About this office
Our branch of estate agents in Caterham can assist with every stage of the marketing, sales or lettings process, bringing over 165 years combined experience, local knowledge and first-rate customer service. In addition to Caterham itself, we cover many of the surrounding villages including Warlingham, Coulsdon, Kenley, Whyteleafe, Oxted, Purley, Lingfield, Nutfield and South Croydon.
Why move to Caterham?
Caterham is a gem of a town situated south of Croydon, ideally located for access to both central London and the greenbelt countryside of Surrey. Despite its proximity to the capital, Caterham can offer buyers and renters the balance between city and country living that so many crave, along with a lovely community feel. There are many amenities in the town itself, as well as strong transport links with neighbouring towns and ample opportunity to escape the town completely to explore the surrounding countryside on foot or by bike.
A little bit of history
The history of Caterham begins with an Anglo-Saxon settlement in the area known today as Caterham-on-the-Hill. The town expanded into what is now the Caterham Valley in the Victorian era following the arrival of the railway in 1856 along with the opening of the Railway Hotel beginning the development of the Valley. The oldest house in Caterham on the Hill, dated 1495, is located on the High Street along with a 250 year-old cedar tree, which due to superstition, some of the local residents still pass by silently. The well-known Caterham School relocated to Caterham from Lewisham in 1884.
Today, Caterham is a popular commuter town with easy access to central London.
Architecture and property
The property market in Caterham offers something for everyone whether renting or buying, spanning contemporary apartments in the centre of town to large, detached houses in Caterham-on-the-Hill. Family homes are the order of the day in both the Caterham valley and Caterham-on-the-Hill, although this area is the earlier of the two and therefore has a higher proportion of period properties. The oldest house in Caterham-on-the Hill is located on the high street and dates back to 1495, giving a sense of the town’s long history and heritage.
Shopping and amenities
There are a good range of day to day amenities on offer in Caterham. High street shopping can be found in the Caterham Valley, where the Church Walk centre includes such essentials as Boots pharmacy and Specsavers opticians. There is also a choice of supermarkets, including Tesco, Waitrose and Morrisons.
Caterham has a great sporting tradition and is currently home to two youth football teams, a rugby club, and a cricket club.
Going out
Dining out in Caterham encompasses a range of independent eateries and world cuisines, including Casa Lola Tapas Bar, Bua Thai and Pizza Express. Numerous cosy pubs offering hearty Sunday roasts in family-friendly surroundings, including The Harrow and The William Garland, while there are plenty of cafes to choose from for light bites and hot drinks.
The Miller Centre is an excellent venue for local theatre and there is an Everyman cinema a short drive away in neighbouring Oxted.
Green space
Caterham boasts ample green space for outdoor pursuits, including the Surrey National and Coulsdon Manor golf courses. The Farthing Downs and Happy Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest to the north of the town was designated in 1975 due to its chalk grassland, while Coulsdon Common offers walks though ancient woodland. Passing just south of Caterham, the North Downs Way is a must for seasoned hikers, taking in the gorgeous countryside from the Surrey Hills to the Kent coast.
Schools
There are a good range of schools in Caterham in both the private and state sector, serving all age groups. These include the De Stafford School, Audley Primary, Hillcroft Primary, St Francis Catholic Primary and Essendene, as well as the highly regarded, independently run Caterham School and Oakhurst Grange.
Transport
Caterham has fantastic transport links with the M25 and wider motorway network easily accessible at junction 6. The mainline train station is situated in Zone 6 and provides direct services to London Bridge/Victoria in around 55 minutes. Nearby Upper Warlingham train station takes you to London Victoria in 30 minutes. Croydon is to the north, accessed via the A22, while Leatherhead to the west and Sevenoaks to the east can also be reached by car in under half an hour.
