Forest Hill became a fashionable suburb in the 19th century - the catalysts for its prosperity being the removal of the Crystal Palace to Sydenham and the arrival of the railway. The geography of the area, with its picturesque hills and valleys and fine views also encouraged wealthy people, such as tea merchants Frederick Horniman and the Tetley brothers to live here. This house was built c.1883 and has been home to a variety of residents, including a Spanish cork manufacturer and John Illsley of Dire Straits. From the 1930s for more than sixty years Ling's confectionery factory abutting on to the garden behind perfumed the air with Turkish Delight.
