Oft frequented by hipsters and art enthusiasts, this bohemian and culturally diverse area offers families, young professionals and students a place to flourish and thrive. In the lively hotspots of Peckham High Street and Rye Lane, the senses are accosted by mouth-watering scents from food and market stalls, the sounds of friendly chatter and the sights of bright street art murals and colourful buildings. Bellenden Road, on the other hand, boasts a more peaceful village vibe, with elegant homes and stylish boutiques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Intrigued to find out more about Peckham? Read on to discover why this diverse, loud and proud district could be your perfect home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Transport links<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhilst there are no underground stations in Peckham, the area has strong transport links. Peckham Rye and Queens Road Peckham stations both offer rail and Overland services just a few stops from Canada Water where commuters can hop on the Jubilee Line east to Canary Wharf and Stratford or west to London Bridge, Waterloo, Westminster and beyond. There are also fast trains to London Bridge, London Victoria and London Blackfriars from Peckham Rye, all taking between 10 and 15 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a plethora of bus routes<\/a> from Peckham, too, 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFor those with a car, the M25 is a 45-minute drive and Gatwick Airport is an hour\u2019s drive away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearest train stations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Peckham Rye<\/a><\/li>
- Queens Road Peckham<\/a><\/li>
- Nunhead<\/a><\/li>
- Denmark Hill<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Schools<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThere are 35 primary schools<\/a> in the Peckham and Camberwell district, 5 of which are rated as \u201coutstanding\u201d by Ofsted<\/a> (including John Donne Primary School and Angel Oak Academy) and another 29 rated \u201cgood\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMeanwhile, local \u201coutstanding<\/a>\u201d comprehensive schools include Sacred Heart Catholic School and the St Thomas the Apostle College. For families with a preference for private school education, The Villa<\/a> is suitable for children aged two to seven, and there are a number of private schools in the local Dulwich area, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNearby Goldsmiths, University of London<\/a> and Camberwell College of Arts<\/a> are ideal for creative students, with QS World Rankings placing Goldsmiths in the top five UK universities for both Art & Design and Communication & Media and in the UK\u2019s top 25 for research quality. London South Bank University<\/a> is another excellent option for further education and was voted University of the Year for Graduate Employment in 2018 and 2019 by The Sunday Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNew parents in Peckham can use Happity<\/a> to find local baby and toddler classes and there are also a number of local community groups. Mush<\/a> is an excellent app for chatting to other local parents in the area and Hoop<\/a> is useful for discovering nearby family activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLeisure and amenities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs you would expect from an area voted one of the best places to live in London, local amenities and leisure facilities in Peckham are excellent, whether you are looking for somewhere to dine out, enjoy a family walk or while away a rainy day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rye Lane<\/a> is the main shopping street, awash with independent shops<\/a> catering for the large African community, vintage shops and the Aylesham Centre<\/a>, where you\u2019ll find big high street names. Along Bellenden Road shoppers can enjoy perusing delicatessens, artisan bookshops and healthy-eating outlets. There is also a farmers\u2019 market<\/a> held every Sunday, and Asda, Morrisons and Lidl supermarkets.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA real paradise for foodies, Peckham dishes up something delicious for every taste, from cool hipster hangouts serving burgers and chicken to fine dining Italian restaurants. On the High Street you\u2019ll find budget eateries alongside small independent cafes and restaurants serving traditional Nigerian dishes. Bellenden Road is home to Begging Bowl<\/a> for delectable Thai food, Made of Dough<\/a> pizzeria and Italian restaurant Artusi<\/a>. Coal Rooms<\/a> in Peckham Rye train station is another interesting eatery, where gastronomes can tuck into topside crispy goat, tangy jerk chicken and slow-cooked lamb shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPeckham is renowned for its rooftop bars, too, which offer stunning panoramic views of the city skyline. Highlights include Bussey Rooftop Bar<\/a>, which is set under a beautiful canopy of flowers \u2013 ideal for an Instagram snap \u2013 along with an open-air cinema club. Another Peckham favourite is Frank\u2019s Caf\u00e9<\/a>. Set above the former Peckham Levels multi-storey car park and renowned for its bubble-gum pink staircase, industrial art exhibitions and its sensational summer arts programme that includes the Multi-Story Orchestra<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for a good local pub, the Prince of Peckham<\/a> is the place to be. Equally as sleepy and comfortable as it is lively, this boozer has board games and plump sofas, as well as open mic nights, disco yoga nights and live music and DJs at the weekends. Not to be missed is its mouth-watering street food, including the tastiest jerk chicken wings and Caribbean roasts. Alternatively, with its world-class grime music scene, many residents flock to Tola nightclub<\/a> to dance the night away or to Tasty Bakery<\/a>, a Caribbean bakery by day and unique club by night.