Claylands Road, London SW8

“A peaceful walled garden extends the living space outside”

This bright three-bedroom house occupies a quiet stretch of Claylands Road in Oval, as part of the 1970s Ashmole Estate. The house is a wonderful example of Britain’s post-war architecture, echoing the proportions of the surrounding Victorian terraces. Inside, the interiors have been thoughtfully designed with a contemporary palette of resin, zinc and walnut. The house is a few minutes’ walk from Oval and Vauxhall Underground Stations and the Grade II-listed green spaces of Vauxhall and Kennington Parks.

The Tour

The house sits behind an enclosed front courtyard, creating a welcoming approach. The door opens onto a hallway that stores coats and shoes, and there is a downstairs WC.

The ground floor has been opened to create a spacious kitchen-living room; underfoot, deep grey resin flooring creates a sense of continuity. The kitchen is arranged in a U-shape layout, with walnut cabinetry, patinated zinc worktops, and integrated appliances, including a Smeg gas cooker. A large pantry and substantial built-in shelving provide additional storage spanning the length of the staircase. Above, a run of skylights draws light deep into the plan, enhanced by sliding doors opening to the south-west facing garden.

There are three bedrooms upstairs, with bamboo flooring underfoot. The principal bedroom has built-in storage and a walk-in wardrobe, while each benefits from a set of windows that overlook the treetops.

The bathroom sits next door to the guest room, with a bath and shower overhead and mustard yellow rubber flooring. A utility cupboard with a washer and a separate dryer completes the floor.

Outdoor Space

Large sliding doors open from the living room to the south-west facing garden. The walled garden has been recently hardscaped; surrounded by mature planting and a bountiful fig tree, it radiates a quiet sense of remove, and a shed provides storage.

The Area

Oval is well-loved by locals and is well provided for with outdoor spaces. Grade II-listed Kennington Park, Myatt’s Fields and Vauxhall Park (which has a green flag award) are all within easy reach of the house. Nearby, The Fentiman Arms and the Canton Arms provide excellent food, and Kennington has a weekly farmers market at St Mark’s Church. Nearby Liloos cafe is a real draw, and Brunswick House serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner from a Georgian Mansion, while Italo Deli on Bonnington Square is a local institution. Peckham and Camberwell are easily reached by bus with their lively food and bar scene.

Claylands Road is a short walk from the Thames Path, which runs east into the centre of London and will soon connect west through the ongoing development of Nine Elms, Vauxhall and Battersea. Kennington Road has excellent local amenities, while the Kennington Triangle has undergone something of an artistic rebirth in recent years and is now home to Newport Street Gallery, CABINET Gallery, Gasworks, The Camera Club, The Tea House Theatre and The City & Guilds London School of Art.

Nearby Ashmole Primary School is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. The area is exceptionally well connected; both Oval (Northern Line, both Bank and Charing Cross branch) and Vauxhall (Victoria Line and National Rail services) tube stations are a few minutes’ walk away. There are good bus connections into the city and access to cycle superhighways.

Tenure: Freehold | Service Charge: £38 per month | Council Tax Band: D