As a world-famous travel destination, London attracts millions of tourists every year. But many miss the gems hidden in South London. From vibrant markets to historic landmarks and cosy neighbourhoods, there are also many places in South London worth exploring. Join us to discover the areas of South London, including places to eat, visit and live. Let’s explore the South London’s charms together!
Where is South London?
South London refers to the part of London, England, that lies south of the River Thames. South London is known for its diverse culture, vibrant nightlife, and green spaces, offering a less touristy experiences than Central London but full of local charm.
Areas in South London
South London consists of 12 boroughs located entirely or partially south of the River Thames. Here is the breakdown of the areas in South London :
Full South London Boroughs
Lambeth (Brixton, Clapham)
Southwark (Peckham, Borough)
Lewisham (Deptford, New Cross)
Croydon
Greenwich (Greenwich Town, Woolwich)
Bromley (Orpington, Beckham)
Merton (Wimbledon, Mitcham)
Sutton
Kingston upon Thames
Richmond upon Thames (Richmond town)
Partially South London Boroughs
Wandsworth (Battersea, Tooting)
Bexley
Things to Do in South London
South London is packed with incredible experiences, whether you’re looking to eat, explore, or even settle down. We’ve uncovered some of the best spots for dining out, nightlife, and hidden gems worth visiting. Ready to dive in? Let’s check those places to go in South London!
Places to Visit in South London
Famous Landmarks
If you’re visiting London for the first time or have a tight schedule, South London boasts several must-see landmarks. These iconic attractions are globally recognised and offer unforgettable experiences for every traveller.
The Shard (London Bridge)
Built back in the 1800s, Tower Bridge is one of the most quintessential sights to see.
The London Eye (Lambeth)
As one of the best places to go in South London, the London Eye is definitely worth visiting especially if you have never been to London before!
HMS Belfast (Southwark)
Moored on the Thames in Southwark, HMS Belfast is one of the must-visit places in South London especially for history enthusiasts. You can experience maritime history through interactive displays.
Battersea Power Station (Wandsworth)
Battersea Power Station is a must-visit for its iconic industrial architecture transformed into a vibrant hub. The stunning glass elevators, rooftop park, and panoramic views blend heritage with modern flair, making it a dynamic destination in London’s skyline.
Greenwich Park & Royal Observatory (Greenwich)
Whether you are an astronomy lover or not, this place is worth visiting, you can admire the breathtaking skyline views, explore world-class astronomy exhibits, explore science.
Brixton Market (Lambeth)
Brixton Market is a vibrant hub with Afro-Caribbean heritage. It’s a melting pot of creativity and community spirit. It is one of the most worth-visit places in South London.
Crystal Palace Park
Crystal Palace Park is a place in South London you can’t miss. Crystal Palace is a nice blend of history, nature, and quirky charm. The Crystal Palace Park is home to the iconic Victorian-era dinosaur sculptures, sprawling green spaces, and the remains of the grand Crystal Palace, it offers scenic walks, panoramic views, and a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century innovation and entertainment.
Shakespeare’s Globe (Southwark)
If you are a Shakespeare lover, then you can not miss this place in South London. Originally built in the late 16th century, and destroyed in 1644, visitors today can still admire this theatre and even watch a performance.
Other Places and Hidden Gems
Except the famous landmarks, there are also many other areas in South London worth spending time and visiting, some of them are hidden gems. Check it out!
- Cutting Sark
The Cutty Sark is a must-visit as the world’s last surviving tea clipper and a marvel of maritime history. Restored to its former glory with £30 million, this iconic imposing ship offers interactive exhibits, stunning views from beneath its gleaming hull, and fascinating tales of its record-breaking voyages. It’s Britain’s seafaring heritage and now delicately perches on the Thames’ edge in Greenwich.
- Maltby Street Market
This bustling weekend market in Bermondsey is a foodie paradise with a community feel. Nestled around the atmospheric Victorian rail arches of the Ropewalk you’ll find around 30 artisan food and drink traders selling everything from craft beer to Mozambique-style peri-peri meats. Top tip: it’s open from 10am Saturday and 11am Sunday – beat the crowds and don’t leave it too late to visit.
