Lady’s Guide to Camberwell, London

Ever since I moved to south London I’ve been spending my free time exploring new-to-me London neighborhoods. One of them is Camberwell. East of Brixton and west of Peckham, this artsy area with Victorian houses has a great mix of things to get excited about. Today I want to share my favorites in A Lady in London’s guide to Camberwell.

Camberwell

Centered around Camberwell Green, this area is the meeting point for diverse elements of London.

The presence of Camberwell College of Arts and the contemporary South London Gallery means it’s home to artists and has a creative streak.

But it’s also full of classic London houses with the brick facades and colorful doors I love.

Add to that an endless stream of new restaurants, cafes, and bars popping up, and the area has a bit of everything. Which is why it’s worth a visit.

How to Get to Camberwell

And visiting is easy despite the lack of a tube station. Denmark Hill station is well connected by rail to a number of central London train stations, and there are plenty of buses that travel from the city center to the heart of the area.

Restaurants, Bars, Pubs, and Cafes

Since food is my favorite, I’ll start with where to eat and drink in the neighborhood.

When I’m in the mood for coffee and pastries, TOAD Bakery on Peckham Road is just the ticket. It’s one of the best bakeries in London, and I always enjoy the delicious food and friendly staff.

I also like going to Camberwell Church Street and the surrounding area to get my fix. Just off Camberwell Green, this road is packed with good restaurants and bars.

I particularly enjoy going for pizza at Theo’s on Grove Lane. Their wood-fired Margherita pizza is simple but delicious.

As far as pubs go, The Camberwell Arms is my go-to. I love the bright ambiance and high ceilings in the front, and the cozy feel of the dining room in the back.

The food is excellent, and I often lose track of how many small plates I’ve had while I’m here.

When it comes to cafes in this part of London, it’s hard not to like Love Walk Cafe. The name is adorable, and the eclectic decor and wall art make it colorful and inviting.

Also worth a trip is Lumberjack. This place is a local general store, kitchen, and artisanal deli. It has an emphasis on specialty coffee and baked goods. There’s a big seating area downstairs that’s perfect for enjoying a cuppa.

Camberwell Green

Since the area centers around Camberwell Green, I’ll talk about that next. This park sits at the intersection of a number of the neighborhood’s main roads.

It offers a nice place to relax in the middle of a busy part of London, and is surrounded by a number of eye-catching historic buildings.

On Saturdays the Camberwell Farmers’ Market brings the green alive with stalls selling seasonal produce, meat, eggs, pies, fresh bread, chutneys, jams, and cheeses.

I also love going to Camberwell Green for annual events like the Camberwell Arts Festival and Camberwell Fair.

The space comes alive with music, performers, and market stalls, and being here is a great way to get a feel for the community spirit in the area.

Parks in Camberwell

Beyond Camberwell Green, there are other parks to explore in the neighborhood.

Myatt’s Fields Park is a 14-acre Victorian special between Camberwell and Brixton with a wildlife garden and weekly market. It’s a great place to find peace in the city and take in some of London’s seasonal colors.

Ruskin Park is another of my favorite parks in Camberwell. I often find myself walking through its gardens on my way to Brixton.

It has a lot of curving paths, a pretty pergola walk, and water features, but the main reason I like it is for all the adorable dogs running around.

Other green spaces in the area include Brunswick Park and St. Giles Churchyard. Even the edge of the immense Burgess Park lies in the area.

Lucas Gardens in particular is a neighborhood gem. The park has ornate metal gates behind which lie flower beds and winding paths among ornamental trees. It’s a peaceful place to sit with a book on a sunny afternoon.

Streets in Camberwell

As with most of London, one of my favorite things to do in Camberwell is explore the side streets. This area has a lot of good ones, particularly in the south around Denmark Hill.

One of my favorite streets in the neighborhood is Grove Lane. There are more colorful doors here than I’ve seen in most parts of London. Add to that a local bookshop and the unusual sight of large front gardens, and it’s a unique place to explore in London.

Running parallel to Grove Lane, Camberwell Grove is another picturesque street. I like getting between them via Canning Cross, a narrow lane with pretty houses and a secret passageway.

Once on Grove Lane, side streets with names like Ribbon Dance Mews always put a smile on my face.

And that’s to say nothing of Love Lane, which has some of the prettiest secret gardens in the area.

Art and Galleries in Camberwell

Back to the area’s art scene, Camberwell has no shortage of artistic treasures.

The aforementioned South London Gallery was founded in 1891 with a vision to ‘bring art to the people of South London’. It still offers free entry to its contemporary art exhibitions today.

In recent years, the South London Gallery has expanded into a restored 19th-century fire station that serves as its second venue.

In addition to the gallery, events like the Artists’ Open House at the Dulwich Festival mean Camberwell artists have open studios throughout the year.

It’s great to go and see what they’ve been working on, not to mention support the local community by buying their work.

Camberwell, London

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Camberwell guide as much as I’ve loved getting to know this part of south London. It’s a great area to visit, and there’s always something new to discover here.

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