Map & location
Overview
SE23 3HZ is located in Forest Hill, a vibrant and increasingly sought-after neighbourhood in the London Borough of Lewisham. Situated on the ridge of one of south-east London's higher elevations, Forest Hill offers a genuine village atmosphere combined with excellent transport links into central London. The area is known for its independent shops and cafés along Dartmouth Road, its Victorian and Edwardian terraces, and the renowned Horniman Museum and Gardens just to the north.
The postcode falls within the Forest Hill ward and is well-served by local green spaces including Blythe Hill Fields and the wider Sydenham Hill Wood. Neighbouring areas include Honor Oak Park to the west, Sydenham to the east, and Catford further south. The community has a strong local identity, with active residents' associations and a busy programme of community events throughout the year.
Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid
The median sold price here is £440,000, around 7% below the wider SE23 district average of £472,833 (HM Land Registry, 560 recent sales).
Getting here
Forest Hill is well connected by rail, with frequent Overground and Thameslink services providing fast access to London Bridge, Victoria and beyond. Several bus routes serve the SE23 3HZ area along Dartmouth Road and London Road, linking the postcode to Lewisham, Crystal Palace, Catford and Peckham. Cyclists benefit from designated routes through Blythe Hill Fields and along quieter residential streets connecting to the wider Sustrans network. The neighbourhood is also walkable to Honor Oak Park station, broadening travel options further.
What it's famous for
Forest Hill is perhaps best known as home to the Horniman Museum and Gardens, a world-class free museum founded by tea merchant Frederick Horniman, whose eclectic collections span natural history, anthropology and musical instruments. The area has historically attracted artists, musicians and writers thanks to its leafy streets and community spirit. Blythe Hill Fields, with its panoramic views over central London, is a beloved local landmark and hosts popular community events. Dartmouth Road's independent businesses — delis, coffee shops, bookshops and galleries — give Forest Hill a distinctive neighbourhood character that sets it apart from more generic south London high streets.
Services & facilities
Local authority providing housing, planning and council services
Kerbside collection for recycling, food waste and general refuse
Public library on Dartmouth Road with community programmes
Counter services on Dartmouth Road for parcels and banking
Active residents' group organising local events and advocacy
Tourist attractions
World-class free museum with natural history and musical instrument collections
~0.7 miOpen parkland with sweeping panoramic views across central London
~0.4 miAncient woodland and nature reserve managed by the London Wildlife Trust
~1.0 miLarge green space with sports facilities and children's play areas
~0.6 miCharacterful independent shops, cafés and restaurants at the heart of Forest Hill
~0.3 miGPs, pharmacies & dentists
GP surgeries
SE266JQ · 020 86992840
~700 mSE232JF · 020 82917007
~900 mSE232JF · 02082 917007
~900 mPharmacies
SE233HN · 020 86994443
~300 mSE264BB · 020 86993172
~500 mSE232JF · 02033 377646
~900 mDentists
SE233HN
~300 mSE233HN
~300 mSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
Schools & universities
The nearest school, Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, is ~50 m away.
