Central Hill Estate

Central Hill Estate was designed by Rosemary Stjernstedt and the Lambeth Borough Architects under the leadership of Ted Hollamby. The estate, finished in 1975, was designed to preserve the skyline of the 'fresh air' Borough of Lambeth. It was carefully landscaped around the existing trees and contours, providing spectacular views of Central London from its elevated position, creating open spaces for its residents and green corridors for wildlife.

Like Cressingham Gardens in Tulse Hill, Central Hill is a perfect example of how Ted Hollamby wanted to place 'people at the heart of his designs'. In 1963, he became Borough Architect for Lambeth and invited Rosemary Stjernstedt to lead the design team for Central Hill. Stjernstedt was the first woman architect to be accredited Grade I from the London County Council after her role as Group Leader for the pioneering and award-winning Alton East estate in Roehampton.

Central Hill is unique as it is inspired by a Scandinavian and Humanistic approach to modern architecture, planning and landscape under the auspices of Stjernstedt and Hollamby. However it is now one of the estates under threat of demolition leading to a campaign by local residents and Architects for Social Housing to save this from estate from being destroyed and turned into luxury flats.

Guided tours start at Gipsy Hill at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm however as the climb is steep, visitors can join the walk from the top at the corner of Central Hill and Vicars Oak Road. Please follow the posters to the exhibition or ask the volunteers.

Tours will include a walk through the estate, speaking to local residents, a small exhibition and a talk / drinks at Antenna Cafe at 5:30pm about 5 minutes away from the Estate.

The address for Antenna is Bowyers Yard, Haynes Lane, London SE19 3AN. More info can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/554220628024609/?fref=ts

Travel routes

Rail: Gispy Hill / Crystal Palace
Tube: Crystal Palace Overground
Bus: 3,322,417,450,202

Opening days and times

Sunday 20 September

1pm to 5pm (Tours from Gipsy Hill at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm)

Exhibition until 5pm (see posters for details)

Talk

For information about our Save Central Hill campaign like us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/554220628024609/?fref=ts follow us on twitter:@savecentralhill and our website: www.central hill.london