Living in Nunhead: travel links, parking, schools, best streets — and the average cost of monthly rent

Billed as “Peckham’s sensible sister”, Nunhead has a down-to-earth charm combined with a low-key independent spirit that attracts hipsters who are starting to question whether they really need an all-night party right on their doorstep.

And, with a high street that offers everything from a utilitarian plumbers merchants (albeit one with lovely signage) and a good-value greengrocer to a trendy coffee shop and a French-style restaurant, the area’s reputation as one of London’s nicest villages is well deserved.

The area attracts a wide mix of professionals, says Harris Minhas of Roy Brooks, from creative types to investment bankers.

A residents parking permit costs £125 per year or £31.25 for hybrid and electric vehicles.

Crime in the area is below the London average with six crimes per 1,000 residents.

The most commonly reported crimes are violence, vandalism and residential burglary.

As for fitness, Eitan Krav Maga on Nunhead Green teaches the military self-defence and fighting technique created by Israeli defence forces.

There are also boutique gym options such as hot yoga and a branch of F45 in Peckham Rye.

Source: Rightmove

“Evelina Road is a popular place to live because it’s where you find most of the local eateries, coffee shops and so on,” says Harris Minhas, lettings manager at Roy Brooks.

“Kimberley Avenue is also very popular because it’s close to Nunhead station. Both have period houses, some divided into flats, some available to rent in their entirety.”

Trains from Nunhead station take around 20 minutes to London Victoria.

It's about a 15 minute walk to Queens Road Peckham station where commuters can catch the Overground. The area also has a comprehensive bus network.

Rye Oak Primary, Hollydale Primary and St Mary Magdalene Church of England Primary School are all rated “good” by Ofsted.

There’s an old-fashioned village vibe in Nunhead with Beaumont the greengrocer, FC Soper Fishmonger and BYO, a packaging-free store cupboard supplies shop.

“Crackheads,” says Minhas. “There are people taking drugs and drinking on the park benches in Nunhead Green. But there are active local groups working to improve the area.”

Living separately in tiny flats in central Peckham, Joe Dickie, 32, and his friends Jess, a freelance journalist, and Annie, who runs bespoke piñata business Divine Party Time, all yearned for the same thing — more space.

So they targeted a slightly cheaper rental area, clubbing together to find a full house to share with outside space and, crucially, a separate kitchen and living room.

“Also, central Peckham was horrendously noisy, my room was very small and there was no outside space for any of us,” says Joe, a trainee social worker. “We wanted to live somewhere more residential but we didn’t think we’d be able to afford Nunhead. When we found this house, though the décor wasn’t really to our taste, it was otherwise exactly what we were looking for.”

Since moving to London as students just over 10 years ago, the three friends had all lived in flat shares together between job moves, relationship break-ups and ongoing studies. This meant they felt confident they would get along as more grown-up housemates.

They’ve been in their new house just over a month. Joe pays £680 a month not including bills, the biggest share of the rent because he has the largest room.

“I never imagined I would have a room this big,” he says.

“There’s a fruit and veg shop called Beaumont which is my dream, I love it. I think it’s been there for quite a few years and it’s really affordable,” says Joe.

He’s also a fan of the local hardware shop; family-run Ayres Bakery and BYO packaging-free supermarket.

Babette offers a taste of vintage Paris by way of south London, with delicious sharing boards, cocktails and wine, in a friendly French atmosphere.

Joe also likes the community-run Ivy House pub, the Goodcup independent coffee shop and Four Hundred Rabbits for sourdough pizza and craft beer.

Annie makes piñatas for the comedy night Piñata Play at The Old Nun’s Head pub.

“Nunhead Cemetery is really nice for going for walks and looking at those weird gravestones,” says Joe.

Although now closed to the public, Nunhead Reservoir has some of south London’s best views and is occasionally open for guided walks hosted by London Wildlife Trust.