Forest Hill Area Guide

Forest Hill snapshot

Forest Hill is a wonderful blend of art, culture, independent shops and leafy streets. The town was a well-kept secret until the arrival of the East London Overground line, which propelled Forest Hill’s popularity. Today professionals mingle with families, making the most of award-winning attractions, including the Horniman Museum.

Forest Hill: where?

Forest Hill lies to the east of Dulwich, south of Camberwell, west of Catford and north of Sydenham. Despite its centralised location, Bromley, Bexley and Chislehurst are around 30 minutes by road, and on a clear day you can gaze out all the way to the South Downs. 

The BIG 3:

1. Transport:

• East London Overground line directly links Forest Hill to Canada Water, Hoxton and Highbury & Islington
• Own mainline train station, with services to London Bridge
• Mainline train stations at nearby Honor Oak and West Dulwich
• South Circular road runs close by

2. Schools:

There’s no shortage of primary schools in Forest Hill, with a number of secondary schools within a short commute. There’s a ‘find-a-school’ facility on every one of our online property listings, where you can filter schools by age, type and Ofsted rating.

3. Attractions:

The Horniman Museum is Forest Hill's premier attraction, with eclectic exhibitions, 16 acres of immaculate gardens and an on-site aquarium. The arts scene in Forest Hill is thriving, with a number of galleries, studios along Havelock Walk and the Forest Hill Art Club. Regular events include a food fair, a fashion week and a film festival. Two nature reserves at Dacres Road and Devonshire Road, the Horniman Triangle and Mayow Park offset the urban location.

Food & Drink

Our Sydenham staff recommend:

• The Signal, for comedy, music, film and quiz nights
• Railway Telegraph, for weekend DJs and live music
• The Capitol, for beer and food in an Art Deco setting
• Sylvan Post, set in a former Post office with vintage furnishings
• Canvas & Cream – a café-restaurant in a gallery
• Aga’s Little Deli, for eat in or take home

Forest Hill property

The Honor Oak part of Forest Hill is a mini-village within the town, and its friendly atmosphere makes it a hit with young professionals and families. Coveted roads include Westwood Park, Dartmouth Road, Tewkesbury Avenue, Devonshire Road, Ringmore Rise, Perry Vale and Canonbie Road, where you'll find a mix of Victorian and Edwardian houses - some divided into flats - as well as 1930s properties and purpose-built apartments.

Click for Forest Hill's council tax rates 

Horniman Museum image courtesy of Sophie Spring

For a FREE valuation or general advice contact your local branch today.