The best things to do in south London

What is it? A historic eighteenth-century market – London’s only one set in a World Heritage Site.

Why go? Open seven days a week from 10am to 5.30pm in the heart of charming Greenwich, the ever-reliable indoor market houses around 120 stalls selling jewellery, clothes, second-hand furniture, unusual gifts and general bric-à-brac. Go on Tuesday and Thursday for a greater number of antique stalls, or any other day for an arts and crafts focus. On any given day, you’ll find around 40 food and drink stalls selling street bites, sweet treats and artisanal goodies. 

What is it? This south-east London park is a popular hangout during sunny spells. It’s peppered with pretty walks, sports facilities, and ...erm, dinosaurs.  

Why go? For the fairly incorrect-looking dinos. Hire yourself a pedalo and you’ll be able to admire the Victorian sculptures which inhabit the shores of the lake from a brand new angle. Other top reasons to visit the park include a maze and the ruins of the old Crystal Palace’s aquarium.

What is it? Built as the Millennium Dome to mark the year 2000, these days the O2 Arena is best known for being a major live music venue.

Why go? It welcomes amazing artists from all over the world, so there’s that of course. But the best part of the O2 Arena is the rooftop. Book a dusk slot for Up at the O2 – a 52-metre climb – and look westward for the most spectacular view of the city. 

What is it? A popular museum opened by tea trader John Horniman in 1902, best known for its taxidermied animals (the most famous being an over-stuffed walrus).

Why go? Far from stuffy, this south London gem allows visitors to interact with many of the artefacts displayed (some can even be held or tried on). Aside from impressive anthropology and natural history collections, the museum also boasts 16 acres of beautiful gardens.  

What is it? This bustling weekend market in Bermondsey is a foodie paradise with a community feel.

Why go? Nestled around the atmospheric Victorian rail arches of the Ropewalk you’ll find around 30 artisan food and drink traders selling everything from craft beer to Mozambique-style peri-peri meats. Top tip: it’s open from 10am Saturday and 11am Sunday – beat the crowds and don’t leave it too late to visit.

What is it? This restored 1950s ballroom is the last of its kind in London, with a meticulously preserved Grade II-listed art deco interior. 

Why go? There are all sorts of events hosted beneath the chandeliers: chill out at a pop-up cinema screening or make the most of the sprung dancefloor at their regular funk, disco and salsa nights. 

What is it? Two palaces for the price of one. Visit for the remains of a Tudor palace and the impressive Great Hall but don’t miss the art deco mansion next door. 

Why go? The biggest draw is the art deco property built adjoining the Great Hall in 1936 by textiles heir Stephen Courtauld. The furniture and fittings look like a film set – check out the pink leather chairs, ornate black and silver doors and moulded maple veneer in the dining room, or the onyx and gold-plated taps in Virginia’s glamorous vaulted bathroom. The house was way ahead of its time when it came to mod cons, including underfloor heating, ensuite bathrooms and a quirky vacuum-cleaning system. 

What is it? A family-run spot in Camberwell serving up some of the best Kurdish food in the city. Run by chef Pary Baban and her sons Rang and Raman, it’s a nourishing whirl of smoke and sumac.

Why go? To sample their sensational house fries: picture-perfect chips flecked with tamarind-and-pink-yoghurt sauce, spices, sesame and herbs. Save soom room for baklava, too!

What is it? Saved from demolition in 2007, the CLF Art Café is a multi-floored arts and music venue that has thrived as a warehouse-style club by night and a top exhibition space during the day.

Why go? Top promoters consistently bring in some of the best DJ names, leaning primarily towards house, deep techno, garage and disco. The Bussey also hosts The South London Soul Train, making it one of the best venues in London for funk and soul.

What is it? A lively selection of restaurants and indie businesses operating out of an eclectic jumble of shipping containers.

Why go? On site there’s a greenhouse space for communal dining and a changing schedule of music and events. Don’t miss Smoke & Salt – the celebrated restaurant serving small plates that go big on technical skill and flavour.

What is it? A cleverly named rooftop bar at the summit of Rye Lane’s Market Peckham, brought to you by the team behind much-lauded Italian joint Forza Win.

Why go? For fabulous views over the south London skyline and a cracking menu of aperitivos, natural wines and tricolore-flying bar snacks. Take three pals and you can share the entire menu between you for £30 a head. 

What it is? Lending weight to the idea that the best things come in small packages, this (relatively) bijou building is the oldest public art gallery in the UK.

Why go? Its bright spaces house a brilliant collection including Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Gainsborough. It has recently branched out with an annual pavilion commission, just to give the Serpentine a run for its money, and its temporary shows are more than worth a trip across town for.

What is it? The world’s last surviving tea clipper. An imposing vessel, Cutty Sark now delicately perches on the Thames’s edge in Greenwich.

Why go? The ship was nearly destroyed by a fire in 2007, but reopened to the public in 2012 after an extreme makeover. The £30 million restoration has seen her elevated three metres above the dry dock, allowing visitors to admire the 65-metre-long hull from below. 

What is it? A canteen-style Chinese restaurant churning out favourites from the north-west frontier province of Xinjiang.

Why go? Its winningly-priced menu of hearty, chilli-spiked stews, belt noodles and shish skewers for just £1 a go. At £28, the ‘special big plate chicken’ can comfortably feed two, but we recommend taking along a few extra pals and going in on some dumplings too.

What is it? You'll find the National Maritime Museum right in the heart of the Royal Museums Greenwich. It also includes the Queen’s House next door, historic clipper Cutty Sark, and the Royal Observatory.

Why go? The collection includes works of art and incredible treasures from centuries of naval history, but most remarkable is the ‘Nelson, Navy, Nation’ section. Here, you can check out the actual clothes Nelson was wearing when he was fatally wounded on board HMS Victory.

