Family-life report

Is SE26 Sydenham good for families?

SE26 scores 56/100 for family infrastructure — around average of the 179 London postcodes we track (rank 90). Around 25.6% of nearby households have dependent children.

Parks

9

GP surgeries

1

Libraries

0

Supermarkets

4

Family density

Who lives in SE26?

Average · 22–27%25.6% of households have dependent children at the representative LSOA. Source: ONS Census 2021, table TS003 (Household composition), via nomisweb.

Commute

35 min

Fastest door-to-door to Canary Wharf (TfL, 08:15 weekday).

Council tax

£2,123

Band D, 2025/26 (lowest of 3 touching boroughs).

Safety

78/100

0 Met Police incidents in the latest released month (2026-05).

Families in SE26 — FAQ

Is SE26 good for families with kids?
SE26 scores 56/100 for family infrastructure — around average of the 179 London postcodes we track (rank 90). Within 1km you'll find 9 parks, 1 GP surgeries, 0 libraries and 4 supermarkets. 25.6% of nearby households have dependent children (low family density).
What are the school catchments near SE26?
Lewisham's popular primaries cut off well inside half a mile, while secondary catchments are more generous.
How long is the commute from SE26 for working parents?
Fastest door-to-door commute from SE26 is 35 minutes to Canary Wharf, per TfL Journey Planner (08:15 weekday arrival). The full /moving-to page lists every central hub.
How much is council tax in SE26?
Band D council tax in SE26 is £2,123 a year (2025/26, includes the GLA precept). Families typically sit in Bands C–F; multiply roughly 0.89×, 1.0×, 1.11×, 1.22× and 1.44× for bands B, C, D, E, F respectively.
Are there enough parks and GPs in SE26?
9 parks, 1 GP surgeries, 0 libraries and 4 supermarkets sit within a kilometre of the representative postcode. These counts describe everyday family infrastructure; school catchment guidance is provided separately by School Owl.
How does SE26 compare to other London areas for families?
SE26 ranks 90 of 179 London postcodes on our family-life index. See the neighbour list below for nearby alternatives that score higher or lower.

See the full SE26 family report

Schools, safety, commute, council tax and green space — on the same yardstick.

View SE26 family report