Deptford

Deptford in South East London is located in the Borough of Lewisham, just south of Rotherhithe and within easy reach of much of the dockland areas, including nearby Canary Wharf. It is a diverse area with plenty of cultures, offering a mixture of housing for sale and to rent. With a wide range of property types, including period Victorian and Georgian terraces, townhouses, and semi-detached housing, plus stylish ultra-modern apartment complexes, Deptford has wide appeal for all age groups.

Being by the riverside, the neighbourhood offers stunning views across the Thames. There’s also a variety of historical attractions nearby, plus green spaces, the most notable being Greenwich Park, housing the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The area is also known for its lively street market that occupies the high street. Reliable and frequent transport links make the area popular with individuals, families, and professionals working in Canary Wharf and more central areas of the capital.

History

Deptford’s history is largely based around the Deptford Dockyard, an important shipbuilding and maintenance dockyard, originally established by Henry VIII in the 1500s. The name Deptford is said to originate from a ‘deep ford’, a tributary of the River Ravensbourne, locally estimated today to be the area around Deptford Bridge. The area was an important naval dockyard from the 16th to 19th centuries. Throughout much of the time, the dockyard was vital to the growth of the Royal Navy.

Parts of Deptford were hit and destroyed during the Second World War, although not as significantly as other areas of the docklands. The London to Greenwich railway, established in 1836, was the first in the capital. Deptford station itself is among the oldest examples in the world. The rich history of Deptford is still evident to this day. There are many historical sights to view at nearby Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum, and the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Modern Era

Today, Deptford is a thriving, multicultural area and one that is continually changing with new developments. There’s a solid community feel with many people taking up residency for long periods. There is also a sizeable student community serving the nearby Goldsmiths University and the University of Greenwich. The area appeals to many kinds of individuals and groups: professionals, families, students, and others wanting to escape the more expensive area of Surrey Quays. All of the shipbuilding industry of yesteryear has disappeared. Nowadays, much of the neighbourhood is residential with a mix of national chains and independent retailers nearby. Modern apartments line the riverside and creek, offering superb views across the Thames, while other types of residential housing can be found further inland.

Demographics

Deptford is an ethnically diverse, welcoming community for all cultures and there is a wide range of independent businesses, cuisines, and faith establishments within easy reach. The majority of the population is classified as White British, yet many other ethnicities are represented. There is a multicultural feel with Black Caribbean and African residents, among others, forming the rest of the community.

The average age grouping in the area is in the mid-30s, yet there are still plenty of other ages happily living side by side. This makes Deptford a popular residential area for young families, individuals, students, and other social groups. The crime rate is relatively low compared to other areas of the city and there is a strong community feel. Many residents have lived in the area for numerous years.

Parks & Recreation Areas

Deptford has several green areas in the immediate area, most within walking distance. Many of these are smaller local parks and gardens, yet there are still larger parks and recreation grounds within easy reach. Deptford Park to the north of the area is a popular, historic choice and features a playing area and wide-open spaces for relaxation, running, dog walking, and socialising. Folkestone Gardens, Fordham Park, and Ferranti Park are smaller yet still attractive green areas to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

For a larger expense of space, many residents head north to Southwark Park near Surrey Quays. King's Stairs Gardens is also popular and boasts great views of the river. Greenwich Park is the largest park in the area and an excellent choice for walks. This park houses the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory, plus a pond, flower garden, and tennis centre. Similarly, Blackheath south of Greenwich Park offers additional spacious greenery for events, running, and relaxing in the sun.

Transport

Deptford enjoys varied and reliable transport links to other areas of the city. Located within Zone 2, underground, DLR and rail are easily accessible, making the location a good choice for people travelling within or outside of the borough. Deptford Bridge DLR gives affordable and fast access to Canary Wharf. There’s also New Cross overground station for access to other areas south and north of the river. Deptford Train Station provides National Rail and Thameslink services.

Besides rail services, Deptford’s proximity to the river means Thames Clippers are also available for fast and easy transport via the water. Buses are also regular and accessible via many of the stations. Further north, Surrey Quays offers overground services, while Canada Water has both overground and underground links. A ‘cycle superhighway’ on Creek Road and Evelyn Street gives cyclists safe and direct access to many local amenities.

Property

People are attracted to Deptford for its eclectic mix of property types and affordability compared to other nearby areas, such as Surrey Quays. Newcomers to the area can choose from modern apartments, period properties, flats, and townhouses. Terraced Georgian properties can be found on Albury Street while Victorian period examples are available in St John’s conservation area. Although Deptford forgoes the rows upon rows of terraces and semi-detached dwellings commonplace in other areas of London, it does have a fine balance to suit most types of residents.

