Welcome to Urban Village Homes' area guide to living and enjoying life in Peckham, with all it has to offer.
Peckham is, for lack of a better phrase, a dynamic and diverse neighbourhood in South East London. Nestled to the east of Camberwell and less than four miles to Deptford, it’s undergone significant regeneration and transformation in recent years, has a rich cultural heritage, and a thriving arts scene - thanks most probably to the fact that Camberwell College of Arts, part of the University of the Arts London (UAL), calls Peckham its home.
When you choose to reside in Peckham, you’ll find an urban experience that’s certainly one of a kind. Picture this, you start your Saturday morning with a stroll up Rye Lane in the direction of Peckham Rye Park, grabbing a coffee on the go from Nola Coffee on the way. Later that afternoon you make plans to explore the bustling Copeland Park, ‘Peckham’s Cultural Quarter’, home to various creative businesses and boasting a year-round calendar of events. As evening approaches, you enjoy a drink at Frank's Café, a rooftop bar offering panoramic views of London, before catching a film at Peckhamplex. Sound up your street? There's a lot to enjoy when you choose to make Peckham your home.
Architectural Items
You can't think of Peckham without considering its architecture. The area boasts an eclectic mix of old and new, owing in part to a £290 million regeneration plan in the 90s that saw homes demolished, replaced, and artists move to the area, bringing investment with them. Yet property in the area still features a lot of elegant Georgian houses (Peckham Rye), early Victorian terraced homes and flats of various sizes, alongside warehouse conversions, modern apartments, and housing estates.
The Old Mill Building
Situated to the east of Rye Lane, the Old Mill Building is a Victorian mill building built in the 1870s. It has a structure that pays homage to Peckham's industrial heritage as it was originally used to manufacture British wine. After significant community campaigning, in December 2023, it was included within Southwark Council's Local List of heritage buildings, affording it protection from demolition. It stands both as a testament to Peckham's history, and its community's commitment to preserving it as part of Peckham’s future. Since 2010 it’s been home to The Community Outreach Ministries, a community church that played a big role in saving it from redevelopment as part of Southwark Council’s regeneration plans.
Peckham Library
Even if you're not looking to borrow a book, Peckham Library is worth a visit for its striking architecture alone. The award-winning building, with its inverted L-shape structure, eclectic colours and panoramic views over the city’s skyline, is an iconic 5-storey landmark in the area. In 2023, it underwent a £1.5 million refurbishment, and as reported by ELLE Magazine, could become the first 21st-century building in the UK to receive protected status, underlining its significance in contemporary British architecture.
Social Food Spots
Peckham's food scene is diverse and it’s abundant, offering a second to none array of culinary dishes. From traditional West African eateries to Neapolitan pizzerias, hip vegan pop-ups and everything in between, it’s got a lot going on in the way of food. Here are some of our top picks:
Peckham Levels
Housed in a former multi-storey car park, Peckham Levels is a creative hub and food court that acts as a symbol of both the area's vibrant culinary scene and it’s community focused roots. With a rotating selection of food vendors, you can sample everything from Carribean fusion at The Grub Club to Senegalese soul food at Little Baobab.
Above it’s food offerings, Peckham Levels is renowned for being a neighbourhood-first meeting place for arts, enterprise and community action. It has a jam-packed roster of events including performances in plenty, live music and DJs on weekends and book club and wellbeing get togethers on weekdays. Plus, with co-working spaces and office-units, you can also work from Peckham Levels too.
Persepolis
For a unique dining experience, head to Persepolis, a Persian deli and café that's become a bit of a local institution amongst a shop that stocks everything from books to handicrafts and cookware. Paying homage to Middle Eastern cornershop dining, it’s known for its vegetarian and Middle Eastern dishes, and is the perfect spot for a leisurely brunch or lunch while you pick up your ingredients for dinner. Opt for their famous mezze platter, a Jujeh Kebab or a classic falafel, Arabic cheese and Persian pickle flatbread.
Kudu
If you're looking for something a bit more upscale, Kudu offers a modern take on South African cuisine. The duo that founded Kudu in 2017 have since achieved a roaring success in SE15 as they’ve now got three venues under their belt. Their first, signature restaurant, however, has a stylish interior and it’s quickly become one of Peckham's most talked-about restaurants. Offering a range of different signature menus, such as a Friday sit-down lunch menu, there’s a distinct but carefully curated choice on offer.