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor those times when you want to escape urban life, Green Flag Peckham Rye Park and Common<\/a> has various formal and nature gardens, an adventure playground, a caf\u00e9 and abundant flora and fauna. Fitness options include Peckham Pulse Leisure Centre<\/a>, which has a fitness centre, swimming pool (with award-winning swimming lessons), soft play area, sauna and steam room \u2013 perfect for a family day out.<\/p>\n\n\n\nArchitectural fans will love the juxtaposition of converted warehouses and characterful old buildings set amongst contemporary pieces of architecture such as the library<\/a>, which won a Stirling Prize for Architecture in 2000, and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts<\/a>, shortlisted for The Stage Theatre Building of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/yopa-production-wordpress-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/homeowners-hub\/uploads\/2020\/05\/peckham-library-1024x681.jpg\")
Above: Peckham Library<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat\u2019s on?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nPeckham offers a smorgasbord of creative and cultural events throughout the year, attracting art-lovers, creatives, students and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The biggie is definitely the eponymous Peckham Festival<\/a>, celebrating all that is creative and cultural in the area. Peckham Rye Music Festival<\/a> and the music and food focused Jam on Rye<\/a> are also popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe CLF Art Caf\u00e9<\/a> in the Bussey Building is a music and arts venue, offering everything from opera concerts to electronic dance music day and night. Fans of the big screen can catch a film for just \u00a34.99 at Peckhamplex cinema<\/a> and those who appreciate art can take a trip to South London Gallery<\/a>, which showcases contemporary art, or Copeland Gallery<\/a>. Another option on a rainy day is Four Quarters<\/a> for vintage arcade games or an exhibition at Peckham Springs\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor further information on events in Peckham, have a read of TimeOut\u2019s<\/a> informative guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSafety and crime<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhilst the borough of Southwark can see high levels of crime (and knife crime<\/a> in particular unfortunately) in certain areas, Peckham itself has seen a decrease in crime since the 90s following a period of regeneration and EU investment in the area.The Met Police have a Safer Neighbourhood Team<\/a> in Peckham and they and other local agencies work together as part of the Safer Southwark Partnership<\/a> to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThinking of moving to <\/strong>Peckham?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For those with a car, the M25 is a 45-minute drive and Gatwick Airport is an hour\u2019s drive away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearest train stations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are 35 primary schools<\/a> in the Peckham and Camberwell district, 5 of which are rated as \u201coutstanding\u201d by Ofsted<\/a> (including John Donne Primary School and Angel Oak Academy) and another 29 rated \u201cgood\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, local \u201coutstanding<\/a>\u201d comprehensive schools include Sacred Heart Catholic School and the St Thomas the Apostle College. For families with a preference for private school education, The Villa<\/a> is suitable for children aged two to seven, and there are a number of private schools in the local Dulwich area, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearby Goldsmiths, University of London<\/a> and Camberwell College of Arts<\/a> are ideal for creative students, with QS World Rankings placing Goldsmiths in the top five UK universities for both Art & Design and Communication & Media and in the UK\u2019s top 25 for research quality. London South Bank University<\/a> is another excellent option for further education and was voted University of the Year for Graduate Employment in 2018 and 2019 by The Sunday Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n New parents in Peckham can use Happity<\/a> to find local baby and toddler classes and there are also a number of local community groups. Mush<\/a> is an excellent app for chatting to other local parents in the area and Hoop<\/a> is useful for discovering nearby family activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you would expect from an area voted one of the best places to live in