While there are still some unforgiving 1960s tower blocks in some areas of Deptford, many modern apartments and townhouses have been developed in recent years. Aragon Tower north of the area provides riverside views in a modern apartment building. Greenwich Quay near the border with Greenwich is another popular option for professionals and couples seeking modern amenities in a large complex.

Up-and-coming developments like Convoys Wharf will further boost the appeal and appearance of Deptford. This major 40-acre development on a brownfield site north of the area will provide ultra-modern apartments with spectacular views across the river. Additionally, new parks, schools, and recreation facilities will be introduced, giving the area a massive economic boost.

Estate Agents in Deptford

Bennett Mason has great knowledge and expertise in the Deptford property market. As one of the premier estate agents in the area, we cater to buyers, sellers, and renters, including providing property rental management services to landlords. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help your property search.

Education

There are many schools, colleges, and further education establishments in and around Deptford. Many of the primary, secondary schools, and academies have ‘good’, ‘very good’ or even ‘outstanding’ Ofsted inspection reports. Specialist schools and a number of faith schools are within a short travelling distance. There are also several nurseries in the immediate area operating convenient hours.

Besides a wealth of highly sought-after schools, there are several colleges and universities in the vicinity. The University of Greenwich is a short distance away, as is Goldsmiths University, situated just next to New Cross Station. Some adult education and specialist colleges are also easily accessible via the major transport links. Lewisham College, Bellerbys College London, and Morley College are other popular examples.

Restaurants

Deptford has a varied selection of restaurants and eateries, largely situated around the main high street, although there are numerous others within easy reach. The Market Yard is another popular destination and features bars, restaurants, and independent shops. Many cuisines are represented, including Caribbean, African, Indian, Japanese, Italian, Vietnamese, British, and others.

Further restaurants can be found in nearby Surrey Quays. Head to Canary Wharf, a short distance away, to find even more food choices. There’s a great selection of cheap eats, mid-range diners, and upscale restaurants to choose from. Besides dine-in restaurants, residents have access to many independent cafes and eateries from different cultures scattered in and around the area.

Pubs & Nightlife

Nightlife in Deptford consists of traditional pubs, modern bars, performing arts, and entertainment venues, like the renowned Albany Arts Centre. There’s plenty of trendy cocktail bars, alehouses, traditional inns, along with restaurants to keep residents and visitors to the area entertained — many with live entertainment at night. Deptford Market Yard is one of the most popular go-to destinations and features regular outdoor performing acts alongside a mix of bars, shops, and eateries.

The northern section of the high street plays host to a range of modern cocktail bars. Typical examples include Jars Bar, Taproom SE8, and Buster Mantis. The Job Centre bar is a good choice for craft ale lovers. Others can be found along and around New Cross Road. There are also pubs, like Little Faith, alongside Deptford Creek and on the riverside further towards Greenwich. Accessing London’s West End is also relatively simple thanks to reliable and frequent transport links.

Shopping

Much of the shopping offer in Deptford is situated along the main high street. This is the primary shopping area and features an array of independent stores and services, including specialist supermarkets, barber shops, fashion retailers, electrical stores, eateries, cafes, butchers, beauty providers, and others. Deptford Market is highly regarded within the area and is based on the high street, operating several times a week. Some national chains are also represented in this area.

A short distance north, Surrey Quays shopping centre provides an undercover, modern environment for ‘big brand’ shopping. This can be accessed via New Cross Station to Surrey Quays Station, or by using the regular bus services. Drivers can take advantage of the large car park available at Surrey Quays shopping centre. A large Tesco Extra and other retailers are within easy reach of Deptford.

Summary

Deptford provides a great assortment of property types and appeals to wide segments of the community with its location in London’s docklands and reliable transport links. The area is constantly changing with new developments in the pipeline, yet there is a strong community feel maintained among its residents. Property prices are lower than some neighbouring areas and the mix of housing appeals to a wide range of people, including individuals, families, and students.

With a large selection of schools with impressive Ofsted reports, plus nearby universities, the area is popular with those seeking good education. But the regular transport to other areas of London is also of great appeal. While transport links provide easy access to many other parts of the city, Deptford has plenty to keep residents entertained on their doorstep. There’s an impressive mixture of restaurants and evening entertainment, plus numerous cultural attractions nearby.

Bennett Mason is an experienced estate agent in Deptford. We have expert knowledge of the area and many other locations in London. Whether for sale, for rent, or property management, we are ready to assist. Get in touch with us to speak to a friendly advisor on 020 4531 9120. We are waiting to take your call.