Forest Hill is the district of south-east London that lies to the east of Dulwich. Originally the area was simply known as The Forest, but over the years this has changed to Forest Hill.

For most of the district’s history Forest Hill remained a remote area several miles from The City, and it was heavily wooded right up until the 18th century.

But once the Croydon Canal reached the district in 1809 the area soon began to be developed. The railway then reached Forest Hill in the 1840s, which accelerated development.

The area was a popular district with wealthier residents and so many of the houses that sprang up around the district were elegant Victorian town houses. Along with neighbouring Dulwich, Forest Hill soon became a fashionable residential district.

Since the Second World War many of these houses have been replaced, but the area retains an elegant feel to it. For visitors to the district there is the eclectic Horniman Museum on London Road.