Your guide to living in Peckham
TIME Magazine named Peckham the 11th coolest neighbourhood to live in the world, and it comes as no surprise. Home to hipsters and art enthusiasts, this neighbourhood isn’t shiny but certainly doesn’t lack character. If you choose to live here, you’ll never find yourself bored again.
Where is it?
This south London district is located between Deptford and Camberwell and is part of the borough of Southwark.
What’s the transport like?
Peckham Rye has a rail station that connects to the overground and fast trains which can take you to London Bridge, Victoria and Blackfriars in 10-15 minutes.
Being bus-biassed is not unusual for south London, so familiarise yourself with the timetables, including the 436 that runs to Paddington, the number 78 to Shoreditch, and the number 12 to Oxford Circus. If you travel at night, there are six buses that travel to and from central London.
Where do the locals go?
Parks:
Spend a day in Peckham Rye Park, starting with a stroll through the Japanese garden. Why not have a picnic, or save the hassle of bringing food and pick up a coffee and a slice of pizza from The Round Cafe? And if you’re more of the sporty type, take your pick from the football, cricket and skate parks before rounding off your afternoon with some delicious gelato from the on-site ice cream parlour.
Events & Activities:
Peckhamplex is practically a landmark in Peckham. This cinema was converted from a branch of Sainsburys in 1994. The price of their tickets is £5.99 every day, so if you fancy a viewing at London's cheapest cinema (probably), take your pick of the latest blockbusters, independent, foreign language, and art house films. For the cinephiles among you, be sure to get tickets to the Peckham and Nunhead Free Film Festival, which they host yearly.
Catch an exhibition at Copeland Park and immerse yourself in art by local artists. Keep an eye out for their weekly events and also pay a visit to their secret rooftop cinema!
In celebration of the creative and cultural diversity of Peckham, the district hosts a yearly festival. Expect talks, stalls, workshops, live music and performances hosted across galleries, former factories, warehouses, multi-storey car parks and beneath railway arches! Oh, and of course, so many food traders that you’ll be spoilt for choice.
The best restaurants:
You haven’t tasted a bao bun quite like one from Mr Bao. This Taiwanese restaurant offers many Asian favourites, including fried chicken and kimchi, as well as some signature twists like blueberry miso pancakes and egg and bacon bao buns. Their dishes range from $4-£6, so you won’t have to wait until payday to dine here.
Brothers Nish and Harsh made their start at south London markets selling their famous hot sauce. Now they’ve extended their talents to open a plant-based Indian restaurant called En Root! As well as being totally vegan, they also offer great gluten free options. We recommend ordering yourself a hearty portion of their Masala Dosa with a side of plantain chaat.
Heated fairy light terraces are perfect for any time of the year, particularly when they’re accompanied by amazing food. Peckham Bazaar cooks up market fresh ingredients to make Eastern Mediterranean & Balkan inspired food on their custom-made outdoor grill. Expect dishes like marinated cuttlefish with braised tentacles and squid ink orzo on their regularly rotating seasonal menu.
Mambow serves Malaysian-style sharing dishes at their restaurant tucked away in the back corner on the ground floor within Market Peckham. You'll find them based alongside other trendy independent restaurants like Forza Wine. Bare in mind that they operate on a walk-ins only basis, so be prepared to wait for a table on a busy evening!
The best pubs:
What could be more ‘London’ than finding a cocktail bar on the roof of a multi-storey car park? Head up several flights of pink influencer-worthy stairs and cool down with a frozen cocktail on the roof of Frank’s Cafe. Discover incredible views of Peckham and your new favourite place to watch the sunset.
If rooftop bars are your thing, Peckham isn’t short of options. Bussey rooftop bar is the highest drinking spot in the neighbourhood, bringing you cocktails and beer come rain or shine. And if you get peckish, order yourself a Share a Slice pizza whilst taking in the London skyline.
Prince of Peckham should be at the top of your list of Peckham pubs to visit. In their own words, they’re “A pub for south London, by south London”, and they do exactly what they say on the tin. From late night happy hours, bottomless brunches, Sunday lunches, ‘twerk after work’ events and regular HipHop DJs - it’s everything you’d expect from a south London night out.
When you’re prepared to splash the cash, drop by Peckham Cellars. Browse their extensive wine menu or order yourself a trendy negroni to sip alongside a Michelin approved menu of small plates. Think burrata and roasted peaches and sourdough slathered in whipped chilli butter! Yum.
The best coffee shops:
Hidden in the railway arches of Peckham is Dovedales Bakery. Not only can you order locally roasted specialty coffee and choose from a range of handmade pastries and sandwiches, but you can also pick up a bunch of flowers for a friend or some cheese and olives to take home from their deli.
Petitou is the perfect place to spend the afternoon people watching from their sundrenched terrace or behind the comfort of their large windows. Check out their range of daily special cakes and bakes, or kick back with a jug of Pimms - it’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right?
You may have heard of the band Oh Wonder - otherwise known as the Peckham locals, Anthony and Josephine. They founded Nola after being inspired by finding comfort in coffee shops whilst on a world tour. All their coffee is ethically and sustainably sourced and they also offer a selection of locally-baked sourdough toasties, bagels and pastries.
Shops:
A walk into Lamp London is like taking a trip to Disneyland for interior designers. Here you’ll find bespoke tableware, dreamy coffee table books, and enough candles for London to survive a blackout.
If you’re planning on living in Peckham, you’re going to want to look the part. Browse Little Sister vintage shop and pick up some weird and wacky statement pieces. Or pop into Traid, a London favourite charity shop chain, and have a rummage through their rails.
What’s it famous for?
Peckham was the setting of the iconic 80s television sitcom Only Fools and Horses. It was also notably home of the fictional character Rose Tyler, from the long-standing British TV show Doctor Who. More recently however, it featured as the location for indie rom-com Rye Lane. Other Peckham honourees include Star Wars’ John Boyega, world-renowned footballer Rio Ferdinand and rapper Giggs.
Want to know the average room rent for Peckham, and other London postcodes? Check out our latest guide here!