- Greenwich Market
Greenwich Market is a historic eighteenth-century market: London’s only one set in a World Heritage Site. Open seven days a week from 10 am to 5.30 pm in the heart of charming Greenwich, the ever-reliable indoor market houses around 120 stalls selling jewellery, clothes, second-hand furniture, unusual gifts and general bric-à-brac. Go on Tuesday and Thursday for a greater number of antique stalls, or any other day for an arts and crafts focus. On any given day, you’ll find around 40 food and drink stalls selling street bites, sweet treats and artisanal goodies.
- Horniman Museum
Get your hands on some artefacts at the Horniman Museum. It’s A popular museum opened by tea trader John Horniman in 1902, best known for its taxidermied animals (the most famous being an over-stuffed walrus). Far from stuffy, this south London gem allows visitors to interact with many of the artefacts displayed (some can even be held or tried on). Aside from impressive anthropology and natural history collections, the museum also boasts 16 acres of beautiful gardens.
- Eltham Palace
Eltham Palace is a stunning blend of medieval grandeur and 1930s Art Deco luxury. Once a royal residence, it boasts a magnificent Great Hall and lavish interiors. The beautifully landscaped gardens and unique architectural fusion make it a must-visit. Its rich history and striking design offer a captivating glimpse into England’s past and modernist elegance. It’s one of the nice places to go in South London.
- Peckham
Peckham is worth visiting for its vibrant arts scene, trendy rooftop bars, and multicultural energy. From the iconic Bold Tendencies art space to bustling markets and diverse eateries, it’s a hub of creativity and urban cool. With its lively atmosphere and unique charm, Peckham offers an authentic slice of London’s dynamic culture. You can take a train from Peckham Rye or Queens Road Peckham and be at Victoria in just 20 minutes.
- Richmond
Richmond is worth visiting for its stunning riverside charm, expansive parks, and rich history. Home to Richmond Park—London’s largest green space with roaming deer—and the scenic Thames Path, it offers idyllic walks, boutique shops, and cosy pubs. Its elegant Georgian architecture and relaxed yet refined vibe make it a perfect escape.
- Wimbledon
Wimbledon is worth visiting for its world-famous tennis heritage, lush green spaces, and charming village atmosphere. Beyond the All England Lawn Tennis Club, people can also explore Wimbledon Common’s scenic trails, historic windmill. It’s one of the nicest places to go in South London.
- Bermondsey Street
Bermondsey Street is worth visiting for its creative energy, combining art galleries, independent boutiques, and trendy eateries. Home to the renowned White Cube gallery and the historic Tanner Street Park, it blends contemporary culture with old-world charm. Its vibrant street life and artisan coffee spots make it a hidden gem in London.
- Dulwich Picture Gallery
Dulwich Picture Gallery, the world’s first purpose-built public art gallery, is a must-visit for art lovers and one of the best places in South London. Designed by Sir John Soane, it houses a superb collection of Old Master paintings, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Gainsborough. Its intimate setting, rich history, and inspiring exhibitions make it a cultural gem in London.
- National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is a treasure trove of seafaring history, showcasing Britain’s naval legacy through fascinating exhibits, rare artifacts, and interactive displays. From Nelson’s uniform to historic ship models, it offers captivating insights into exploration, trade, and warfare. A must-visit for history buffs and families alike.
- Herne Hill and Brockwell Lido
Located in the south of Brixton, Herne Hill offers you with easy transport links, allowing you to commute into Victoria in just 10 minutes. Brockwell Park is a leisurely place for dog walkers and runners. You can also go to Brockwell Lido, one of London’s most famous outdoor pools. The Farmers’ Market is a great place to pick up your weekly groceries or a delicious artisanal treat.
- Wandsworth
Wandsworth is worth visiting for its scenic riverside charm, bustling markets, and vibrant dining scene. With Wandsworth Common’s leafy trails, the historic De Morgan Centre, and eclectic shops along Northcote Road, it offers a perfect mix of relaxation and urban energy—ideal for families, foodies, and culture seekers alike.
- Clapham
Clapham has lively atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful green spaces. The bustling Clapham High Street offers trendy bars, diverse eateries, and indie shops, while Clapham Common provides a serene escape with its expansive parkland and iconic bandstand.
- 02 Arena
Built as the Millennium Dome for celebrating, The O2 Arena is a must-visit for world-class entertainment, hosting blockbuster concerts, sporting events, and immersive experiences like Up at The O2 for skyline climbs.
- Rivoli Ballroom
This restored 1950s ballroom is the last of its kind in London, featuring a meticulously preserved Grade II-listed art deco interior. You can have a boogie at the Rivoli Ballroom for a relaxing night out.
- Jumbi
Jumbi is an Afro-Carribean inspired hi-fi bar in Peckham where dancing is irresistible. This place has a top-quality soundsystem.
- Catch a niche horror flick at Deptford Cinema
This activity is a must for film buffs seeking something uniquely chilling. This indie gem screens cult classics, underground gems, and avant-garde horrors in an intimate, retro setting.
- Nunhead Cemetery
It’s a bit weird to visit a cemetery, but here is an exception. Nunhead Cemetery is one of London’s largest but lesser-known “Magnificent Seven”. it’s both a wildlife reserve and a cemetery full of elaborate Victorian-ear mausoleums and graves, as well as a beautiful chapel.
- Wandle Trail
Wandle Trail is a good choice to relax yourself in nature. There is a shared walking and cycling path that offers plenty of enjoyable spots on the way.
Places to Eat in South London
- Feast on mezze at Nandine
Nandine is a family-run spot in Camberwell serving up some of the best Kurdish food in the city. Run by chef Pary Baban and her sons Rang and Raman, it’s a nourishing whirl of smoke and sumac. Picture-perfect chips flecked with tamarind-and-pink-yoghurt sauce, spices, sesame and herbs are their sensational house fries. Save some room for baklava, too!
- Pop Brixton
Pop Brixton is a lively selection of restaurants and indie businesses operating out of an eclectic jumble of shipping containers.On site there’s a greenhouse space for communal dining and a changing schedule of music and events. Don’t miss Smoke & Salt – the celebrated restaurant serving small plates that go big on technical skill and flavour.
- Silk Road
Silk Road is a canteen-style Chinese restaurant churning out favourites from the north-west frontier province of Xinjiang. Its winningly-priced menu of hearty, chilli-spiked stews, belt noodles and shish skewers for just £1 a go. At £28, the ‘special big plate chicken’ can comfortably feed two, but we recommend taking along a few extra pals and going in on some dumplings too.
- Forza Wine
Forza Wine is a wise named rooftop bar at the summit of Rye Lane’s Market Peckham, brought to you by the team behind much-lauded Italian joint Forza Win. It’s a good place to go for you can have a fabulous views over the south London skyline and a cracking menu of aperitivos, natural wines and tricolore-flying bar snacks. Take three pals and you can share the entire menu between you for £30 a head.
- Mystic Burek
Mystic Burek is a charming Balkan bakery and caff on Sydenham’s main high street, chef Spasia Dinkovski’s first bricks-and-mortar venue started off as a lockdown delivery service peddling delectable Balkan bakes made suing her grandmother’s recipes over Instagram. The traditional Macedonian filo pies features semi-psychedelic swirls of pastry packed with ground meat, gooey cheese, and butter to satisfy your taste bud.
- Funkidory
This place is recommended for it’s a cute little neighbourhood cocktail bar-slash-record shop on the corner of Peckham Rye, it was founded by husband-and-wife duo and London hospitality industry veterans Sergio and Anna.
