There was a time when I didn’t know much about south London. But I’ve come to love it over the years, and Peckham, London is one of my favorite places. I’m glad I’ve fallen for this hip area, because there are so many things to do in Peckham that it takes a few trips to pack them all in.

Things to Do in Peckham, London

Peckham, London

You might be wondering about Peckham. I certainly was. A few years ago people started talking about this part of south London.

Then they started moving here. Then they began calling it the new Shoreditch. Then everyone wanted to be here. Including me.

Door in Peckham

How to Get to Peckham, London

It took a while for me to hop on a train and come down here. But Peckham Rye Station is only 13 minutes from Victoria so I don’t know why I was so remiss. There are also trains from London Bridge. It’s even on the Overground.

But now that I’m here I’ve discovered what all the excitement is about. Peckham, London is great.

Pub in Peckham

Things to Do in Peckham, London

Once off the train, I find myself in a graffiti-marked area outside the station with a dark tunnel leading to the street. It’s not the most encouraging introduction to Peckham.

But when I emerge from the tunnel I see a chi chi restaurant and a Jaguar pulling up to let a yummy mummy out to breakfast.

Street in Peckham

Explore Bellenden Road

Next comes a hipster strolling down the street, and before I reach the junction I’ve caught glimpses of a well-heeled couple and high-end baby gear. If you know Peckham, you’ll probably have guessed I’m now on Bellenden Road.

Bellenden Road, Peckham

This strip is the epicenter of the neighborhood’s regeneration, and the chic restaurants and design-led shops show it. There are even bollards by sculptor Antony Gormley here.

Taking in this road is first on my list of things to do in Peckham, and it doesn’t disappoint. I love all the pubs and cafes, not to mention the street art.

Walk Down Rye Lane

When I’m done exploring, I weave through the residential streets to get to Rye Lane. On the way I find rows of brick houses, plenty of colorful doors, and lots of lanes to peer down.

Vintage cars add color to front gardens, and as I approach the high street I can hear music playing from some of the shops.

Street in Peckham

Rye Lane has lots of grocers with fruit and vegetable stands spilling out into the streets. The scents of fish and butchered meat mingle with with vibrant sounds and colors to create a sensory experience a world away from Bellenden Road.

It’s refreshing to see that gentrification hasn’t taken away the all the neighborhood’s traditional character.

Meander through Peckham Rye Park

From Rye Lane I make my way down to Peckham Rye Park, a huge green triangle at the south end of this London neighborhood.

Along the way I spot more cafes and brunch places, and when I arrive I’m met with a wide expanse of park and a long tree-lined path.

Peckham Rye Park

Peckham Rye Park was laid out in 1893, and the jewel in its crown is the stunning Sexby Garden. This ornamental English garden was one of its original features and exploring it is one of my favorite things to do in Peckham.

The current layout of the garden dates from 1936 and features York stone paving and four corner arbors with benches. There’s a central fountain, too.

The garden was named after Colonel JJ Sexby, the London County Council’s first Chief Officer of Parks. Since its inception, the stunning wooden pergola has been the focal point of the Sexby Garden’s design.

In the spring, wisteria blooms and turns it into a lavender wonderland.

Wisteria in Peckham Rye Park

Hit the Bussey Building and Copeland Park

After a walk in Peckham Rye Park, I travel north again. I weave up through more side streets peppered with street art and some of the most striking contemporary architecture I’ve seen in London.

Eventually I come to the Bussey Building and Copeland Park. This complex is accessed through a narrow tunnel that makes me feel like I’m being transported to a cooler dimension.

Once through, I find myself in an industrial world full of art spaces, shops, yoga studios, and even churches.

Market in Peckham

Behind the Bussey Building is Copeland Park, where I find a lot more things to do in Peckham. There’s a vintage market on, and I browse the clothing and antiques for a while.

Market in Peckham

Next door a workout class is taking place in a warehouse with wide open doors.

On the other side is a wall covered in bright African-inspired street art patterns, and at the end sit a chic Italian restaurant and a double-decker bus with a pizza sign.

But perhaps my favorite place is the roof. The Bussey Building is famous for its rooftop bar and outdoor cinema, both of which are popular in the warmer months.

I love going to the Bussey Rooftop Bar for summer cocktails with a view over London before watching a movie at the Rooftop Film Club.

Bussey Rooftop Bar

Go to Peckham Levels

Speaking of which, perhaps the most famous rooftop bar in south London is Frank’s Cafe. It’s on the roof of Peckham Levels, a hip art space with seven floors of workshops, street food outlets, taprooms, and cocktail bars.

Going to Frank’s is one of the best things to do in Peckham in the summer months. It’s a great place for food and drinks with a view.

And when it cools down, I love going to Near & Far, the bar on the sixth floor. It has stylish decor and fun atmosphere for nights out in Peckham.

View from Frank's Cafe in South London

Visit Peckham Library

There’s a lot to take in on the ground, too. I walk to Peckham Library, one of this London neighborhood’s striking contemporary architectural features.

Designed by Alsop and Stormer and engineered by AKT II, the library won the Stirling Prize for Architecture in 2000. It’s worth a trip inside to see the beautiful use of space and take in the views over Peckham.

Peckham Library

Surrey Canal Walk

Next to it is Surrey Canal Walk, a path along what was once a canal but is now a green space. Leading to Burgess Park, it’s lined by lamp posts with women’s high heeled shoes tied on near the tops (is it art?).

It’s the northern end of the area’s answer to the southern end’s Peckham Rye Park, and offers a good way to escape the urban bustle.

Surrey Canal Walk

Things to Do in Peckham, London and Beyond

Eventually I too must escape. Well, not escape so much as head home. I hop back on the train to central London, happy to have visited this place and found so many different things to do in Peckham.

Now that I know how much is here, I have a lot of reasons to keep coming back. And I do.

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Things to Do in Peckham, London

6 Comments on Lady’s Guide to Things to Do in London’s Peckham

  1. Glad to hear you enjoyed a visit to my neighbourhood, I love living here and seeing how the area has changed dramatically over the years. Beautiful photographs!

  2. Hi Julie, thanks – as ever – for an insightful walking guide, though I am still to be convinced by Peckham’s charms. I was actually struck more by Rye Lane and its ‘Out of Kenya/Uganda’ vibe than Bellenden Rd, which I thought was underwhelming. But I do think the two experiences combined shine a fascinating line on London past, present and future. The fruit, veg, meat and fish on sale in Rye Lane was eye-opening.

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