Voluntary aided school
~50 mCommunity school
~200 mCommunity school
~400 mAcademy converter
~450 mVoluntary aided school
~500 mSource: Get Information About Schools (DfE)
Businesses & shops
Cluster of independent delis, bookshops and lifestyle boutiques
Growing food and drink scene centred on Forest Hill's high street
Small studios and freelance professionals attracted by affordable workspace
Active residential property market serving buyers and renters in SE23
Gyms & leisure
Open-air concerts, kite flying and Sunday strolls with London skyline views
~0.4 miFree family days out with aquarium, musical instruments and gardens
~0.7 miPublic swimming and fitness centre on Dartmouth Road
~0.3 miSeveral welcoming local pubs including long-established Forest Hill venues
~0.2 miGuided nature walks and wildlife spotting in ancient woodland
~1.0 miService providers
Fibre-to-the-cabinet and full-fibre broadband available in SE23
Cable broadband and TV services available in parts of Forest Hill
Good 4G and 5G coverage across the SE23 3HZ area
Electricity and gas network serving Greater London
Residential & community
Dominant housing stock; two- and three-storey brick terrace homes
Converted period flats and some newer apartment blocks in the area
Interwar semis on quieter residential streets around Blythe Hill
Owner-occupied, private rented and social housing in the ward
Ongoing investment in local high street and housing in Lewisham borough
Transport
Train & Tube
Catford
Catford
Catford Bridge
Catford
Crofton Park Station
Crofton Park
Bellingham Station
Bellingham
Bus stops
Dartmouth Road / Forest Hill
Frequent southbound services towards Catford and Lewisham
London Road (Forest Hill)
Services to Crystal Palace, Peckham and Lewisham town centre
Stanstead Road
Links to Honor Oak Park, Catford and Brockley
Cycle hire
Blythe Hill Fields cycle path
Traffic-free off-road route through parkland towards Honor Oak
Sustrans Route 21
Signed national cycle network route passing through Forest Hill
Source: NaPTAN (DfT)
EV, defibrillators & more
EV charging
Lewisham Council EV charging
On-street electric vehicle charge points in residential streets nearby
Defibrillators
Forest Hill Library (AED)
Publicly accessible defibrillator at the library on Dartmouth Road
Postboxes & Post Office
Forest Hill Post Office
Full counter services including parcels, currency and banking
Fuel stations
Petrol station (Honor Oak Park area)
Nearest forecourt fuel and convenience retail
Places of worship
Victorian Anglican parish church serving the local community
~0.4 miRC parish church off Dartmouth Road
~0.5 miActive Methodist congregation with community hall
~0.3 miLocal mosque serving the Muslim community in SE23 and SE26
~0.9 miCrime & safety
Recorded crime here runs about 46% above the national average (99.4 crimes per 1,000 residents per month, police.uk).
403 street-level crimes were reported within about a mile of this postcode in April 2026.
Source: data.police.uk. Locations are approximate (anonymised to map points) and cover England, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Area data & demographics
This neighbourhood falls in deprivation decile 3 of 10 (1 = most deprived), among the more deprived areas (Indices of Deprivation).
At the 2021 Census, this neighbourhood (LSOA) had a usual resident population of about 2,133.
Housing & utilities
Most homes date from the 1880s–1920s; sought-after for period features
Mix of terraces, semis and flats typical of inner south-east London
Increasing numbers of families and young professionals buying in SE23
Air quality & noise
Significant green lungs within easy walking distance of SE23 3HZ
Air quality better than central London; some traffic pollution on main roads
Elevated position means SE23 3HZ has very low surface-water flood risk
Mostly quiet residential streets; some noise from rail corridor to the east
FAQs
Where is SE23 3HZ located?
SE23 3HZ is in Forest Hill, a neighbourhood in the London Borough of Lewisham in south-east London. It sits on elevated ground between Honor Oak Park and Sydenham, roughly 6 miles south-east of central London.
Which council covers SE23 3HZ?
SE23 3HZ falls within the London Borough of Lewisham, which provides local services including planning, waste collection, libraries and social care.
Which parliamentary constituency is SE23 3HZ in?
The postcode is in the Lewisham West and East Dulwich parliamentary constituency.
What ward is SE23 3HZ in?
SE23 3HZ is in Forest Hill ward, one of the wards that make up the London Borough of Lewisham.
What is the Forest Hill area like to live in?
Forest Hill is considered a friendly, community-focused neighbourhood with a strong independent high street on Dartmouth Road, good green spaces including Blythe Hill Fields, and a mix of Victorian and Edwardian housing. It attracts families and young professionals drawn by its village feel and transport links.
Are there schools near SE23 3HZ?
Several schools serve the Forest Hill area across primary and secondary phases — see the Schools section above for the nearest options with distances and Ofsted ratings.
What transport links are available from SE23 3HZ?
Forest Hill has regular rail services connecting to central London, with multiple bus routes serving Dartmouth Road and surrounding streets. The area is in TfL fare Zone 3.
What is SE23 3HZ's postcode sector and district?
SE23 3HZ is in the SE23 postcode district (Forest Hill and surrounding areas) and specifically the SE23 3 sector, covering the southern and central parts of Forest Hill.
Useful links
Official records and property listings for SE23 3HZ: