In the heart of Surbiton?s bustling town centre stands one of its most distinctive historic buildings – the former Post Office at 38 Victoria Road. Built at the end of the 19th century, this red-brick structure has served the community for generations, evolving from a civic utility to a cherished modern gathering place. Today, it?s better known as Megan?s at the Post Office, but its architectural grandeur and social legacy remain unmistakable.
A Statement of Civic Pride
The Post Office was constructed in 1898 as a purpose-built facility for Surbiton, then a rapidly growing suburb of southwest London. Designed in a Flemish Revival style under the Office of Works, the building was extended in 1913 to accommodate rising demand.
Its architectural features reflect the confidence of late-Victorian civic design: rich red brickwork, ornate stone detailing, and a grand arched entrance give the building a strong presence on the high street. Tall sash windows, gabled dormers, and a pedimented roofline add to its decorative flourish, helping the building blend beautifully with other period structures in the area.
Situated within the Victoria Road Conservation Area, the Post Office is recognised by Kingston Council as a building of townscape merit. It not only reflects the architectural tastes of its time but also the importance of postal services to a growing commuter town.
From Sorting Letters to Serving Lunch
For decades, 38 Victoria Road functioned as Surbiton?s main postal hub, with counter services, back offices, and sorting facilities housed within its generous interior. As the Post Office evolved and local operations were scaled back, counter services were relocated to a nearby unit on Victoria Road.
Rather than being demolished or left to decay, the building was sensitively adapted for new use. In the 2010s, it housed a branch of the Zizzi restaurant chain, but more recently, it reopened as Megan?s at the Post Office?a caf?-restaurant that embraces and highlights the building?s historic past.
