Anerley

Anerley takes its name from a Scots word meaning solitary, chosen by the man who built the only house on an empty common, and several streets of flats later the joke has aged beautifully. Ask anyone here where they live and the answer drifts up the hill to Crystal Palace, a name that does better at dinner parties. Thomas Crapper retired to Thornsett Road, a man famous for something he never invented, living in a place known for the park next door. Anerley is the bit people actually live in, while the neighbours pick up the credit.