- LIewelyn’s
LIewelyn’s is located at a cosy European neighbourhood restaurant in Herne Hill. The interior od this place are stylish yet unshowy, the drinks list includes extremely well curated, and the services is impeccable. Best of all is the hearty European food: from succulent Hereford beef-shin ragù atop creamy polenta to a sexed-up niçoise salad fillled with confit rabbit meat.
- Artusi
Artusi is a simple, sophisticated Italian cuisine with accomplished dishes and a carefully chosen drinks list. There is a confidently short menu which is full of punchy propositions such as smoked ox heart with romesco sauce plus outstanding own-made pasta and wickedly good ice cream. It’s a classy venture on Peckham’s poshest street.
- Croissant at Toad Bakery
Toad Bakery is a cult Camberwell bakery with inventive pastries that inspire queues around the block come Saturday morning. To sample its signature cornbread croissant, a genius invention featuring gorgeously buttery layers wrapped around rich, meltingly cheesy cornbread, the salty older sister that the almond croissant wishes she could be.
- Brixton Village and Market Row
Two popular indoor markets that have established themselves as epicentres for London’s culinary scene, housing nearly 130 independent traders. This fertile foodie ground is home to the likes of Franco Manca and Honest Burgers, both of which started in Brixton Village before multiplying across London.
- Have a South African braai at Kudu
Kudu is a good-looking restaurant specialising in South African-inspired small plates in Peckham. Dishes here are packed with flavour from open flame and cast iron skillets, order anything that’s been cooked in a pot or by fire, especially the BBQ “braai” lamb neck with a cheese and herb crust.
- Drink negronis on a rooftop at Frank’s
Frank’s in Peckham is a festival-like outdoor bar where people flock to grab a drink and admire views across the city. It’s a best-place-to-go to sup a Campari and watch the sunset at the top of a multi-storey car park.
Nice places to live in South London
South London is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a property in the capital. There are many areas in South London to choose from, whether you’re looking for a bustling nightlife, a family-friendly community, historic, quirky,or cosmopolitan, and regardless of whether you’re an expat, couple, young professional, student. There is a part of South London that will fit your life style, budget, and preferences. While areas vary enormously, below, we picked out 15 nice places to live in South London.
- Tooting
With two stations on the underground line providing trains into London Bridge and Waterloo within approximately 20 minutes, it is an ideal location for accessing the city. Tooting Common is a beautiful open green space and home to the legendary 90-metre-long-lido. You also have Tooting Market on your doorstep, offering a range of gastro and world cuisine.
- Herne Hill
Herne Hill is known for Herne Hill Market, a big green space in Brockwell Park, with a wealth of cafes, restaurants and independent shops, from children’s books to haberdashery. It’s close to Brixton, good for families, couples, and professionals to live
- Clapham
With three stops along the underground line, Clapham offers an easy commute into central London. Clapham Common is a great place to take a walk, picnics, or just chill out. This area is renowned for its vibrant nightlife with bars, clubs and restaurants in Clapham High Street and around Clapham Junction. It’s great for young professionals, and with excellent schools and plenty of green space.
- Battersea
Battersea is right on the Thames, and it’s becoming an increasingly popular place over the years. This place is known for its riverside walking paths, the huge expanse of Battersea Park, the shops and restaurants in Battersea Power Station, and pretty pockets like Battersea Square. Battersea has also been the focus of major regeneration, an excellent place to look for modern properties around the iconic power station. Due to the US Embassy in Nine Elms, the area draws American expats too.
- Wandsworth
Wandsworth has many local restaurants and shops, and convenient connections into central London. This place has highly regarded schools, friendly to families, couples. There are also tennis courts, cricket and football pitches and a good-sized play area for children.
- Peckham
Described by the Evening Standard as a “hipster regeneration success story”, there is much more to Peckham than Del Boy and Rodney. It’s known for its nightlife, and has some of the best rooftop bars in South London. There is also mainline station with frequent trains into Waterloo and tram inks towards Sutton and Croydon. Wimbledon is great for families, and it’s one of England’s best places to live.
