Fern Cottage

Fern Cottage is one of the oldest and best-preserved houses in Pickets Street, in the ‘Nightingale Triangle’ of Balham (ie to the west of Nightingale Lane).  This brick-built house dates from the mid-Victorian period when it was originally surrounded by agricultural land. The botanical name derives from being part of a country estate with ‘Fern’ in the title, before the land was sold for residential development later in the 19th century. Fern Cottage remains a local landmark for its rustic appearance. The cottage garden is part of the National Garden Scheme.