The Webb Estate
The Webb Estate is probably South London’s best kept secret, an unspoilt and private Estate, situated in a protected conservation area close to Purley town centre, a prosperous district in South London, located close to Croydon and within an easy commute of both the City and West End of London. This jewel in the South London crown, can only be described as a very special place to live and bring up a large family in a safe and beautiful environment.
The Webb Estate covers about 260 acres to the West of Purley town centre. William Webb, a local estate agent bought the site in 1888 and proceeded to develop it according to his own theories of housing development. He later explained these in his book, 'Garden First', published in 1919.
He suggested that 'the occupiers of houses (should) not only have the enjoyment of their own premises in private seclusion, but that, both from their own upper windows and when passing along the roads, it may appear as if they are in one large garden of which their holding is part.'
Webb established the planting of trees and shrubs and the layout of other landscape features well before the first houses were built. His dream of a garden home for city men received a great boost in 1901 when the Croydon Municipal Tramways reached Purley, bringing the Estate within comfortable commuting distance of London.
Upper Woodcote House was the first dwelling on the Estate and was Webb's own home. Also in 1903 a model village was laid out in the south-western corner of the Estate. The cottages surrounding it were to be occupied by men working on the Estate. Following the creation of the green and its surroundings, the roads of the estate were gradually developed. Certain roads were developed according to a specific planting scheme. RoseWalk was laid out in 1907 in accordance with Webb's principle of gardens first, the plots were offered for sale in 1911.
Extensive preparation of the soil was carried out, and 6000 roses comprising 400 varieties were planted.
Silver Lane followed and was planted with four rows of Silver Birch trees carpeted with bulbs and wild flowers.
The houses followed only when the landscaping had partly matured. In 1912 the south border was completed with a herbaceous border in front of each plot and over the next eight years or so Furze Hill, Furze Lane, Woodcote Lane and Briar Hill were completed.
After the 1914 - 1918 war, Webb constructed the Promenade de Verdun and planted a line of Lombardy Poplar trees in soil brought from France. At the end of the Promenade stands an obelisk to the memory of the French soldiers who fell in the War.
The fallen British soldiers were given their war memorial of granite on the green. By 1925 the Webb Estate was essentially complete, since when a certain amount of modern infilling has taken place, but this has not affected the attractive secluded character of the area. It still remains the most attractive private residential estate affording not only privacy and enjoyment to all those who live in the area, but also interest and pleasure to those visitors who pass along its roads. The Webb Estate was designated as a Conservation Area under Section 277 of the Town and Country Act 1971 by the council on June 27th 1983. This followed the designation of the Upper Woodcote Village area as a Conservation Area in November 1973 and action by the local residents and other bodies over many years to extend the protection to a greater proportion of the Webb Estate.
Back in 1970, the average selling price of a detached house on the Webb Estate was around £30-35,000. In December 2006, one of the semi-detached cottages surrounding the green sold for £695,000. In January 2007 it was still possible to purchase a semi-detached house in Furze Lane from around £600,000, while detached houses in the Conservation Area started at around £1,100,000. The average selling price of a detached house during 2006 was approaching £2,000,000. Today, in 2015 semi-detached houses in Furze Lane have been selling between £820,000 and £1,000,000. During 2015 detached houses of varying sizes have sold between £1,400,000 for a smaller property up to £3,000,000 for a larger property, at this time the highest selling price on the Webb Estate is equivalent to £4,500,000.
The Webb Estate boasts its own Village green and shop “The Lord Roberts”, providing a post office and a good selection of everyday essentials from a pint of milk to the Sunday papers.
The Webb Estate is home to the exclusive and private Cumnor House school, with both the girls school and nursery located in Woodcote Lane, while the boys school is located nearby in Pampisford road. Purley and its surrounding area is known for many excellent state and private schools, which also include The John Fisher School, St David’s, Woodcote High School, plus in the surrounding areas: Croydon High School, Old Palace, Whitgift School, Trinity, Wallington Boys and Girls, Wilsons and Caterham School. There are also other nurseries and colleges nearby.
The town centre is located within easy walking distance and features various recognisable high street retailers, cafes and restaurants, as well as independent stores and designer boutiques. In addition, there are plenty of recreational facilities nearby, such as Purley Swimming Pool, Purley Sports Club, Surrey Health and Racquets Club, cinemas, bowling alleys and two golf clubs: Purley Downs and Woodcote Park.
When it comes to exploring the great outdoors, residents of the Webb Estate are spoiled for choice, with a range of open spaces on the doorstep, all perfect for family outings; options include Purley Beeches, Kenley Common, Farthing Downs and Oaks Park.
Croydon town centre is nearby, offering a huge selection of shops and restaurants and coming very soon to Croydon is a brand new Westfield Shopping Centre. Just a short drive away you will find the 8 screen View Cinema on the Purley Way. South Croydon is famous for the quantity and variety of restaurants it offers and the Popular Surrey Street Market situated in the heart of the old town is a market open 6 days a week with a variety of stalls selling a range of produce and products.
If its arts and culture that interests you look no further than the Fairfield Halls within which the Ashcroft Theatre, Concert Hall, Arnhem Gallery and the New Studio offers a fabulous selection of Plays, Ballet, concerts, music, Art and much more.
Its close proximity to London makes the Webb Estate ideal for families and commuters – a relatively short drive down the A23 will take you straight in to the capital in under an hour. This exclusive private gated Estate is within walking distance of Purley station, by train you can reach London Bridge painlessly in half an hour or London Victoria in about 40 minutes. The M25 and M23 are less than six miles away, and there’s easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
ShineRocks Estate Agents was founded in Purley more than 20 years ago. As a leading authority both on the area and in the property industry, we’re proud to sell quality homes in the £300,000 to £3,000,000+ bracket, while simultaneously offering the highest levels of service and timely communication to our many valued clients.
If you would like us to value your home, please call us on 020 8660 2010 or send an e-mail to enquiries@shinerocks.co.uk
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