By Alice Giddings

Copyright metro

Camberwell is the unexpected titleholder of the coolest neighbourhood (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)

It’s official, the UK’s coolest neighbourhood has been dethroned.

Stokes Croft and St Paul’s in Bristol previously topped a list of the coolest places to live in the UK in 2024, but it has failed to make the cut this year in a brand new ranking.

Instead it’s been upstaged by a rather unexpected area of London, and the decision is bound to raise a few eyebrows.

Forget about Shoreditch and Camden, as well as the likes of arty Peckham and edgy Brixton as it’s Camberwell that was the surprising winner.

And it’s not just been deemed the coolest neighbourhood in the UK, but it’s apparently one of the coolest in the entire world.

Camberwell came in at number four in Time Out’s list of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods for 2025, following closely behind Jimbocho in Tokyo (first place), Borgerhout in Antwerp (second) and Barra Funda in São Paulo in third.

And it beat out spots in Paris, Seoul and Helsinki to crack the top five.

Camberwell has a lot to offer if you’re into a slower type of living (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)

All of the neighbourhoods were ranked on factors like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink, as well as independent businesses and local character.

Camberwell was selected as one of the coolest for its ‘young-at-heart vibe’ and ‘indpendent spirit’ – you won’t find big chains there.

If you’ve passed up this chic quarter of the city, you’ve been missing out, so stick around, because Metro has compiled all of its must-sees and local-approved hot-spots.

From where to get the ultimate sandwich to contemporary art galleries to explore and handcrafted wares, Camberwell offers cool with a touch of homegrown goodness.

Here’s everything you need to know about the South London location…

The world’s top ten coolest neighbourhoods:

Jimbocho, Tokyo
Borgerhout, Antwerp
Barra Funda, São Paulo
Camberwell, London
Avondale, Chicago
Mullae-dong, Seoul
Ménilmontant, Paris
Nakatsu, Osaka
Vallila, Helsinki
Labone, Accra

Food and drink in Camberwell

When it comes to pints, pastries and delicious dinners, Camberwell has it all.

Locals start their mornings off clutching a warm cup of caffeine from Lumberjack Coffee.

Known for its mean flat whites, there is often a queue but once you’ve ordered you can shop while you wait. There’s a mini store inside filled with kitchenware, farm shop goods and handmade scented candles. A hidden little garden area is tucked in the back if you want to sit for a while.

@flaavour.town Another great non-touristy day out in London 📍 Camberwell 📍 Toad bakery 📍 Shop from Crisis 📍 Camberwell market 📍 Cafe Mondo #londondayout #vlog #foodie #londonbakery #camberwell #creatorsearchinsights #charityshoppinguk ♬ Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy – Single Version – The Tams

To make things even better, every coffee you buy goes to a social enterprise which helps equip a young person for the world of work.

Alternatively you have TOAD Bakery another local hot-spot for pastry-hungry pilgrims, from classic cinnamon buns to a leak, stilton and chestnut croissant.

It’s the go-to since the beloved Grove Lane Deli, dubbed an ‘absolute favourite’ on TikTok, closed its doors after becoming too successful and the owner not wanting to expand the business. The heartache felt by locals was real, with one sharing they were shaken ‘to their core’.

Toad Bakery Camberwell with a queue out the door (Picture: @toadbakery)

Hermit is the ultimate pub for a pre-dinner pint, often full to the brim with people, meaning there’s a great atmosphere.

For pub lunch and dinners, the Grove House Tavern is all the rage. It has a residency of Mondo Sando, dubbed ‘probably the best sandwich shop in Britain’ by restaurant critic, David Ellis.

If that floats your boat, then head to Cafe Mondo on Peckham road to the home of the sandwich and feast on the fried chicken cutlet offering or the ultimate BLT.

Mondos Sandwiches are adored by locals and visitors alike (Picture: @mondo.sandwiches)

Every cool neighbourhood has a market

From Borough Market to Portobello Road Market, the Columbia Road Flower Market and, of course, Camden Market – no ‘cool’ place is complete without one.

Camberwell is no different, Camberwell Green Farmers’ Market operates every Saturday from 10am to 3pm. It’s got everything from fresh bread and meat, to homegrown vegetables, as well as freshly pressed and bottled juices.

You mustn’t miss the freshly made La Tua Pasta or craft beer offering Drunken Bee Mead, though.

Camberwell market has lots on offer for the homebody (Picture: Camberwell Green Market)

It’s on the art scene

If you’re one who enjoys pondering the meaning of art, then Camberwell has you covered. The South London Gallery offers countless free art exhibitions, film screenings and even workshops.

It boasts the original gallery and a second building in the newly converted fire station just down the road.

Yto Barrada’s art will be hanging here for a while, spanning textiles, sculptures and paintings in an abstract theme.

Victorian buildings of Camberwell Art College on Peckham Road (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)

But it’s not just the art you have to appreciate – you can appreciate a good pastry in the gallery’s cafe or pick up some limited edition prints in the gift shop.

If you’re keen, you could even wander the secluded garden out back – you can make a whole afternoon of it.

Metro’s thoughts on Camberwell…

Metro’s newsletter editor lives near Camberwell and is a big fan of the area, so naturally she’s thrilled by its ranking on the list.
Sophie said: ‘ Finally Camberwell getting the love it deserves!
‘Church Street has hands down some of the best food in the city– from legendary cheap eats like Falafel & Shawarma and Silk Road to really great neighbourhood restaurants like Hello Jojo and Theo’s.
‘It’s also less pretentious and way more laid back than a lot of ‘cool’ neighbourhoods – it’s still got that London buzz. Fantastic pubs, cute parks – there’s even a jazz bar in the church crypt.
‘Doesn’t get cooler than that.’

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Life as a local

Living in one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods doesn’t come cheap, in fact, terraced properties sell here for an average of £949,771, while a detached home fetches more than one million, according to Rightmove.

Flats here are more respectably priced, but still steep, at an average cost of £453,427.

Another major downside is that it’s not the most well-connected area, with your closest tube stations being Kennington and Oval for the Tube, or Denmark Hill for Thameslink services. But, you can be at London Bridge, Kings Cross and Euston pretty darn quickly.

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