Penge is situated within the London borough of Bromley and is only minutes from the heart of London. Previously a rather forgotten and overlooked corner, Penge has changed significantly in character since the beginning of the 21st century but still retains a leafy suburban vibe and a rather peaceful feel but with great access to the capital.(Estate agents in Penge-Guaranteed rent in Penge)
Penge leapt to prominence when Crystal Palace was relocated from Hyde Park in 1854 with the railway arriving in 1863 when it became a fashionable Victorian suburb. Romanticised in numerous impressionist paintings by Camille Pissarro who lived in Penge during the 1870s, this rather strange name is actually a Celtic word which means, ‘head of the wood’, one of the few Celtic place names in London.
One of Penge’s claims to fame is the Tudor style almshouses built in 1840 for the retired members of the Worshipful Company of Watermen and Lightermen which are now all in private ownership. These are one of several sets of pretty almshouses in Penge.
Penge suffered very badly from damage caused by German flying bombs during the Second World War but didn’t quite have the level of post-war development anticipated and which was seen in other parts of the capital. This might explain why it is fortunate to retain so many green spaces and public parks.
Property Types and Demographics in Penge
There is a large selection of Victorian terraced houses in Penge in pretty streets, some of which have been converted into flats and a range of more contemporary properties which appeared in the post-war rebuild as well as new builds. The iconic almshouses are all in private ownership and occasionally are offered for sale.
Penge is popular with young professionals, investors and first-time buyers, as well as families. The educational provision is strong and there are plenty of parks and amenities for young children. The average house price in Penge is £480,000 which will buy a three-bedroom home with a very strong growth rate reflecting the quality of life and the easy access to Central London. The average rental price is a modest £340 per week.(Estate agents in Penge-Guaranteed rent in Penge)
Schools and Colleges in Penge
https://www.harrisprimarykenthouse.org.uk/
Primary schools in Penge range from good to outstanding in their Ofsted ratings. There are a range of secondary schools and academies with some of these being hugely popular and oversubscribed, so catchment areas are king if you are looking for a property and the closer to the school the better. There are two well-known independent schools in Penge – Kings School and Bishop Challoner School.
Local Attractions in Penge
https://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/things-to-do/south-east-and-london/greater-london/penge
A surprising sight in this part of London is the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, a sculpture trail of life-sized extinct creatures located in Crystal Palace Park, less than two miles from Penge. These hark back to the 19th century and were commissioned in 1852 after Crystal Palace moved from Hyde Park following the Great Exhibition. Scientifically accurate, they are a blend of the fun and the historic and are located around the lake.
Shopping Facilities, Restaurants and Leisure in Penge
https://completelyretail.co.uk/scheme/Blenheim-Shopping-Centre-Penge
https://www.nrr.co.uk/portfolio/properties/penge
Penge received an injection of capital in 2018 to revamp its high street and has a mix of independents and small chain stores. There is a Sainsbury’s superstore located in the high street and a small shopping centre called the Blenheim Retail Centre selling everything you would expect from a local High Street.
The High Street and Penge East and West offer a range of local eateries and cafes offering all sorts of cuisines including Indian, Italian and Chinese. There is also a microbrewery.(Estate agents in Penge-Guaranteed rent in Penge)
Enjoy the wide open space of Penge Recreation Ground – one of several green areas in Penge and which is home to the annual Penge Festival or Pengefest. Penge Recreation Ground is a rather lovely open space which has received considerable investment in recent years to restore it to its Victorian glory.
Penge has a number of parks all of which have sports facilities and activities for children. For serious sport, enjoy the amenities of nearby Crystal Palace Sports Centre which is set in 200 acres of parkland with an athletic stadium, gym, swimming pool and range of football pitches. There is even an outdoor beach here.(Estate agents in Penge-Guaranteed rent in Penge)
Transport Connections from Penge
Located in travel zone 4, Penge has excellent transport links. Penge West and Penge East Train Stations are located close together with services to London Victoria, Bromley South and Orpington operated by Southeastern as part of the Bromley South Metro service.
Penge East to London Victoria takes 17 minutes with trains departing every 30 minutes. Penge West Station has services to London Bridge. It is less than twenty minutes into Central London from Penge by train and there are also tram services to Croydon and Wimbledon.
Trains from Penge East Travel to London Underground Zones 1-3 depart regularly. There is also a service on Thameslink via St Pancras International to St Alban’s, Luton or Bedford from Beckenham Junction.
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Penge also joined the extended East London line in May 2010 for a swift train ride to Canary Wharf via Canada Water.
Penge is also served by London Bus route 176 running between Penge and Tottenham Court Road Station via Forest Hill, East Dulwich, Denmark Hill, Camberwell, Elephant & Castle Station and Waterloo taking just over an hour.
An annual travelcard costs £2076.
Penge has experienced a real surge in popularity as a residential area because it has something to offer all types of buyer and has a popular mix of good local amenities, lots of green spaces and has outstanding transport links.
It is no longer the hidden corner it once was as buyers snap up well-priced properties within reach of good schools. Once the butt of humour from the likes of Spike Milligan and Terry Wogan, the revenge of Penge is gathering momentum as people find there is a lot to like about this South-East London suburb.(Estate agents in Penge-Guaranteed rent in Penge)
It’s an affordable neighbourhood for now, and with a strong community vibe, Penge has much to recommend it.
