Southwark Area

Southwark Area

If you are thinking of moving to the London Borough of Southwark or the Southwark area or visiting Southwark then we hope you find our view and review of the Southwark area interesting.

We are chartered surveyors, so our view of Southwark may be a bit property biased, but would you expect us to be anything else but property biased! We carry out surveys all over London , including building surveys, structural surveys, engineers reports, of course we are happy to carry them out in Southwark. We have tried to put other interesting non-property facts about Southwark and the Southwark area, many of which we don't think you will find anywhere else on the Internet.

Advert for independent chartered surveyors

We have independent chartered surveyors who carry out building surveys, structural surveys and defects reports in Southwark and are very experienced and will give you peace of mind for your new home or commercial property. We also deal with Schedules of Dilapidation and Schedules of Conditions and act for you whether you are the Landlord or Tenant. If you want property advice then please contact us on free phone 0800 298 5424.

Southwark , a bit of fun

If you can read these articles in the sprit they were written; that they were written for people that don't know the area. We would be more than happy to add any comments from the Southwark area and also comments from Southwark locals who feel that we've missed out any important facts, or indeed if any of the facts we have put down are not accurate.

Where in London is Southwark?

Southwark and the Southwark area is in South London , or to be more accurate in the South East corner of the City Centre of London and within walking distance! This is an area undergoing continuous regeneration attracting it as a place to live. Southwark is made up of areas such as Elephant Castle , Newington Bermondsey Lambeth and Waterloo !  Important links to the city such as Lambeth and Westminster Bridge , are located in the area.

We carry out surveys, structural surveys and building surveys on all sorts of buildings all over London and we have carried out lots in the Southwark area.

A bit further afield

Surrounding and neighbouring areas include Westminster , Kensington, Greenwich   and Westminster. 

Thanks to Google Maps for help with this information.

Ways to travel in the Southwark area

Unlike some parts of London in fact most areas of London, you can avoid the congestion charge in travelling around some areas need, however beware using Southwark roads on the way to the South East, which are manic during rush hour, with the A2  providing access into South East London, which also goes past  areas such as Vauxhall Peckham and New Cross on the way to Greenwich. The potential to get lost is high!

It has the following rail links and tub links provided by the Bakerloo and Northern Line both of which are fast services but the Bakerloo is a hot and noisy service!

This area is also covered by the excellent Google Street View, where you can literally walk along the road.

Interesting facts we know about the Southwark area

Interesting fact about Southwark number one

There is a point made that Romans settled here originally as some remains have been found in the area. After this point the area was resided by wealthy people and some people used it a resting area due to the many inns that developed in the area, they were lucky in those days when they didn't have to pay to park outside these pubs and watch for wardens!  (It is rumoured that our surveyors have cups of tea in the area during a Survey and they know Elephant and Castle is a good place to visit, particularly if you like small shops that sell second bits and pieces, but they do not like the many areas which are for permit holders only).

Interesting fact about Southwark number two

Southwark has interesting buildings and some fascinating architecture and styles available in London .  It contains a range of houses, from the 1800's with red brick style and decent garden space. Deterioration of bricks are considered by our Chartered Surveyors.

Interesting fact about Southwark number three

We have just remembered one other thing about Southwark and that is the trade of shops started to increase in the area of 1800's this is when its inhabitants increased and the borough was made a part of London in 1889. It is argued that you can still smell the scent of this old trade in the area!

Southwark History

There is proof that Southwark was the residence of Romans and Anglo Saxons, who were original settlers.

During the 20 th Century there was a redevelopment of buildings in Southwark. However many of the key architectural jewels of the 20 th Century remain. They are of a great variety and types of architectural styles existent in these buildings, such as Gothic style Cathedrals, Important bridges Museums Palaces of the 1800's and before.

Famous people that were born, have lived, or are living in Southwark

There are many famous residents and ex-residents of the Southwark area,  for example Charlie Chaplin.  We also heard a rumour that that he adopted his walking style from someone who used to deliver bread in the area near Old Kent Road ! Charlie Chaplin was born in Walworth, he became a much loved actor in films and arts of the early 1900's.

Famous buildings we have not surveyed!

•  The Tate Modern gallery at Southwark, which is worth a visit for its famous paintings.

•  The London South Bank University in Elephant and Castle and the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre which is full of small convenience outlets!

Unfortunately we haven't been able to come up with any other really famous buildings in the Southwark area, so anyone who knows any please phone or e-mail us, we are sure we can sort out some sort of prize.

We would add that as with many areas of London it has a mass of Victorian and Georgian houses, which may up the majority of the housing stock in the area, with some newer developments for the after war building took place, replacing bomb damaged houses and some housing with 1960 post-war built houses. We are more than happy to carry out building surveys, structural surveys, engineers reports on these properties to give you a clear idea of any problems that you may be buying when you buy your new house.

Things to do in Southwark

In Southwark the entertainment is excellent as anywhere in London there are the famous Shakespeare Globe and the Royal National Theatre, funded by the Arts Council.

There are some pubs and bars nearby to the theatre in keeping with the tradition of the area (remember was a stop off point for drinkers), and Tate Modern Gallery offers interesting tours.

Elephant and Castle shopping centre is worth a visit if you decide to live locally for local shopping but do not expect to find any luxury departments here!

There is the Bankside on the South part of the River Thames, where there are festivals and many interesting events for Children.

If you fancy a bit or architecture try the Southwark Cathedral, which has some marvellous Gothic Architecture.

There are a lot of pubs in the area such as Elephant and Castle, Lambeth and Old Kent Road if you fancy a drink and our Surveyors definitely enjoy that after a hard weeks work in sunny London,  It hard to think of an example, there are so many tourists around Lambeth which means it is very confusing to remember all the places there are to go to!

Independent Chartered Surveyors

If you truly do want an independent expert opinion from a chartered surveyor, and many of us are also chartered builders, with regard to valuations, mortgages, mortgage companies, surveys, building surveys, structural reports, engineers reports, specific defects report, structural surveys, home buyers reports or any other property matters please contact 0800 298 5424 for a chartered surveyor to give you a call back.

Commercial property independent chartered surveyors advice

If you have a commercial property, whether it is freehold or leasehold then sooner or later you may get involved with dilapidation claims. You may wish to look at our Dilapidations Website at www.DilapsHelp.com and for Disputes go to our Disputes Help site www.DisputesHelp.com .

We hope you found the article of use and if you have any experiences that you feel should be added to this article that would benefit others, or you feel that some of the information that we have put is wrong then please do not hesitate to contact us (we are only human).

The contents of the web site are for general information only and is not intended to be relied upon for specific or general decisions. Appropriate independent professional advice should be paid for before making such a decision.

All rights are reserved the contents of the web site is not to be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or part without the express written permission of www.1stAssociated.co.uk