It looks like a pretty cottage in the heart of the countryside. But initial impressions can be deceptive, as this little gem of a property proves.
Rather than being surrounded by fields, the house is in the heart of South East London’s Peckham, a now trendy hotspot with railway arch bars and old-school pubs that offer a vibrant nightlife.
The image is a far cry from the vision of the Trotter’s living at downtrodden – fictional – Nelson Mandela House, as seen in iconic television series Only Fools and Horses.
The property is less than 200 yards from Peckham Rye railway station giving easy access into central London.
The tiny terrace is in the heart of South East London’s bustling Peckham, 200 yards from the train station
The house also looks tiny from the outside, with only enough space on the outside exterior wall on the ground floor for the entrance door.
However, while there is no getting away from the house being less than four metres wide, it manages to squeeze in two floors, with two bedrooms and a shower room on the upper floor.
Access to the property is via a paved courtyard via the front of the building, where there is space for an outside dining table.
The courtyard is south-facing, meaning that it catches plenty of sun during the summer months.
The main living room occupies the entire ground floor, with a kitchen, dining area and staircase. It also has underfloor heating.
The entire ground floor is dedicated to a living area that includes a kitchen, dining area and a staircase
The kitchen is at the rear of the property, where there is a double ceramic sink underneath the window
The property’s address at Choumert Square also seems initially misleading as it is not immediately a square but a line of houses accessed by a private footpath.
However, at the far end of the alley, there is a hidden square – or rather a rectangle.
Choumert Square was named after the nineteenth century landowner George Choumert, who appeared on BBC’s Gardeners’ World.
The area has a strong community feel , with residents opening their gardens to the public every June.
The event is held to raise money for charity and has all the fun of an English summer fair that’s squashed into an alley. An access fee is charged during the event and tea, cakes and Pimms are served.
Modern comforts: The light and bright home is spread across two levels and boasts underfloor heating
The property’s address is Choumert Square but it can be found in a line of houses accessed by a private footpath
The property is for sale via estate agents Gareth James, with an asking price of £625,000.
The agent described the property as ‘a beautiful house’, saying: ‘It is in one of the most sought after squares in South East London, although in fact it’s a quaint little lane that could be at the heart of the English countryside.’
It added: ‘The current owners have meticulously updated and modernised this two-bedroom house to make it a perfect home.
‘Choumert Square is fantastically located with easy access – a five min walk at most – to Peckham Rye station for mainline and overground services.’
Peckham has seen a change in fortunes in recent times. Residents love the local Peckham Plex cinema, which still charges just £4.99 a ticket, while it has a number of popular restaurants such as the Begging Bowl, a thai which draws in the crowds.
It also arguably offers some of the best rooftop views of London in the summer, with Frank’s Cafe located on top of a multi-story car park and Bussey Bar both bustling with punters.
Upstairs, there are two bedrooms, with this larger one having sufficient space for a double bed
The floor plan of the terrace in Peckham reveals a total internal area of 289 square feet
The shower room is upstairs, towards the rear of the property, has white units and walls
The property is for sale via estate agents Gareth James, with an asking price of £625,000
The typical price of a property in the area is £526,561, compared to a national average of £279,767, according to property website Zoopla.
According to data from the property website, a typical home at Choumert Square has risen £214,303 in the last decade, or 68.3 per cent.
If Del Boy still lives in the area and owned his flat – in the fictional world of Only Fools and Horses – it appears he could be quids in given how the property market has fared.