After Dark Spots
Peckham's nightlife scene is as diverse as its daytime offerings. From traditional pubs to wine cellars and music venues, there's something for everyone. Some notable spots include:
- Frank's Café: A summertime favourite, this rooftop bar offers stunning views of London's skyline.
- Zapoi: With over 1,000 tropical plants and charming vintage furniture, if you like to get cozy with a cocktail this is the place for you.
- Four Quarters: A retro arcade bar where you can play classic games while trying out craft beers.
- Forza Wine: Settled on the rooftop of the Bussey Building, they’ve got a great small-plate menu, but you should probably pair a cocktail with a bowl of their famous soft serve.
Transport Links
Peckham is best connected to the rest of the city by the London Overground, and in February 2024, as part of a massive rebranding and historic re-imagining initiative of London's public transport network, the line serving Peckham Rye and Queens Road Peckham stations was renamed the Windrush Line to honour the communities of the Windrush generation that found a home among key neighbourhoods on the route.
While Peckham has no Tube line, it’s pretty well connected to the rest of London, being that it is Zone 2 and is served by both the Overground and National Rail services, that provide quick links to central London. As an added bonus, Southwark Council has recently approved plans for the Grade II-listed Victorian station building to get an expensive makeover that’s set to be completed by 2027.
There are also a number of bus routes that connect Peckham to surrounding neighbourhoods and central London, while plans are also afoot for a brand-new cycle lane alongside Peckham Rye Park, set to be named Cycleway 35 Phase One. The stretch between Nunhead Lane to Stuart Road, sees up to 1,096 cyclists daily and will become part of this new cycle route that connects Bermondsey and Lewisham.
Hot Spots
Peckham is full to the brim of exciting venues and attractions. While it’s hard to narrow this down, here are some must-visit places:
South London Gallery
The South London Gallery (The SLG) at 65 Peckham Road is a contemporary art space that showcases work by British and international artists alike. More frequently The SLG showcases artists who have seldom or never had a solo exhibition at a London institution. Founded in 1891 by philanthropist William Rossiter with the objective of "bringing art to the people of south London," it's clear that this goal has been met. Home to a diverse exhibition program from its beautiful Victorian gallery space, adjoining Matsudaira Wing, Fox Garden and the former Peckham Road Fire Station - that opened in 2018 as a new contemporary arts space - The SLG is a cultural hub that attracts art enthusiasts from all across London and beyond.
At the heart of the gallery's purpose is providing opportunities for learning and participation. Admission to the SLG is free for everyone and there’s an extensive programme of activities for children, young people, and adults to take part in year-round.
Peckham Rye Park
Peckham Rye Park & Common, come together to make up an expansive green space that covers 113 acres of open land and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy goings on of the area’s various high streets. It also has a long and interesting history that you can read more on at the park’s website. Peckham Rye Park & Common are home to a community garden, a lake, an adventure play area, a skatepark, bowling green and even a green gym, making it perfect for picnics, all sorts of sports, and leisurely walks.
The park also hosts various events throughout the year, including outdoor theatre performances and markets.
Spotlighted Properties
At Urban Village, we love selling properties in Peckham. Here are two standout listings that we think showcase some of the unique features of what properties in the area have to offer:
A Stylish Victorian Conversion
This renovated two-bedroom apartment in a Victorian terrace combines period features with modern flair. Situated in popular Nunhead, between Nunhead and Queens Road stations, it has high ceilings, large windows, and a private garden.
Extensively Renovated Garden Oasis
A stone’s throw away from Queen’s Road lies this stylish apartment featuring a galley kitchen with a quaint breakfast bar, a small garden at the front and larger garden at the rear.
Ready to Make Peckham Your New Home?
Peckham is a vibrant, diverse, and ever-evolving area that offers something for everyone. From its thriving arts scene and culinary delights to its green spaces and handy transport links, it's no wonder that more people are falling in love with Peckham and choosing to call it home.
If you're interested in buying, selling, or letting a property in SE15, contact Urban Village today – we're here to help you make the most of what Peckham has to offer. Just give us a call on: 020 3519 9121.