to Victoria in 17 minutes and London Bridge in less than 30. Do check you have the right station before you travel though, as I know from experience that it’s a reasonable walk if you get off at the wrong stop!
Shopping and eating out
When carrying out surveys and valuations in the area, I love having lunch at longstanding vegetarian Whole Meal Cafe or grabbing a quick brew at Estate Office Coffee. I also enjoy popping into family-run Maitri Health where you can find everything you need for holistic healthcare. Other noteworthy shops on the High Street are Healthier Without, a haven for all your zero-waste shopping; Doolittles Pets neighbourhood favourite for all you pet needs (including on-site pet grooming) and branching out from their roots in Brixton Market, Cornercopia Home & Plantstore where you can find the most amazing, exotic houseplants, and a great range of organic toiletries, homewares and gifts (they even do Cargo-bike deliveries to the local area!) It was great to learn that the InStreatham BID (Business Improvement District) offers all businesses use of their electric cargo bike for deliveries free of charge – Cornercopia, Doolittles and The Decorators Mate are amongst those currently using it.
When the world opens up again, I’d recommend checking out the weekend farmers’ market on Streatham Green and having a pint at Pratts & Payne pub, which takes its name from two local Streatham icons: the now-vanished Pratts department store and Streatham’s own risqué legend, Cynthia Payne. Or if you’re looking for a takeaway beer Art & Craft (next to Estate Office Coffee) have a great selection of craft beers.
Here’s what Louise Abbotts, Manager of InStreatham BID had to say about the local area:
“Streatham High Road is truly the home of the independent with over 70% of our high street offering locally run. We have a broad array of shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants, salons and convenience stores for you to explore. This is definitely not a mono high street and we are proud of our diverse and entrepreneurial community. Marrying the needs of a much-loved local High Street with a key arterial red route is not without its challenges, but works to reconfigure Streatham Hill by TfL in 2022 will much improve the public realm in the way that earlier works have done so further south. Streatham has a great vibe with local businesses investing in their community through the Business Improvement District which pays for the Christmas lights and trees, the fantastic festival programme, markets, the electric cargo bike and so much more. We are so excited to see our high street come alive again now restrictions are being lifted so come on down, because #Streathamisopen!”
Parks and green spaces
The 66-acre expanse that is Streatham Common offers spectacular views over London and includes areas of woodland and meadow: it has also been designated a local nature reserve and if you’re lucky you might see and hear a woodpecker in the woods there. My wife, daughter and I regularly walk, jog and play in the woods and green spaces with our adorable Ella, a Golden Retriever who’s in her twilight years. I like getting a coffee from the cafe on the common and there’s a great dog walking community.
Just off the common is the Rookery, a hidden gem on the site of one of Streatham’s former wells which hosts an outdoor theatre in the summer and also has a rock garden, pond and café. I love that part of the Rookery has been turned into a community allotment after a local project ‘SCCOOP’ repurposed some local waste land.
Arts, leisure and entertainment
Topping my list of places to check out is the Streatham Space Project: an exceptional fringe theatre where I have laughed, cried and had some very memorable nights out! I also love Streatham Festival in October and Streatham Food Festival in June which has a great selection of tastings, cookery classes and markets.
I was sad to learn that The Hideaway Jazz Club – one of London’s most iconic music venues – will sadly not be reopening at its current site after lockdown due to the roof needing major works. I wish the Hideaway team well with relocation plans and look forward to enjoying some live music with you again very soon!
In the meantime, we still have the 8-screen Streatham Odeon to entertain ourselves, as well as Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre which is home to London’s only Olympic-sized ice rink and offers access to swimming pools, a 100-station gym, a soft play area and a whole host of sports clubs.
Local council and schools
Streatham falls within the Labour-controlled London Borough of Lambeth. The most popular state school in the area is Dunraven (co-ed, ages four to 18), an all-through school in Leigham Court Road that is judged to be “outstanding” by the Government’s education watchdog Ofsted*. However, parents who fail to get their children into Dunraven still have a good choice of state primary and comprehensive schools, including Woodmansterne and St Andrew’s at primary level and Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic at secondary level which specialises in maths and IT. Other popular local schools include Henry Cavendish and Julian’s Primary School which serves families in both Streatham and nearby West Norwood*. Another popular all-through school is Woodmansterne on Stockport Road.
Estate agencies
Although you’ll find all the usual estate agency chains operating in Streatham, I’d like to highlight independent local estate agency Samuel Estates who have a friendly and experienced team led by Nick Samuel and a strong reputation locally. Also popular in the area are Brooks, Independent Estate Agents, Marlowe Estates, Winkworths and Oaks.
If you’ve already got your eye on a Streatham property and are ready to take the next step, I offer a wide range of independent and cost-effective residential surveys and valuations. As a residential chartered surveyor and RICS registered property valuer with more 20 years’ real estate experience across London and the south-east, I know that buying property is one of the most important decisions most people ever make. That’s why I’m passionate about taking the stress out of the survey and valuation process and helping people realise their dreams, whether that’s a treasured new home or the next investment property.
“Highly recommend RM Surveyors. Very approachable, willing to go the extra mile, manages expectations and delivers. Prices are transparent and very reasonable. Highly efficient service and easy to work with.” – Residential buyer in south London