London, local amenities and leisure facilities in Peckham are excellent, whether you are looking for somewhere to dine out, enjoy a family walk or while away a rainy day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rye Lane<\/a> is the main shopping street, awash with independent shops<\/a> catering for the large African community, vintage shops and the Aylesham Centre<\/a>, where you\u2019ll find big high street names. Along Bellenden Road shoppers can enjoy perusing delicatessens, artisan bookshops and healthy-eating outlets. There is also a farmers\u2019 market<\/a> held every Sunday, and Asda, Morrisons and Lidl supermarkets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A real paradise for foodies, Peckham dishes up something delicious for every taste, from cool hipster hangouts serving burgers and chicken to fine dining Italian restaurants. On the High Street you\u2019ll find budget eateries alongside small independent cafes and restaurants serving traditional Nigerian dishes. Bellenden Road is home to Begging Bowl<\/a> for delectable Thai food, Made of Dough<\/a> pizzeria and Italian restaurant Artusi<\/a>. Coal Rooms<\/a> in Peckham Rye train station is another interesting eatery, where gastronomes can tuck into topside crispy goat, tangy jerk chicken and slow-cooked lamb shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Peckham is renowned for its rooftop bars, too, which offer stunning panoramic views of the city skyline. Highlights include Bussey Rooftop Bar<\/a>, which is set under a beautiful canopy of flowers \u2013 ideal for an Instagram snap \u2013 along with an open-air cinema club. Another Peckham favourite is Frank\u2019s Caf\u00e9<\/a>. Set above the former Peckham Levels multi-storey car park and renowned for its bubble-gum pink staircase, industrial art exhibitions and its sensational summer arts programme that includes the Multi-Story Orchestra<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking for a good local pub, the Prince of Peckham<\/a> is the place to be. Equally as sleepy and comfortable as it is lively, this boozer has board games and plump sofas, as well as open mic nights, disco yoga nights and live music and DJs at the weekends. Not to be missed is its mouth-watering street food, including the tastiest jerk chicken wings and Caribbean roasts. Alternatively, with its world-class grime music scene, many residents flock to Tola nightclub<\/a> to dance the night away or to Tasty Bakery<\/a>, a Caribbean bakery by day and unique club by night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those times when you want to escape urban life, Green Flag Peckham Rye Park and Common<\/a> has various formal and nature gardens, an adventure playground, a caf\u00e9 and abundant flora and fauna. Fitness options include Peckham Pulse Leisure Centre<\/a>, which has a fitness centre, swimming pool (with award-winning swimming lessons), soft play area, sauna and steam room \u2013 perfect for a family day out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Architectural fans will love the juxtaposition of converted warehouses and characterful old buildings set amongst contemporary pieces of architecture such as the library<\/a>, which won a Stirling Prize for Architecture in 2000, and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts<\/a>, shortlisted for The Stage Theatre Building of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Peckham offers a smorgasbord of creative and cultural events throughout the year, attracting art-lovers, creatives, students and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggie is definitely the eponymous Peckham Festival<\/a>, celebrating all that is creative and cultural in the area. Peckham Rye Music Festival<\/a> and the music and food focused Jam on Rye<\/a> are also popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The CLF Art Caf\u00e9<\/a> in the Bussey Building is a music and arts venue, offering everything from opera concerts to electronic dance music day and night. Fans of the big screen can catch a film for just \u00a34.99 at Peckhamplex cinema<\/a> and those who appreciate art can take a trip to South London Gallery<\/a>, which showcases contemporary art, or Copeland Gallery<\/a>. Another option on a rainy day is Four Quarters<\/a> for vintage arcade games or an exhibition at Peckham Springs\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For further information on events in Peckham, have a read of TimeOut\u2019s<\/a> informative guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whilst the borough of Southwark can see high levels of crime (and knife crime<\/a> in particular unfortunately) in certain areas, Peckham itself has seen a decrease in crime since the 90s following a period of regeneration and EU investment in the area.The Met Police have a Safer Neighbourhood Team<\/a> in Peckham and they and other local agencies work together as part of the Safer Southwark Partnership<\/a> to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSchools<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Leisure and amenities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s on?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Safety and crime<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Thinking of moving to <\/strong>Peckham?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n