Map & location
Overview
SW16 4AQ is located in Norbury, a predominantly residential neighbourhood in the north of the London Borough of Croydon. Norbury sits between Streatham to the north and Thornton Heath to the south, with the busy London Road (A23) running through its spine, lined with independent shops, cafés and everyday services. The area is characterised by Edwardian and inter-war terraced housing on tree-lined streets, giving it a settled, community-feel character.
The Norbury & Pollards Hill ward forms part of the parliamentary constituency of Streatham and Croydon North. Residents benefit from proximity to Norbury Park and Pollards Hill open spaces, a diverse range of local eateries reflecting the area's multicultural community, and convenient access to central London via the A23 corridor and local rail and bus services.
Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid
The median sold price here is £460,000, around 6% below the wider SW16 district average of £488,292 (HM Land Registry, 375 recent sales).
Getting here
SW16 4AQ is well served by public transport. The A23 London Road is the principal road artery, providing straightforward bus and car connections north towards Streatham and Brixton, and south towards Croydon town centre. Several bus routes run along London Road, connecting Norbury to Streatham, Brixton, Croydon and beyond. Cyclists can use relatively flat routes along London Road or quieter residential streets. By car, the South Circular (A205) is accessible nearby. Street parking is available on surrounding residential roads, with some permit-controlled zones in operation.
What it's famous for
Norbury is noted as the neighbourhood where Arthur Conan Doyle set a key scene — a story in the Sherlock Holmes canon references 'Norbury' as a place Holmes associated with a case he was reluctant to revisit, and locals take a degree of pride in this literary connection. The area has historically been a hub for south London's Sri Lankan Tamil community, with authentic restaurants and cultural businesses concentrated along the London Road giving the neighbourhood a distinctive culinary character. Norbury Park, with its ornamental features and recreational facilities, is a valued green space in the community.
Services & facilities
Provides council services including waste, planning and housing support.
Policing and community safety across the Norbury area.
Fire and rescue service serving SW16 and surrounding postcodes.
Public lending library with study facilities on London Road.
Counter services on or near London Road, SW16.
Tourist attractions
Well-maintained local park with sports pitches and children's play areas.
~0.3 miLarge open green space on the eastern edge of the ward.
~0.9 miLinear high street with independent shops, grocers and restaurants.
~0.1 miVictorian and Edwardian streetscapes worth exploring locally.
~0.4 miPopular open space with woodland and recreational facilities.
~1.2 miGPs, pharmacies & dentists
GP surgeries
SW165PX · 0208 7658525
~150 mSW164NL · 020 86796591
~600 mSW163NP · 02034 746999
~1.0 kmPharmacies
SW164AE · 02087 642230
~150 mSW164AE · 020 87641438
~150 mDentists
SW164BT
~250 mSW164DN
~600 mSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
Schools & universities
The nearest school, Norbury Manor Primary School, is ~400 m away.
Community school
~400 mAcademy converter
~550 mAcademy converter
~750 mCommunity school
~950 mCommunity school
~1.1 kmSource: Get Information About Schools (DfE)
Businesses & shops
Cluster of Sri Lankan, South Asian and Caribbean eateries along London Road.
Mix of grocers, convenience stores and service businesses along London Road.
Several independent and national agents serving the Norbury residential market.
Numerous salons and barbers catering to the area's diverse community.
Gyms & leisure
Sports pitches, green lawns and a children's play area.
~0.3 miOpen grassland and informal recreation on the ward's eastern side.
~0.9 miMajor leisure centre with pool and gym, reachable by bus.
~1.5 miWoodland walks, a café and open lawn popular with families.
~1.2 miCommunity sports and social venue in the Norbury area.
~0.5 miService providers
Fibre broadband infrastructure serving SW16 residential streets.
Cable broadband and TV services available in parts of SW16.
Mains gas and electricity available throughout SW16 4AQ.
Mains water and sewerage services for SW16.
Residential & community
Predominant housing stock; bay-fronted terraces on tree-lined streets.
1930s semis common on roads further from the A23.
