Local area guide

Living in Penge

Thinking about moving to Penge? Discover why it's a great place to live, fun things to do here, what the local schools are like, transport connections and so much more.

Your guide to moving to Penge

Why Penge is a good place to live

Penge, located a short nine miles from central London, offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern convenience. The residential area showcases an array of attractive properties along roads such as Thicket Road and Anerley Park, adding to the visual appeal of the neighbourhood. Perfect for city commuters, the robust train links provide easy connection to Victoria and London Bridge, making travelling a breeze when living in Penge. With its affordability and proximity to central London, moving to Penge is increasingly becoming a favored choice for first-time buyers and young professionals.

What's Penge famous for?

Penge is famous for its historical connections and pop culture associations. The massive Crystal Palace, which was initially created for the Great Exhibition, found its new home on Penge Common in 1854, dramatically transforming the area's landscape. But the rich architectural heritage of Penge extends beyond the Crystal Palace. The town is home to striking historical almshouses like the Royal Watermen’s and Lightermen’s Asylum and Queen Adelaide Almshouses. Furthermore, Penge had a long-standing association with BBC's TV hit Come Dancing, with a local formation team featuring in the programme for nearly five decades.

Things to do in Penge

A melange of different activities awaits those spending time in Penge. For nature enthusiasts, the Alexandra Nurseries in Parish Lane offers a stylish garden center adorned with a café. Furthermore, the enchanting Crystal Palace Park boasts unique dinosaur sculptures ready to pique your interest at every turn. If you're feeling active, you can get involved in some energetic sailing activities at South Norwood Lake. Shopping lovers will enjoy the High Street teeming with independent shops and boutiques. And of course, for coffee lovers, Penge offers several charming independent cafes like the Blue Mountain Café and the Blue Belle in Maple Road to while away a relaxed afternoon.

We have used a bespoke generative AI model to help us research and create our area guides. All of our content is reviewed, and edited where needed, by our trusted team of Zoopla content editors.

Properties currently for sale in Penge

Whether you're looking to buy a family home or a beautiful apartment, we've got you covered.

Transport in Penge

Find the nearest train stations and other transport links in Penge.

Local connections

Kent House
National Rail
0.3 miles / 0.5 km
Penge East
National Rail
0.4 miles / 0.6 km
Penge West
National Rail
0.5 miles / 0.8 km
Clock House
National Rail
0.6 miles / 1.0 km
Anerley
National Rail
0.6 miles / 1.0 km
Birkbeck
National Rail
0.7 miles / 1.1 km

Schools in Penge

Discover local primary schools, secondary schools and sixth form colleges in Penge.

Education in Penge

Harris Primary Academy Kent House
Ages: 3 - 11 years old
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding (2022)
St John's Church of England Primary School
Ages: 4 - 11 years old
Ofsted Rating: Good (2019)
Alexandra Infant School
Ages: 5 - 7 years old
Ofsted Rating: Good (2023)
Harris Primary Academy Crystal Palace
Ages: 3 - 11 years old
Ofsted Rating: Good (2019)
St Anthony's Catholic Primary School
Ages: 2 - 11 years old
Ofsted Rating: Good (2019)
Harris Girls Academy Bromley
Ages: 11 - 18 years old
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding (2017)

Local pubs in Penge

In partnership with
useyourlocal