Streatham is an area of south London that wears its urban identity proudly, yet balances it with natural beauty. With a High Road that winds for two miles and its proximity to a wealth of leisure activities, it's a busy, buzzy place. And with a wide choice of excellent open spaces nearby, it is easy to escape the metropolitan madness and relax with a leisurely walk.
Its name literally means 'hamlet on the street'. But however much the High Road seems dominant here, the true emphasis is very much on residential areas. Leafy streets are dominated by families, while there is also a considerable population of single people, attracted by the reasonable property prices and the quick links with central London.
Property in the Streatham area is much sought-after. The locale offers everything from Victorian and Edwardian terraces to elegant mansion blocks above commercial premises, from stately detached villas to between-wars bay-windowed semis. Buyers in this locality will find an excellent selection.
Entertainment is well catered for – in fact, with Streatham's ice rink and bowling lanes, nightclubs and nearby open-air lido, it is very much a destination for those from throughout south London and beyond. The tennis courts at Tooting Bec are also very popular.
Residents will find a good selection of the latest films at the Odeon cinema in the High Road, and there is a choice of blockbusters and art house films at the nearby Clapham Picturehouse and the Ritzy in Brixton.
Shopping is diverse and plentiful. All the big names can be found, along with smaller, funkier specialist shops and boutiques. For markets, Tooting and Brixton are famous nearby examples. Supermarkets large and small can be found, from Streatham Hill down to Norbury.
Good restaurants include Pizza Express and the Oriental stylings of Slurp. Many other cuisines feature, from Mexican to top-notch Indian food.
Transport is handy, with a choice of mainline stations including Streatham Hill, Streatham, Streatham Common and Norbury. From any of these, there are trains to both Victoria and London Bridge stations, making commuting particularly straightforward. Also, a wide selection of bus routes serves the area, placing such neighbouring areas as Brixton, Mitcham and Clapham within easy reach.
The true jewel of the area has to be its parkland. Not only is there Streatham Common, with its large areas of green space and beautiful Rookery, but lovely Tooting Bec is great for walking, open-air swimming in the
summer,tennis or just sitting and relaxing. Its variety and beauty attracts visitors from far and wide, mirroring the appeal of the Streatham area itself.