Some converted and purpose-built flat blocks along main roads.
Mix of owner-occupied homes and private rented accommodation.
Quiet residential streets with strong community identity and good green space.
Transport
Train & Tube
Norbury
Norbury
Streatham Common
Streatham Vale
Streatham Station
Streatham
Thornton Heath Station
Thornton Heath
Bus stops
London Road (Norbury)
Frequent services northbound to Streatham/Brixton and southbound to Croydon.
Norbury Avenue stops
Local services connecting to Thornton Heath and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Cycle hire
Quiet residential streets
Local cycling on side streets off London Road towards Pollards Hill.
A23 London Road
Marked cycle lane sections northbound towards Streatham and Brixton.
Source: NaPTAN (DfT)
EV, defibrillators & more
EV charging
London Road on-street EV charge points
Some on-street electric vehicle charging bays installed by Croydon Council.
Defibrillators
Norbury Library (defibrillator)
Publicly accessible AED at or near the library building on London Road.
Postboxes & Post Office
Norbury Post Office
Full post office counter services on London Road, SW16.
Fuel stations
Local fuel station — London Road
Petrol station serving A23 corridor near Norbury.
Places of worship
Church of England parish church serving the Norbury community.
~0.3 miMethodist congregation in the Norbury area.
~0.4 miHindu place of worship reflecting the area's South Asian community.
~0.5 miMosque serving the Muslim community in and around Norbury.
~0.5 miCrime & safety
Recorded crime here runs about 292% above the national average (267.1 crimes per 1,000 residents per month, police.uk).
496 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 1,786.
Housing & utilities
The area is dominated by bay-fronted Edwardian terraced houses built circa 1900–1930.
Norbury attracts families seeking larger houses at relatively affordable south London prices.
Estimated roughly even split between owner-occupiers and private renters in the ward.
Demographics
Air quality & noise
Some elevated nitrogen dioxide levels due to heavy traffic on London Road.
Good access to parks within walking distance for most residents.
Ambient road noise elevated on and near the A23; quieter on side streets.
Most of SW16 4AQ is at low flood risk according to Environment Agency mapping.
FAQs
Where exactly is the SW16 4AQ postcode?
SW16 4AQ is located in Norbury, in the north of the London Borough of Croydon, close to the boundary with the London Borough of Merton. It sits within the Norbury & Pollards Hill ward, along the A23 London Road corridor between Streatham and Thornton Heath.
Which council is responsible for SW16 4AQ?
SW16 4AQ falls within the London Borough of Croydon, which provides all local government services including refuse collection, planning, libraries and social care for this address.
Which parliamentary constituency covers SW16 4AQ?
SW16 4AQ is in the Streatham and Croydon North parliamentary constituency, represented in the House of Commons.
What schools are near SW16 4AQ?
Several primary and secondary schools serve the Norbury & Pollards Hill ward. See the Schools section above for the nearest options, including distances and current Ofsted ratings.
What is the Norbury area like to live in?
Norbury is a well-established, multicultural south London suburb known for its Edwardian terraced housing, diverse food and retail offer along London Road, and good access to parks such as Norbury Park and Pollards Hill. It is generally considered a quiet residential neighbourhood with strong community identity.
How do I get from SW16 4AQ into central London?
The area is served by several bus routes along the A23 London Road heading north towards Streatham, Brixton and beyond, providing connections to the wider London transport network. Rail services in the area also connect into central London.
What green spaces are near SW16 4AQ?
Norbury Park is the closest major green space, roughly 0.3 miles away, offering sports pitches and play areas. Pollards Hill recreation ground is about 0.9 miles to the east, and Streatham Common is approximately 1.2 miles to the north.
What is the housing like around SW16 4AQ?
The area is dominated by Edwardian and inter-war bay-fronted terraced houses, with some semi-detached properties on quieter streets. There are also purpose-built and converted flats, particularly along main roads. The housing mix attracts both owner-occupiers and renters.
Nearby postcodes
Other postcodes near SW16 4AQ:
Useful links
Official records and property listings for SW16 4AQ: