Streatham
In the early eighteenth century the opening of the road to the south coast saw Streatham developing a reputation for inns, gambling and highwaymen but later it achieved respectability when the Thrale family, noted Southwark brewers, acquired 89 acres of land and built a substantial mansion overlooking Tooting Bec Common.
A focal point for intellectual and artistic life, Streatham Place played host to various eighteenth century luminaries, notably Edmund Burke, Dr. Johnson, Joshua Reynolds, Fanny Burney and David Garrick. Grand Georgian and Regency mansions followed and Streatham became an upmarket and reputable place, home to the great and the good who liked the combined benefits of rural ambience and the good coach service to London.
This development continued through the nineteenth century and was hastened by the arrival of the trains in 1856. The old mansions and estates eventually gave way to residential development and the population grew rapidly from 6,000 in 1841 to 70,000 by the end of the century. Further development took place in the 20s and 30s, and this was later consolidated by post-war council properties and in-fill to replace property destroyed by bombing.
These days Streatham is a popular and sought-after suburb, not quite as sought-after as neighbouring Clapham and Wandsworth perhaps, and definitely not as trendy as burgeoning Brixton, but well-regarded for all that, especially by families attracted by the good supply of large Victorian and Edwardian homes and by first time buyers who find the conversion flats and smaller houses offer relatively good value for money.
Most properties are Victorian, Edwardian and 30s build and range from large 6 bedroom houses with gardens (Streatham Common, parts of Streatham Hill and the streets off the high road) to three and four bed semis, terraces, and cottages. Conversions can be found across the area, often good-sized and good value for money.
Streatham High Road, the main shopping thoroughfare, has the usual collection of high street favourites (Boots, WH Smith, Our Price, Tesco and Sainsbury's etc) but is somewhat marred by heavy traffic. The council have introduced Red Routes to speed things up and a major refurbishment is also in the pipeline, so this should improve.
There is also a growing number of wine bars, restaurants and cafes which cater to the increasingly well-off residents who get more for their money here than they would in neighbouring areas.
Entertainment and leisure facilities are provided by two multi screen cinemas (ABC and Odeon), a bowling alley, ice rink, indoor swimming pool, and nightclub. Brixton and the South Bank are nearby and provide more in the way of nightlife and culture.
Green space is one of Streatham's greatest assets: the common is well tended and possesses a lovely terraced garden, The Rookery, which provides an attractive background for summer theatre. The common also has sports facilities (tennis, bowling, horse ride) as does Tooting Bec Common.
Streatham has no tube, although there is talk of one. The bus routes are consequently among the busiest in London. There are also three railway stations, Streatham and Streatham Common and Streatham Hill (Victoria).
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