PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
Oozing character and charm is this utterly unique and very special property. Set on a generous plot of land on this popular street, 'Lavender Cottage' is a double fronted, DETACHED, two double bedroom, two bathroom Victorian bungalow, with off street parking and a garage, kitchen/diner, double glazing and central heating system. You don’t come across houses like this very often!
Dating back to 1885-1895, this distinctive property was originally the builder's office when the houses in the street were being built - and has been in the same family since 1954.
Upon approach is a lovey mature front garden complete with a picket fence and - as one would expect - plenty of lavender! There is also off street parking in front of the garage and on the left there is side return access to the garden.
The house is built from old stock Victorian bricks and there are two large bay windows either side of a pretty front door under an ornate front porch. The house offers well laid out accommodation with two equal sized bedrooms at the front of the house both with original wood flooring which has been painted and large double glazed bay windows that illuminate the rooms with natural light. There is a bathroom and a shower room next to each other, handy for a late morning rush for work.
The reception room is a generous size with more original floorboards that have been painted grey and double glazed patio doors that lead out to the garden.
The garden is an oasis of calm and tranquillity with a raised lawn area surrounded by mature boarders with an array of plants and shrubs.
The kitchen breakfast room, located at the back of the property, is well-proportioned with plenty of wall and base level cupboards - including the original cupboards which have been well maintained over the years - and a large double glazed window offering natural light and ventilation. There is also space for a double height fridge freezer, washing machine and oven and also a back door that leads round to the rear garden and a small yard space for hanging washing.
Filled with well-looked after properties, quiet and friendly, Hengrave Road is one of the premier streets in SE23. Close to both Honor Oak Park and Forest Hill stations (with regular London Overground services to London Bridge (8 minutes), Shoreditch and Highbury and Islington) and bus stops located at the top of the road.
The trendy high street at Honor Oak Park boasts a range of independent shops, cafes, bars, a deli and several highly-recommended restaurants and pubs. A short walk in the other direction gives access to thriving Forest Hill, with its pubs, independent shops, restaurants and highly regarded gym and swimming pool. Nearby green leafy open spaces can be found at: One Tree Hill, a local nature reserve 3-4 minutes walk away, offering locals and visitors some wild woodland space to explore and spectacular views over central London; the playing fields with tennis courts and play park; Horniman Gardens with a lovely cafe and the Horniman Museum; Blythe Hill Fields and Brenchley Gardens all offering fantastic views of the London skyline and the open green space of Peckham Rye is also not far away.
There is also a very good selection of Outstanding and Good primary schools nearby including Fairlawn, Horniman, Cabrini, and independent through school, St Dunstan’s College, is a short walk away.
Owner’s comment:
This little cottage is truly a uniquely iconic building in Hengrave Road – and the area - dating right back to when the other houses were being built at the end of the 19th century. Originally the office of Mr Christmas, the builder, he then converted it into a home for his daughter. I have the original deeds – complete with red wax stamp… nothing like the sheets of A4 paper we get nowadays.
Lavender Cottage is my family home. Mum and Dad bought the place in 1954 and lived here very happily for 60 years. My Dad was also a builder/senior clerk of works and he maintained the house and both he and Mum loved nurturing the gardens and all the long established plants.
Hengrave Road is a quiet, pleasant road to live on, with friendly, helpful neighbours who look out for one another but aren’t in any way intrusive.
As you can see from these pictures, dating back to Mum and Dad’s early years at the cottage, nothing major has changed over the years.