Bird In Bush Road, Peckham, SE15

We bought this property in 2017 as first-time buyers and it has been a fantastic first home for us as a couple.

The first things that really grabbed us were the high ceilings, the quietness of the road and the view onto the garden, as you really do feel you're in rural countryside with all the beautiful greenery. And it's right there, in front of you! We didn't really know Peckham and were originally looking at East London and other parts.

When we first moved in we used the second bedroom as a guest room, with a double bed and space for a wardrobe and furniture. More recently we changed it into a home office with a desk and sofa bed, and after having our daughter it became her nursery, with the desk moved into our main bedroom.

The main living area is a great entertaining space, and the tall ceilings mean we've been able to add extra storage units above the kitchen cabinets, which provide useful additional space.

Having our own private garden has been such a blessing, especially through lockdown as we would have gone stir crazy without it. It's perfect for sitting out with a morning coffee, BBQs on warm evenings, or just opening the bi-fold doors to let the outside in - we barely have them closed in the summer. At times it's been a real sanctuary for us, and it's so quiet and idyllic. The building is set back from the street, and so with beautiful trees and planting, it feels private and peaceful, and very un-London like. You would never think you're so close to bustling Peckham.

The street has a very friendly feel and we get along well with our neighbours, especially those in the building. We don't know everyone, but we all nod and say hello and it's all very respectful.

Peckham is an amazing place to be, with plenty of restaurants, bars and shops. Forza Wine is a favourite bar with its rooftop views, and The Montpelier and Copeland Social are always great for a drink. We're pretty spoilt with food options - Ganapati, The Begging Bowl and Mr. Bao are all amazing - and it's easy to head to Camberwell or Bermondsey for even more choice.

The Surrey Canal Path meets the end of the street, and from there it's a 5-minute walk down to Peckham Pulse Leisure Centre and the top of town, or up to Burgess Park with its lake, tennis courts, cafes and running routes.

An important thing for us was to be well-connected to central London. We most often take the 63 from the end of the road, which gets to Elephant and Castle for the tube in 10 minutes, and continues on to Farringdon and Kings Cross. There are also direct routes to the City and Shoreditch, or it's a 15 minute walk to either Peckham Rye or Queens Road Peckham overground stations with direct rail routes to Victoria, Blackfriars and Clapham Junction. We also often cycle, and have a large bike shed at the front of the flat. We also have a car, and we never struggle to find a spot with free on-street parking.

After six years happy years we're moving to be a little closer to family for help with childcare, but we'll really miss it here. The flat has adapted with us over the years, and we have a lot of fond memories.

Oh, and there's not an inch of wasted space in the property. It doesn't measure as a big flat but it feels bigger than you'd think, as all the rooms are very good sizes and there's plenty of storage space.

Lease 115 Years
£900 per annum service charges
£300 per annum ground rent
Council Tax band B - £1,316.72