The South London neighbourhood named one of the poshest that's worlds away from its 'hectic' neighbours

South London isn’t usually the first place that comes to mind when you think of posh areas. Most people associate ‘posh’ with Hampstead Heath in the north, or Richmond in the west.

Yet Herne Hill, tucked just below Brixton, has earned a spot on the list of the UK’s poshest suburbs. With its charming streets and independent shops, it’s more akin to Walthamstow Village than its bustling neighbours. And many of the residents there are keen to keep it a secret.

A recent report by Savills highlighted areas with the highest number of households holding large mortgages, marking its affluence, and Herne Hill made it to the list. These areas exclude places dominated by cash buyers or second-home owners. I visited Herne Hill to ask locals if they think it is one of Britain’s poshest areas. It was hard to find any big chains, but I did come across a Gail’s bakery. Classic.

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However, residents have mixed views on Herne Hill’s newfound ‘posh’ status. Malcolm Frow, 79, said: “It’s very mixed. Towards Dulwich, it’s posh, but near Brixton, there are housing estates.”

Malcolm added that this area is up and coming, though. He said: “It's a very lovely place to live. Still free of the big chains of shops and restaurants, so there's lots of little artisan shops. I think it's definitely up and coming. But don't tell anybody that because' its' nice being a bit of a find'.

Herne Hill has spacious family homes, a lively high street, and is full of independent spots. Savills reports the average house price is £1.66 million, with household incomes averaging £149,525.

Cezary Sykut, 25, agrees that it is expensive, but says deals can still be found. He said: “My rent is very cheap; otherwise, I couldn’t afford it. I definitely recommend living here. It’s very safe, quiet, and has all the shops you need nearby.”

Cezary did not clarify the price they pay for rent. However on average, the price of 1 bed apartments for rent in/near Herne Hill, in November in 2024, was £1,876 and was £2,131 for two bedrooms, according to Rentberry.

For many, the area’s appeal lies in its green spaces and community vibe. Many locals benefit from use of Brockwell Lido, which is in the park. It is also home to a great pub - the Half Moon. Built in 1896, The Half Moon is the oldest pub in Herne Hill. Tash Breeze, 26, loves the local parks and dog-friendly atmosphere: “It’s not what you think of as London; it’s not hectic at all.”

Tash added that Herne Hill is definitely posh because of the amount of dog walkers. She said: “That's the epitome of people that are well off, because dogs are expensive.”

Sofia Leakander, who was walking her dog, agrees Herne Hill is posh compared to nearby areas. She said: “In relation to surrounding areas, yeah, it's definitely posher than places like Camberwell or Brixton.”

The high street’s independent shops, like Lowie, reflect its unique character. Natalie Rolland, who works there, said: “We get the best of both worlds here; we’re nestled in between Dulwich, which is quite affluent, and then Brixton, which is a bit more ‘in the city. It's got a very leafy, villagey, community feel."

However, not everyone agrees on its ‘posh’ label. Zoey Huxford, 27, said: “I don’t know if it’s the poshest. Poshness has spread, and boundaries are less clear these days.” Zoey’s favourite feature of the area is the Sunday food and crafts market. She added: “I’m all into artisan things, and the market is full of them.”

While opinions are mixed, residents agree Herne Hill is expensive to live in, and totally different from its noisy neighbour, Brixton. Its charm lies in its mix of affluence, community, and greenery.

House prices in Herne Hill have an overall average of £763,525 over the last year, according to RightMove. The majority of properties sold in Herne Hill during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of £516,684. Terraced properties sold for an average of £1,153,844, with semi-detached properties fetching £1,471,401.

Overall, the historical sold prices in Herne Hill over the last year were 13% down on the previous year and 8% down on the 2020 peak of £829,317.

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