The district of Hither Green forms part of the borough of Lewisham in South East London. It occupies a central position in the borough close to Catford and Ladywell. Hither Green is just over 6.5 miles from Charing Cross and is characterised by its plethora of Edwardian and Victorian architecture.
The average property price in Hither Green in 2020 stood at £515,199, which is marginally below the overall average for property in the borough of Lewisham. Property in Hither Green is generally more affordable than in the area of Blackheath, where the average property price sits at £654,983. On the other hand, Hither Green property is more expensive than property in Downham which is located towards the south of the borough and has an average property price of £355,545.
Most properties sold in Hither Green recently were terraced homes, which reached an average price of £644,025. Detached properties commanded a higher average price of £717,100, with flats coming in as the most affordable option by far fetching £344,037 on average. Property prices in Hither Green are 3% higher than the overall average for 2019 and are 7% higher than during the peak seen in that year, which was £481,177.
What is living in Hither Green like?
As Hither Green benefits from strong transport links to various parts of the Capital, the area is popular among commuters who want to put down roots and enjoy a slightly slower pace of life. Hither Green railway station offers connections with Cannon Street and Charing Cross, as well as Gravesend, Sidcup, Sevenoaks, Orpington, and Woolwich Arsenal. The district also benefits from several bus services operated by Transport for London, including a night bus route, offering connections to Crystal Palace, Eltham, Canada Water, and New Cross.
But Hither Green isn't just popular amongst young professionals; it's also an attractive area for young families keen to find a home with room to grow. Most of Hither Green's Victorian terraced housing was constructed in the late 19th century when Archibald Cameron Corbett, an MP and social reformer, purchased more than 270 acres of land from North Park Farm. Numerous houses were then built on the land, which is now referred to as the Corbett Estate.
Families with school-age children will also be pleased to learn that Hither Green is home to a selection of good schools. Brindishe Green School and Brindishe Manor School are just two examples of local primary schools that have been rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, but there are numerous other primary schools that have also secured the highest possible rating. Although there are no 'Outstanding' rated secondary schools within a mile radius of Hither Green, there are several that have been awarded a rating of 'Good' by Ofsted, including Trinity Church of England School.
Living in Hither Green pros and cons
Pro: Proximity to open spaces
Although technically located in Catford, Mountsfield Park is within easy reach from Hither Green. Mountsfield Park was opened in 1905 and now stretches across 32 acres with entrances on Carswell Road, George Lane, Brownhill Road, and Stainton Road. It contains a variety of facilities, including tennis courts, children's play areas, and football pitches. There is also a community garden, Edwardian rose garden, meadow grassland, and bandstand located within its gates. There are also several other parks and open spaces nearby, including Manor Park, and Manor House Gardens.
Con: Traffic congestion
Hither Green is segmented into the 'east side' and the 'west side' by the railway line, with the lack of crossing points contributing to traffic congestion across the district. Another potential disadvantage for drivers is that part of Hither Green is now within the boundaries of the expanded ULEZ scheme. Driving a vehicle within the zone that doesn't conform to the strict standards put in place by the scheme will incur a daily charge of £12.50.
Pro: Strong sense of community
With plenty of facilities and amenities within each reach, the community spirit in Hither Green is charmingly strong. From the children's library to welcoming eateries and other local businesses, there are plenty of opportunities to meet local residents and really put down roots in a meaningful way.
This community spirit is encouraged by the local council. Each year, Lewisham Borough Council hosts a People's Day event in Mountsfield Park, which attracts tens of thousands of people from Hither Green and the surrounding areas. Other notable events include an annual Christmas fair and a weekly farmers' market, which offers high-quality seasonal produce from the local area.
Con: Lack of Underground services
Despite the area's strong transport connections, Hither Green currently isn't served by any London Underground services which could be a disadvantage for some.
Is Hither Green a safe place to live?
Hither Green is located in the Lewisham Central part of the borough and between January 2020 and December 2021, there were 4,615 offences recorded. Violent crime accounted for 1,657 of those reports, with theft, public order offences, and vehicle offences also amongst the most commonly reported crimes.
Crime in the area peaked in July 2020, when there were 256 separate incidents reported. After initially falling, crime rose again in October 2021, when there were 227 recorded incidents. Since then, however, crime has been reducing once again and in December 2021, fewer than 185 crimes were recorded.
While the number of crimes per 1,000 residents is slightly higher than across London as a whole, it is important to remember that the Lewisham Central area stretches beyond the boundaries of Hither Green, right up towards the area around Lewisham station.
The good news is that most violent crimes occurred outside of the Hither Green area although data from the Met police shows that there are a few parts in the district where incidents of assault without injury are known to occur, including on some of the streets to the east of Mountsfield Park.
Which celebrities live in Hither Green?
Actors Jude Law and Dame Gladys Constance Cooper once resided in Hither Green, as did novelist Dora Jessie Saint and comedian Dane Baptiste, who was the first Black British nominee in the Edinburgh Comedy Awards' 'Best Newcomer' category in 2014. Plus, in the late 1960s, rock legend Jimi Hendrix spent some time living in Hither Green.
When looking at the borough of Lewisham as a whole, a surprising number of famous faces started life in this part of London. Poet Earnest Dowson lived in Catford, designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen lived in Blackheath, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu spent time living on Brownhill Road in Catford.
Things to consider when moving to Hither Green
Although property in Hither Green remains more affordable than many other areas within South East London, it's important to note that prices have risen significantly in recent years. When considering the affordability of the area for your circumstances, you may also need to factor in considerations such as transportation costs.
For those keen to avoid the traffic, Hither Green has several cycling routes including one that runs from Hither Green railway station through Blackheath, Greenwich Park, and on to Shoreditch. Hither Green benefits from cycle hire schemes, which could reduce transportation costs and allow you to see more of your local area.
The lack of underground connectivity and the potential to be affected by the ULEZ scheme are two further things to think very carefully about but in the grand scheme of things, for many Hither Green has more going for it than is going against it.