The Summer Hill of Sydney
By Alexapoblete
Summer Hill is primarily a residential suburb, located in the west of Sydney and bordered by suburbs of Dulwich Hill, Lewisham, Haberfield and Ashfield. A long time ago, this place was actually a fashionable and genteel suburb, and known by the name of ‘Sunning Hill’. Around then, the region served as a favorite residence of gentlemen stockbrokers and was filled with small and simple shops catering to the needs of the lower middle and working classes.
In course of time, the face of Summer Hill began to change gradually and people started flocking to the area for enjoying its unpretentious countryside atmosphere and voluminous traces of Federation and Victorian architecture as well as Italianate and Gothic Revival. Summer Hill is quite popular for as many as 131 recognised heritage-listed properties, including the stately mansions Hillingdon and Carleton. Although there is no paucity of attraction in this beautiful place, the real drawing card is the unique intimacy of the community living here.
Being situated only 8 kilometres away from the Central Business District of Sydney, Summer Hill is well-facilitated with bus and rail transport services. The bus routes 480 and 483 can be used for reaching the Town Hall. The Summer Hill railway station is only few minutes away on foot for those who want to reach the Central station.
As had been mentioned already, the place enjoys a rural atmosphere. One of the major landmarks is the Trinity Church of England Boys’ Grammar School, which was built in the year 1926. The Town Square features a fountain and seating, and also the shopping precinct that has been developed around it. There is an independently functioning Fresco supermarket within the area bordered by the Prospect, Old Canterbury, Liverpool and Parramatta roads. One would hardly have any difficulty to find a local dentist, optometrist, green grocer or butcher around the place. There are also many parks in close proximity, including the Petersham Park, the Dulwich Hill’s Johnson Park, and Marrickville Park with tennis courts. Notable government and private schools in and around the area include the Summer Hill primary School, the Ashfield Primary School, Trinity Grammar and the De La Salle College for Boys. Cafe and restaurant culture thrives majorly along the Lackey and Smith street with a number of funky coffee shops, eye-catching pubs and restaurants.
In close vicinity of Summer Hill, there are many hotels, motels, inns and other lodging facilities. In fact, a majority of these facilities provide some of the most comfortable and Budget Accommodation in Sydney.