- Wimbledon
Best known for the annual Wimbledon Tennis Championships, this village has a great high street with pubs and shops,
- Richmond
Richmond Green has great pubs, and it’s a fun place to catch a glimpse of local cricket match. It has an easy commute into central London by train, there is a busy town centre with a good choice of high-end shops.
- Streatham
Streatham is a popular choice for young professionals and families seeking a more affordable place with a range of amenities. Streatham is commuter friendly with two mainline stations providing frequent trains to London Victoria. The most sought-after are in the Telford Park Estate around Streatham Common and the roads close to Tooting Common.
- Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace is famous for its dinosaur sculpture-filled park, views of London, triangle of high streets, and neighbourhood feel, and the housing costs can be significantly lower than other parts of London. It’s popular with young professionals, couples, long-term expats.
- Balham
Balham is another south London neighbourhood with a stop on the Northern Line. This place has plenty of shops and amenities, great schools, and a real community feel. Foodies can enjoy the Post Market, the local food market where some fantastic street food vendors serve authentic worldwide cuisine. Balham is also home to the recently opened Little House Balham, the latest addition to London’s Soho House family.
- Earlsfield
Earlsfield is a comparatively affordable place to live in South London. Earlsfield has a diverse community, good schools and direct transport links to London Waterloo in just 13 minutes. The main high street, Garratt Lane, is home to some fantastic restaurants, cafes and pubs, while King George’s Park is an idyllic space to escape the hustle and bustle. You can also visit the Tata Theatre for a taste of the arts without venturing as far as the West End.
- Dulwich
Dulwich is a village-like area that features a picturesque park, boutique shops, top eateries, and a famous art gallery. Dulwich is also renowned for having some excellent schools, so it’s also a good choice for families. But the cost of living is slightly higher than most other parts of South London.
- Brixton
This multicultural area is known for its vibrant markets, great nightlife scene. It has popular venues like Pop Brixton, and covered markets like Brixton Village. Pros of living in Brixton include good tube and rail connections, and fun restaurants, bars, and pubs; cons include higher housing prices than some other parts of south London.
- Brockley
Brockley is an ideal area with a neighbourhood feel, it has lots of colourful street art, markets, and parks, it’s a slightly far from central London, but the housing prices are lower and more affordable.
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FAQs:
There are many options to go in South London. You can go to famous landmarks like Tower Bridge, London Eye, the Crystal Palace,etc; except for these places, you can also go to less known places like Nunhead Cemetery, etc.
It is a wealthy area. Britain’s top four most affluent locations were in London. Herne Hill in South London took the title of the UK’s poshest suburb.
Areas like Richmond, Clapham, Peckham, Balham, Dulwich, Wimbledon,etc are all good places to live, they have different living environments and atmospheres. Richmond upon Thames is the epitome of tranquility and natural beauty. Clapham is a buzzing hub of activity and is perfect for those who thrive in a lively, urban environment.
Based on crime data and reputation, Richmond upon Thames (Richmond/Kew) consistently ranks as the safest area in South London, with very low overall crime rates. Kingston upon Thames (Kingston/Surbiton) and Wimbledon (Merton) are also comparatively safe.
Property prices in South London are among the most expensive in the Uk, with average asking price for property is South London being 688,008 pounds, according to Zoopla.
North London offers trendier areas (Camden, Islington), better transport links, and a faster pace. While South London has more green space (Richmond Park, Wimbledon Common), a village-like feel, and quieter suburbs. Both have affluent and up-and-coming areas—preference comes down to lifestyle. Which is nicer really depends on personal preferences.
Yes! South London has many green spaces with excellent schools, it’s home to many family-friendly neighbourhoods. Places like Wimbledon, Dulwich, and Wandsworth are popular for families.
South London boasts an extensive transport network, including the Tube line (Northern, Jubilee, and Bakerloo lines), Overground trains. While less central than North London, it’s well-served by National Rail (Thameslink, Southeastern) and trams in Croydon.
