Beckenham.
A market town that the railway turned into one of South East London's most loved suburbs. Here's what you need to know, from people who work on the high street.
A short history
Beckenham appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Bacheham". For centuries it was a Kentish village, until the railway arrived in 1857. The Cator family, lords of the manor since 1773, began laying out villas and tree-lined avenues around the new station, and the town grew quickly. Shortlands station followed in 1858 and Clock House in 1890, bringing streets of terraced houses, and the break-up of the Kelsey estate from 1911 opened up the land south of the High Street.
The homes
That history is still written on the streets. Large Victorian villas around the Cator estate, Edwardian and Victorian terraces near Clock House and Kent House, interwar semis towards Eden Park and Elmers End, and the garden-suburb houses of Park Langley. Post-war flats and newer developments fill the gaps, which is why Beckenham works for first flats and forever homes alike.
Getting about
Beckenham is unusually well connected for a suburb, with stations at Beckenham Junction, Kent House, Clock House, New Beckenham, Elmers End and Eden Park. The fastest trains from Beckenham Junction reach London Victoria in around 21 minutes, and the Tramlink from Beckenham Junction and Elmers End runs across to Croydon and Wimbledon.
Green space
Kelsey Park, with its lake and waterfall, sits a few minutes from the High Street. Croydon Road Recreation Ground, and the wide open spaces of Beckenham Place Park just to the north, mean most homes are a short walk from somewhere green.
What homes sell for
Over the last twelve months, the average home in the BR3 postcode district sold for around £598,000. Detached homes averaged around £1.2 million, semi-detached around £769,000, terraced homes around £643,000 and flats around £359,000. Averages hide a lot, though: a road can be worth very different money from the next one along. Ask us about yours.
If you're selling here
Beckenham buyers are well researched and quick to spot a home that is priced too high. Homes that are presented well and priced in line with recent sales on the same street still sell. Our black book of waiting buyers is the first place we look.
Ask
me.
A question about property? Send it straight to me, whether it's buying, selling, a mortgage, renting or simply your street. I'll reply personally.