Today I want to share my guide to the coolest neighborhoods in London with you. Whether you’re wondering where to hang out in London, where to live in London, or where to stay in London, there are plenty of hip neighborhoods in London to choose from. Whether you prefer trendy areas in the East End or cool places south of the river, you’ll find one that’s perfect for you. I’ve included a map, too.
Coolest Neighborhoods in London
One of the best things about London is that it’s so big. No matter your taste, personal style, budget, or commute (if you have one), there’s a cool London neighborhood you’ll love.
With that in mind, my aim with this blog post is to give you a range of options and ideas for the coolest London neighborhoods.
It also has links to my posts about individual London neighborhoods. They can give you more information about each one. Think of this post as the highlights reel and those posts as places where you can dig deeper.
Coolest Neighborhoods in London: East
I’ll start my list with east London. A lot of the coolest London neighborhoods can be found in the East End. Whether you’re looking for somewhere more central or more up-and-coming, there’s an area you’ll love.
If you want to dig deeper into this part of the city, my east London neighborhoods guide has more places for you to look at.
1. Hackney Wick
Hackney Wick is first on my list of the coolest neighborhoods in London. One of the hippest neighborhoods in the UK capital, it’s known for its nightlife scene and bar vibe. This area is especially popular with 20-somethings and young professionals.
Hackney Wick is also near expansive green spaces like Victoria Park and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, so there are plenty of places to get outdoors here.
Situated on the Lee Navigation canal, Hackney Wick is full of artists’ studios in converted industrial spaces, trendy cafes, and independent breweries. It’s one of the coolest areas to live in London.
2. Hackney
Next on my my list of the coolest neighborhoods in London is Hackney. This huge area in the East End is home to hip bars under railway arches, fun nightlife, mouth-watering bakeries, creative restaurants, and good coffee shops.
Hackney also features green spaces like Victoria Park and London Fields, and markets like Chatsworth Road Market, Netil Market, Broadway Market, Mare Street Market, and the Columbia Road Flower Market.
Hackney has become an increasingly popular place to live in London in recent years.
3. Shoreditch
Shoreditch is another of the coolest neighborhoods in London. This part of the East End is edgy without being too edgy, and central without being too central. There are lots of good hotels in Shoreditch, too.
This area offers a good balance if you want to be near the hip, creative parts of London without living in a neighborhood that’s still up-and-coming.
There’s a great nightlife scene here, and street art galore. Places like Redchurch Street are packed with independent shops and restaurants, and Shoreditch is near popular streets like Brick Lane.
4. Spitalfields
Next on my list of the coolest neighborhoods in London is Spitalfields. From Old Spitalfields Market to the street art and vintage shops around Brick Lane, this is one of my favorite parts of London.
Spitalfields also has great side streets and hidden lanes to discover. Puma Court and Princelet Street are two of my top picks. The 18th-century Huguenot silk weavers’ houses on the latter are beautiful.
There are new restaurants, pubs, and bars opening in this area all the time, which makes it one of the hippest neighborhoods in London. Events in and around The Truman Brewery keep the area exciting, too.
5. Walthamstow
Walthamstow comes next on my guide to the coolest neighborhoods in London. This area in the northeast of the UK capital has everything from a famous neon art cafe to a mix of contemporary shops and restaurants.
There’s great street art here, and local markets, too. The area around Blackhorse Road has lots of fun workshops, studios, and creative businesses to discover.
Walthamstow is also home to parks and wetlands that are perfect places to get outdoors.
6. Tottenham
Next on my list of the coolest neighborhoods in London is Tottenham. This up-and-coming area in the northeast of the city is home to all things new and trendy.
The high street and surrounding areas are home to hip cafes and bars, and the River Lea and Tottenham Marshes add a dollop of nature to the neighborhood.
Coolest Neighborhoods in London: Central
I’ll continue my guide to London’s coolest neighborhoods with the central area. This part of the UK capital is popular with those who want to be in the heart of the city.
You can take a look at my central London neighborhoods list to see more places in the area, too.
7. Soho
Next on my list of the coolest neighborhoods in London is Soho. This busy area in the heart of the city is home to all things new and exciting.
Soho has some of the best nightlife in London. Whether you’re looking for bars, clubs, pubs, or theaters, this area has it all and more.
There are hotels, shops, cafes, and restaurants opening here all the time, too. It’s a great place to see what’s new and noteworthy in London.
Coolest Neighborhoods in London: North
My guide to the coolest neighborhoods in London continues in the north. This part of the city has some of the most creative and exciting areas in the UK capital.
If you want to, you can take a look at my full list of north London neighborhoods as a guide.
8. Camden
Camden is another of the coolest London neighborhoods. Right on Regent’s Canal, this area is home to the famous Camden Market.
The neighborhood is also known for its fun pubs and great live music scene. Streets like Parkway are packed with restaurants and cafes, and Camden High Street retains many of the colorful facades and goth clothing shops the area was once known for.
Coolest Neighborhoods in London: South
My guide to London’s coolest neighborhoods continues in the south of the city. The area south of the Thames has changed dramatically in recent decades, and it’s home to some of the most exciting places in the UK capital.
You can take a look at my south London guide if you want to see more.
9. Deptford
Next on my list of the coolest neighborhoods in London is Deptford. This up-and-coming area in south London is known for its hip coffee shops, local market, and independent stores.
Situated right next to Greenwich on the Thames, Deptford is the perfect place if you like all things new and trendy. From pubs to pop-ups and railway arches packed with restaurants, this area has it all.
10. Brixton
Brixton is another of the coolest neighborhoods in London. This multicultural area is known for vibrant south London markets like Pop Brixton, Brixton Village, and Brixton Market.
Brixton has a great nightlife scene, too. There are lots of fun pubs, bars, and restaurants in the area, and the abundance of street art means there’s always something new to see.
11. Peckham
Peckham is next on my list of the coolest neighborhoods in London. One of the city’s hipster meccas, this area is known for its nightlife. It has some of the best rooftop bars in south London, and pop-ups galore.
Peckham is also home to great green spaces like Peckham Rye Park, independent shops and restaurants on Bellenden Road, and creative spaces in the Bussey Building.
Cool London Neighborhoods Map
Coolest Neighborhoods in London
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the coolest neighborhoods in London, and that it’s inspired you get out and explore more of the city.
Whether you’re looking to live, work, play, or go out in these areas, I’m sure you’ll have as much fun discovering them as I have.
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