Catford

Overview

Homeowners tend to sway towards Dulwich or Forest Hill, but the lively and more affordable Catford is finally starting to get more attention. And for good reason: buzzy local hangouts, community gatherings, a choice of relaxing walking and cycling routes, and good transport links to central London all make this mistakenly overlooked area appealing, particularly to first-time buyers. A mix of late-Victorian, Edwardian and Brutalist architecture meets an exciting vision for future redevelopment that is slowly but steadily reshaping the urban landscape.

Curious about Catford? Find out what this exciting south-east London neighbourhood has to offer.

Interesting Facts

• One of the area’s most prominent landmarks is the Catford Cat, a massive fibreglass sculpture of a black cat perched above the entrance to the local shopping centre.
• Catford boasts one of the oldest theatres south of the river: The Broadway Theatre served as a ration station, telephone exchange and an air raid shelter during WWII before transforming into the multi-purpose entertainment space it is today. In early 2022, a whopping £7 million refurbishment was announced to celebrate the iconic theatre’s 90th birthday.

Amenities

University Hospital Lewisham is a five-minute drive from Catford and Catford Bridge stations. The award-winning Kaleidoscope, which provides specialist children’s services, from health to education and social care, the Lewisham MHLD service for residents with mental health problems and learning disabilities, and Hawstead Road Contraception & Sexual Health Clinic can all be found within the SE6.

Bromley Road - Elysium Healthcare offers rehabilitation services to men and women with a mental illness and a history of substance misuse or trauma. Finally, the privately owned Ivy House by Nomase Care and Always Healthcare provide care for elderly and dementia patients. Finally,

Attractions

Things to do

Whether you’re a cyclist or a foodie, Catford has something to pique your curiosity. Several community hubs – including the warmly-received new library, which opened in July 2022 – and events keep the Catfordian spirit strong while boosting local trade:

• Head to Mountsfield Park and Ladywell Fields for welcoming green spaces, play areas for children, tennis courts and other amenities. Walkers and cyclists also cross paths at Riverview Walk and River Pool Linear Park. Part of the 8-mile Waterlink Way, the route will take you all the way from Sydenham to the Thames in Greenwich.
• People’s Day, south-east London's longest-running free festival according to Lewisham council, is held every summer at Mountsfield Park and is attended by thousands who come here to enjoy the great music, art and food. Other popular community events include the weekly park run, a 5k walk or jog for all ages.
• After its ambitious refurbishment, the art deco Broadway Theatre is planning to take centre stage with a multifaceted festival and community-centred programme of events. Since 2019, another local favourite is Catford Mews, a friendly independent cinema that includes a café and food court.

• Don’t miss the Catford Food Market in the town centre for global street food, fantastic coffee, crafts and live music on the last Sunday of every month. The separate daily Catford Broadway Market also bursts with bric-a-brac, fresh produce and more.

History

Bromley Road was once the main coach road between London and Kent, boasting a few grand villas before new transport routes attracted a large population of commuters. The opening of Catford station in the 1890s convinced prolific developer, politician and philanthropist Archibald Corbett to gradually build a total of 3,000 houses, spanning spacious villas and working-class homes, in the area to the south of Catford station and Brownhill road.

A leafy Edwardian neighbourhood also developed to the east of Bromley Road. What is known today as the Culverley Green conservation area includes beautiful properties along Penerley, Bargery, Inchmery Roads and beyond. After considerable damage during the Blitz, council flats and Brutalist buildings such as Eros House started to pop up. These days, the Archibald Corbett Society and Team Catford play a vital role in reshaping the town centre and preserving the area’s historic landmarks in liaison with Lewisham Council.

Developments

Lewisham council has created a framework for Catford’s urban renewal over the next few decades. Early projects include restoring historic buildings and creating a safer area for walking and cycling around Catford and Catford Bridge stations. The proposed Bakerloo line extension is also something the council continuously strives for, as it would bring great growth to the wider borough.

One and two-bedroom warehouse-style flats, developed by Paye Homes, were launched at Crickett Corner, while more new homes can be found in Bellingham Mews and Prestige House, close to Bellingham station.

Education

Education in the area

Several schools have been rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted in SE6 and neighbouring postcodes, among them Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Rathfern Primary School and Torridon Primary School. The renowned co-educational school St Dunstan’s College (which includes junior and secondary schools) was named Independent Senior School of the Year at the Tes Schools Awards 2022.

Catford takes pride in two special schools rated as “outstanding”: Watergate, which caters to pupils with learning difficulties between the ages of 4-11, and Greenvale, for ages 11-19. The independent school and charity Young Women’s Hub also welcomes girls aged 8-25 with SEMH needs, SEN, attachment difficulties and other complex issues.

Worship

Places of worship

There are many places of worship for residents of Catford and the surrounding areas. Historic churches such as St Andrew’s and Brownhill Road Baptist Church can be found in The Corbett Estate. Elsewhere, there’s the evangelical King’s Church London, the Anglican St Laurence, Holy Cross RC Church, Catford Assemblies of God Pentecostal Church and El Bethel Tamil Church, a welcoming congregation for people from Sri Lanka and India. The Lewisham Islamic Centre is also nearby.