What is it? A charming Balkan bakery and caff on Sydenham’s main high street, chef Spasia Dinkovski’s first bricks-and-mortar venue started off as a lockdown delivery service peddling delectable Balkan bakes made using her  grandmother’s recipes over Instagram.

Why go? To feast on traditional Macedonian filo pies featuring semi-psychedelic swirls of pastry packed with ground meat, gooey cheese, and enough butter to make you see into the future.

What is it? A DIY warehouse venue tucked away on an industrial estate in South Bermondsey, with a killer soundstystem that’ll rattle your bones late into the night. 

Why go? AFor its killer line-ups, which span the entire spectrum of electronic music and beyond. The likes of Jamie xx and Demdike Stare have hosted parties at the venue, but you’ll also stumble across plenty of quality selectors at any number of smaller nights run by local promoters.

What is it? A cute little neighbourhood cocktail bar-slash-record shop on the corner of Peckham Rye, founded by husband-and-wife duo and London hospitality industry veterans Sergio and Anna. 

Why go? For the homely atmosphere, on-the-money tunes and fun menu of inventive cocktails, natural wines and craft beer - you’ll also find plenty of local offerings from the likes of Kanpai and Brick Brewery on there.

What is it? Situated at the end of buzzy Bermondsey Street, this lesser-known market takes over the south London square every Friday.

Why go? Locals flock here like magpies to trawl around 200 stalls for bargain china, silver, furniture, glassware and pottery. Sure, not everything here would have David Dickinson in a tizz, but sifting the fab from the tat is all part of the fun.

What is it? One of south London’s oldest picture palaces (it originally opened in 1911), today the Ritzy keeps a little of its glamorous old-fashioned interior across its five screens. 

Why go? As well as a well-balanced line-up of blockbuster and independent films, the Ritzy has two bars, one offering a view across Windrush Square, the other tucked upstairs and playing host to an array of club nights, stand-up shows and free gigs.

What is it? A cosy European neighbourhood restaurant in Herne Hill.

Why go? Where do we start? The interiors are stylish yet unshowy, the drinks list includes extremely well curated, and the service is impeccable. Best of all is the hearty European food: from meltingly tender Hereford beef-shin ragù atop creamy polenta to a sexed-up niçoise salad filled with confit rabbit meat.

What is it? by Rhythm Section boss Bradley Zero, Jumbi is an Afro-Carribean inspired hi-fi bar in Peckham where dancing is not just encouraged, but irresistible.

Why go? To check out its steady stream of weekly events – from DJs at the weekends, to live music, open decks and quieter book clubs during the week. Visit over lunch Thursday-Sunday, order the rum roasted pineapple dessert alone and thank us later.

What is it? A glorious 50-metre pool surrounded by art deco Grade II-listed buildings. Check their Facebook page for pool temperature updates (useful during the chilly months) and up-to-date opening hours. 

Why go? Not only can you embrace the great outdoors and swim alfresco, but the poolside Lido Café is light, bright and has a short but hearty menu which spans everything from breakfast to burgers. 

What is it? A simple, sophisticated Italian with accomplished dishes and a carefully chosen drinks list. 

Why go? There’s a confidently short menu – full of punchy propositions such as smoked ox heart with romesco sauce plus outstanding own-made pasta and wickedly good ice cream. It’s a classy venture on Peckham’s poshest street.

What is it? This former car park has been transformed into a seven-storey arts space, showcasing the best of the local artistic talent and indie businesses. 

Why go? You could happily get lost here for days. Inside you’ll find music venue Ghost Notes, a cocktail bar, yoga studio, and all manner of creative start-ups, plus more delicious food traders than you can shake a seitan sausage at. 

What is it? A cult Camberwell bakery with inventive pastries that inspire queues round the block come Saturday morning. 

Why go? To sample its signature cornbread croissant, a genius invention featuring gorgeously buttery layers wrapped around rich, meltingly cheesy cornbread – the salty older sister that the almond croissant wishes she could be.

What is it? A Brixton club founded by Andy Peyton, the nightlife expert behind previous London big hitters like XOYO and The Nest (RIP). 

Why go? For its late opening hours (usually 4am on weekends) and excellent ‘4 Fridays at Phonox’ series, which has seen the likes of Yung Singh, Logic1000, DJ Tennis and HÖR Berlin take up month-long residencies at the club in recent months. 

What is it? Two popular indoor markets that have established themselves as epicentres for London’s culinary scene, housing nearly 130 independent traders.

Why go? This fertile foodie ground is home to the likes of Franco Manca and Honest Burgers, both of which started in Brixton Village before multiplying across London. Aside from food, a stroll through the arcades will reveal a treasure trove of shops selling clothing, jewellery, art, music and much more. 

What is it? This charming little 44-seater screen is run as a non-profit community project by local residents, who tend to favour classics, obscure horror and intriguing foreign films.

Why go? It’s the best place to be inspired by off-the-wall cinema. Look out for its brilliant regular events such as Latin American film night, Sci-fi Sundays, and inventive seasons that take place throughout the year. 

What is it? A good-looking restaurant specialising in South African-inspired small plates in Peckham. 

Why go? Dishes here are packed with flavour from open flame and cast iron skillets – order anything that’s been cooked in a pot or by fire – especially the BBQ ‘braai’ lamb neck with a cheese and herb crust.

What is it? Frank’s in Peckham is a festival-like outdoor bar (re-opening in the summer from May 2019), where Londoners flock to grab a drink and admire views across the city. 

Why go? Because where better to sup a Campari and watch the sunset than the top of a multi-storey car park? If that wasn’t enough, the rooftop space is a not-for-profit venture by Bold Tendencies. They’ve hosted everything from opera to orchestras – check out their website for up-to-date events.