When I heard that a London neighbourhood had been named one of the "coolest in the world," I wasn't sure what to expect - in fact, I wanted to laugh. Camberwell isn't as famous as Shoreditch, Camden Town or Notting Hill, but it recently claimed an incredible fourth place on Time Out's global list. The neighbourhood even impressively ranked second in Europe and first in the entire UK.
Defining what "coolness" means, a writer from Time Out shared: "The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space.
"Put simply, the world's coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play." Despite living just 40 minutes away, I have never truly explored the neighbourhood or rather appreciated it.
To discover whether the area was truly "cool" I took a trip around Camberwell and captured it's livlihood in pictures. Do you think it's worthy of it's ranking? Let us know in the comments below.
South London Gallery The first place I visited was the South London Gallery on Peckham Road, which opened in 1891.
According to the gallery's website: "Over the past 20 years, the SLG has worked with hundreds of artists on a wide range of exhibitions and projects, as well as supporting the professional development and practice of artists through residencies in the Outset Artists' Flat."
" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Shania King-Soyza" data-licensor-name="Shania King-Soyza" />"The Grade II listed building, which was generously donated to the Gallery by an anonymous benefactor, is an addition to the SLG's main site, enabling the Gallery to enhance the ambition, scope and impact of its programmes to sustain a long-term future."
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"Home to the Everything Bagel Croissant (I'm not going to describe it, it's just as good as it sounds), a brilliant hybrid sourdough tin loaf, and the miso soy sesame cookie of all your saltiest fantasies, there's very little at Toad that doesn't do absolute bits."
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The scheme allows customers who can't afford it to pick up a Post-it note containing a pre-paid drink or meal from a stranger and pay it back later. The cafe also features a book exchange scheme with a variety of books to explore.
" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Shania King-Soyza" data-licensor-name="Shania King-Soyza" />It became a public park in July 1955. Today, the park features gently sloping lawns, winding paths, and mature trees.
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"There's a possibility that people suffering from ailments might have sought healing in the Springs because the church is named after St Giles, the patron saint of beggars, poor people and people with physical disabilities."
This is fitting as the area is home to King's College Hospital, one of London's major teaching hospitals and trauma centres.
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