History  

Initially a village dating from the mid 17th Century leased to Thomas Pepys, the brother of Samuel-whose name is given to one of the roads in Telegraph Hill.  The manor of Hatcham as the area was known historically was a ‘market garden’ for Central London.  It was largely developed residentially in the late 19th Century during the tenure of the city Livery Company, the Haberdashers when they owned the Estate.
 
The area has always been a fulcrum of major arterial routes.  The New Cross turnpike, for example, is within 30 yards of Parkers’ Office. 
 
The Haberdashers Company still have a presence in the area, in the form of Aske’s school with its two sites on Jerningham and Pepys Roads.  Nowadays New Cross prime residential enclaves are centred on Hatcham Park and Telegraph Hill, both enjoying Conservation Area status.

Haberdashers-Aske School

Goldsmiths College, University of London

The latter taking its name from the high ground presently a public park owing to the siting of a semaphore station in 1794 keeping watch on the French Emperor Napoleon and his threat to invade England.  History suggests the station signalled Wellington's victory at Waterloo.   
 

The present market  

New Cross sits in Zone 2 within the London public transport system with 2 stations, both rail and the underground's East London Line, giving quick links to mainly London Bridge, Shoreditch or, via a change at Canada Water, access to the Jubilee Line, thence both the West End and Canary Wharf. Buses too are extensive, running to the West End via Victoria and the City of London via Elephant and Castle and Borough.

Brocklehurst Street

Sainsburys

New Cross today is a mixed community, both ethnically, socially, and aspirationally, and none the worse for it.  A mix of first time buyers, a large rental population (dominated by student tenants from Goldsmith's College, part of London University)and career orientated families occupying the period elegance of the Victorian houses of Telegraph Hill.

The area is perceived within the context of the wider South-East London market as offering fair, even good value, for those who choose to live their lives here.  An oft repeated commentary on the area as a whole is the sense of loyalty, involvement, and length of occupation within New Cross.  Parkers often come across tenants who initially rent, become first time buyers then ultimately achieve the property pinnacle of a family living in a large house 'On The Hill'.

The Venue

Erlanger Road, Telegraph Hill