Which part of London is the coolest?

But London is also famous for pop culture, great parties, bars and restaurants that will keep you fed and hydrated for multiple lifetimes and of course, live music you will not soon forget.

From the swinging 60s to the punks of King’s Road and indie rock of Camden to the hipster of Shoreditch and grime artists of East London, the city has often been at the forefront of everything “cool”, creating or embracing new cultural shifts and influencing tastes worldwide.

In 2022, however, where is the coolest neighbourhood of London? Where is the next big cultural phenomena going to come from?

Hackney

Many Londoners will tell you East London is no longer cool and everyone moved south of the river. While prices have gone up and the gritty bits have been cleaned up, Hackney is still a hub of creativity.

Whether it’s shopping at Columbia Road Market or going for a picnic in London Fields, Hackney, bordered by Clapton, Dalston and Victoria Park, is the place to be when in “central” East London.

Walthamstow / Leyton

For “proper” East London, you can’t go wrong with Walthamstow. The old neighbourhood of Arts and Crafts great William Morris is a lively area which boasts the longest outdoor market in Europe.

Leyton, meanwhile, is a multicultural neighbourhood with still plenty of character and grit. While not the prettiest part of London, it could contend for being one of its coolest.

Brixton

If what people say is true and everyone moved south of the river, where did they go?

Brixton has always been one of the coolest areas of London. This is the neighbourhood that gave us David Bowie after all.

Today, the area is full of things to see and do. Brixton’s Caribbean influences are evident everywhere and Brixton Village is the place to go for some independent shopping. You’ll also find plenty of exciting food and of course, events and live music. Go to O2 for big gigs or enter the first bar you see and find out what’s on.

Camberwell

With one of the University of the Arts London colleges calling it home, Camberwell is full of art students, exciting exhibitions and cool bars and cafes.

However, while undeniably cool, this is one of the most lowkey neighbourhoods on this list.

Peckham

Hipsters who left East London seem to all have moved to Peckham.

The home of Frank’s Cafe – the rooftop bar on top of a carpark, which has become synonymous with trendiness – Peckham is everything Shoreditch was back in the days, and more.

Peckham is also where you’ll find Bussey Building and its club nights and live music.

Camden / Kentish Town

Neighbourhoods in East and South London may be the place to be for now, but one area of the city which has kept its shine and cool status for seemingly time immemorial is Camden.

While touristy, Camden retains a certain aura of cool that has never faded.

Kentish Town, meanwhile, is primarily a residential area north of Camden. O2 Forum, however, makes the area lively at night, with live bands and club nights that could almost make you believe this north London area was south of the river.

Sarah Kante