Living in Forest Hill – Area Guide

Located on the South Circular Road in the South East London borough of Lewisham, Forest Hill is a district positioned between Lower Sydenham, Catford, and Honor Oak. Until the local population started to increase in the mid-19th century, Forest Hill was known simply as 'The Forest' as woodland once covered much of the area.

In 2020, property prices in Forest Hill were averaging £578,318. This is above the overall average for property across the borough of Lewisham, which stood at £534,706 during the same period. Forest Hill is markedly more affordable than the borough's most expensive area, which is Blackheath with average property prices of £654,983, however it is considerably more expensive than Downham, where property prices sit at an average of £355,545.

Flats accounted for most of the properties sold in the Forest Hill area in 2020 and, on average, they sold for £403,428. Terraced properties in the borough fetched £674,372 on average, and semi-detached properties reached an average of £860,884. Prices in the district were up by 7% from the 2019 average and were 7% higher than the peak in 2017 where the average property price stood at £545,838.

What is living in Forest Hill like?

Forest Hill is a charming part of the borough of Lewisham and is often described as one of the most peaceful suburbs in London. Forest Hill benefits from a small selection of parks and open spaces and in addition to the Horniman Museum gardens, it offers easy access to Tarleton Gardens, Blythe Hill, and Mayow Park which has Green Flag status and is the oldest park in the borough of Lewisham. Green-fingered residents may also benefit from the allotment scheme, which can be an excellent way to get involved with the local community.

Forest Hill is home to a variety of architectural styles, including mansion blocks in an instantly recognisable art deco style and Victorian terraced properties. As well as an abundance of beautiful property to admire, Forest Hill also offers spectacular views across the City.

Forest Hill Pools have only recently been refurbished, with the leisure facility now offering a modern health and fitness suite that residents can make good use of. Joining exercise classes can also be an excellent way to get to know local people and make new friends. This spirited and characterful district has a village-like feel, where residents greet each other and make time to stop for a chat, which is one of the reasons why this part of London is so attractive to a variety of different people looking to put down roots.

Living in Forest Hill pros and cons

Pro: Home to a variety of notable locations

Forest Hill is arguably best known for being the home of the Horniman Museum, which contains one of the most varied taxidermy collections in the whole of the northern hemisphere. The museum also houses an incredibly collection of musical instruments and an aquarium. The Horniman Museum gardens contain a Grade II listed conservatory which dates to the early 20th century, an animal enclosure and picturesque flower gardens. Louise House is another Grade II listed building in Forest Hill, as is the Forest Hill Library which was constructed in an Arts and Crafts style in 1901.

Con: No Underground connectivity

For some, the lack of London Underground connections in Forest Hill will be a major disadvantage. However the area is served by Honor Oak Park and Forest Hill Overground stations offering under-15 minute travel times to London Bridge. Canary Wharf is also just 15 minutes by Overground and London City Airport is a mere nine miles away. There are also several bus routes running through Forest Hill, connecting the district to London Victoria, Tottenham Court Road, and Crystal Palace.

Pro: Forest Hill is home to a selection of schools

Forest Hill is particularly known for its variety of primary schools, including Stillness Infant School, Kilmorie Primary School and Rathfern Primary School, all of which have secured coveted 'Outstanding' Ofsted ratings. Many other primary schools in the area have been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted, including Dalmain Primary School, St William of York Catholic Primary School, and Stillness Junior School.

There are a few secondary schools in the Forest Hill area, including Prendergast Ladywell School, which offer both primary and secondary education and has been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted. It is worth noting that Forest Hill doesn't have any colleges, however Sydenham School and Forest Hill School do offer a sixth form.

Is Forest Hill a safe place to live?

Forest Hill recorded 2,383 offences in the period between January 2020 and December 2021. More than a quarter of those crimes were categorised as violent offences, with vehicle offences and theft also being among the most commonly reported types of crime.

When looking at a month-by-month overview, crime in Forest Hill is up and down. In February 2020, the area experienced a peak, recording 117 separate offences. This figure was matched in September 2021, however crime has been falling since with 98 cases recorded in November 2021 and 100 crimes reported in December 2021.

Overall, crime in Forest Hill is lower than it is across the borough of Lewisham, with six crimes per 1,000 residents as opposed to 8 crimes per 1,000 residents.

Which celebrities live in Forest Hill?

Interior designer Linda Barker was once a Forest Hill resident, as was musician Desmond Dekker who lived on Devonshire Road, and writer Raymond Chandler who lived at 148 Devonshire Road between 1909 and 1912. Comedian Micky Flanagan is another notable local resident who has been known to perform at local stand-up comedy events.

In the 1960s, actor Michael Gambon lived in the Art Deco Forest Croft mansion houses, singer Millie lived in Forest Hill in 1964 when her song 'My Boy Lollipop' was a hit at a similar time to singer/songwriter Jackie Trent, who is perhaps best known for co-writing the theme song to popular Australian television show 'Neighbours'.

Things to consider when moving to Forest Hill

Many of the largest Victorian properties have been converted into flats, which are ideal for young professionals but less suited to growing families. Those looking for apartments are well catered for in the area, with the likes of Taymount Rise offering stunning Art Deco living and several contemporary blocks of flats in the surrounding areas.

Families shouldn't despair, however, as Forest Hill does have a decent stock of spacious family homes, including high-ceilinged Georgian properties, smart Victorian terraces and charming mews houses. The lack of secondary schools in the immediate area is somewhat disappointing and while many families with younger children stay in Forest Hill for some time, many do choose to leave the area as their children get older.

It is also beneficial to be aware that part of Forest Hill is located within the ULEZ zone, which has recently been expanded to improve air quality across London.

Although the centre of Forest Hill was once neglected and rundown, the area has benefitted from a period of investment and now boasts a variety of new cafés, delis and independent retailers. You'll also find local butchers specialising in free-range, locally sourced products, as well as excellent restaurants specialising in cuisine from around the world, including Thailand, China, and Italy.

There is still room for some improvement and development will continue over the coming years, which is why now could be the ideal time to get your foot on the property ladder in Forest Hill.