Bermondsey was hailed by The Times in 2018 as London’s Best Place to Live. Don’t worry, you haven’t missed the boat – this broad stretch of south east London still has plenty on offer for first time buyers looking to be at the centre of the action.
5 REASONS WE LOVE… BERMONDSEY
- The River Thames, of course!
- Incredible community spirit
- The Bermondsey Beer Mile
- Green spaces to retreat to
- The food – from street food to upmarket restaurants
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
Located south of the river, in the London Borough of Southwark, Bermondsey is a busy and bustling part of town, stretching from Tower Bridge to the Old Kent Road. Described for a long time as “up-and-coming”, it is fair to say that Bermondsey has now well and truly arrived.
Bermondsey is a living museum, showcasing the area’s rich history with pride. From St Mary Magdalen Church in Bermondsey Street (completed in 1690), to the wharves of the 20th century, to modern developments in regenerated warehouses. The result is a visual cacophony, an assault on the senses almost, but somehow it all comes together to create a cohesive – and thriving – urban community.
Bermondsey is perfectly positioned for easy travel in and around the capital and the South East. Bermondsey tube station, on the Jubilee Line, is in Zone 2, while nearby London Bridge and Borough stations are in Zone 1. The commute to Canary Wharf is less than 10 minutes, making this a particularly popular spot for city workers to reside.
On the Overground, South Bermondsey railway station is also local and links to London Bridge in minutes. Numerous bus services, including night buses, serve the area or, for a scenic alternative, you can travel by river on the Uber Thames Clipper service.
London is known as a melting-pot of ethnicity and culture, and Bermondsey certainly reflects this. The diverse population gives the location a cosmopolitan feel. Homes in the area are highly sought-after by young professionals and families alike, and all are catered to. There are beautiful period properties, comfortable terraced homes and contemporary apartments in abundance. The regeneration of the riverside has brought some particularly impressive developments, many with enviable amenities including concierge services and handy residents’ gyms.
FACT FILE
Average property price in Bermondsey (December 2023) – £535,918.
Property breakdown:
- Detached − £1,813,538,
- Semi-detached − £1,076,173,
- Terraced − £798,074,
- Flat − £456,598 (According to the Land Registry House Price Index).
FAMOUS RESIDENTS
- Boxer David Haye
- EastEnders actor Gillian Wright
- YouTuber Joshua Bradley, aka Zerkaa
- Footballer Katie Chapman
- Actor Jamie Foreman
OUT AND ABOUT
Bermondsey’s cultural and historical attractions draw tourists to the area in their droves and regeneration has brought with it further popular attractions including the Design Museum and Fashion and Textile Museum. The area is also famous for its antique dealers and for Friday’s antiques market in Bermondsey Square. Into art? Head to the White Cube Gallery on Bermondsey Street; Europe’s largest commercial gallery space.
Locals eagerly anticipate annual community events including Bermondsey Carnival and Bermondsey Street Festival, which attracts over 20,000 people. A strong community spirit is evident here, and at the countless seasonal markets and pop-up events hosted and enjoyed by residents.
Bermondsey lends itself to an active lifestyle, from strolling, jogging, or cycling by the Thames, working out in one of the numerous gyms or joining a sports team. Southwark Park boasts an athletics track, tennis court, football pitches and bowls club, in addition to a summer boating lake. Tanner Street Park, Burgess Park, and Paterson Park are also local, and you can’t beat Bermondsey Spa Gardens for a true city haven. Stave Hill Ecological Park in Rotherhithe is also well worth a visit. Run by volunteers, it has been designed and managed to form a mosaic of grassland, woodland, scrub and wetland habitats.
Bermondsey has a selection of shopping locales, including the charming Bermondsey Street, but the one that best epitomises the area is The Blue; locals often talk of “going down The Blue” to do their shopping, and the area is known for its independent stores and personal service. Old Kent Road is home to Lidl, Asda, Tesco, Argos and B&Q.
Bermondsey is known for its array of places to eat. Donnelly’s Restaurant is a fine example, serving fresh, UK-grown produce in the form of delicious sharing plates. José Tapas Bar on Bermondsey Street is another favourite. More informal eateries are also plentiful with an abundance of cafes to enjoy a relaxed brunch, or pubs to tuck into a Sunday roast. On the subject of pubs, there are far too many to list! Many believe the best way to sample the local offerings is on the Bermondsey Beer Mile. Now closer to two miles, the journey will take you to more than 20 bars and breweries, from Southwark Brewing Co and Kanpai Taproom & Kitchen on Druid Street, via It Ain’t Much if it Ain’t Dutch on Enid Street, through to Fourpure on Bermondsey Trading Estate. If you make it through to the evening, Bermondsey Bar and Hide Bar come highly recommended and both offer live music.
école
Right in the heart of Bermondsey, this new collection of properties from Higgins Homes is inspirational. There is a studio, one and two bedroom apartments and duplexes, in one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Built on the site of a relocated school, the name école is perfect. What makes these homes stand out from the crowd is the attention to detail and very high specification.
ROK kitchens include Bosch integrated appliances, with an electric oven, induction hob, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and integrated microwave – there’s even a Hafele pull-out wastebin and a washer-dryer in the utility cupboard. Luxurious bathrooms and en suites are spacious and equipped with a full-height fitted mirror, recessed towel box and a large chrome shower head plus a secondary handset to the shower enclosure in the en suites. Nothing has been forgotten here, including your safety, with a video entry system, smoke detector and a fire sprinkler system. Apartments and duplexes offer gardens or balconies with inspiring views of central London and beyond.
For those who want some green space, Southwark Park is nearby and Stave Hill Ecological Park will enthral nature lovers with meadows, streams and wetlands. école is a 10-minute walk to Bermondsey underground station where you can reach Waterloo in 14 minutes and Stratford in 24 minutes. If cycling is your preferred form of travel then it’s only nine minutes to London Bridge and 12 minutes to Elephant & Castle. Food and drink is on hand with a wealth of cafes, restaurants, pubs and, of course, the famous Borough Market.
Southwark has seen many changes in recent years and Bermondsey topped the 2018 Sunday Times survey as the best place to call home – école is a gem in the heart of south London and this development is not one to miss.
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