Herne Hill: A great place raise a family

Herne Hill is one of the perfect places in the capital for young families. Not only does the area offer a fantastic selection of larger and older properties, it is also right next to Brockwell Park. The park is one of London's best green areas and offers families a variety of things to do, especially in the summer months when it is a beautiful place to spend the day and to relax in the sun.

The main attractions

As well as being located on the edge of a broad expanse of beautiful nature in the heart of South London, Herne Hill also presents people with a lovely atmosphere. As there are so many first time buyers and young families in the area, it is quite an ambient place to live and visit.

It has a great range of shops, the majority of which are independent and offer a variety of interesting styles for most tastes, as well as a good selection of restaurants, pubs and family friendly activities. For those that are looking for a more cultured experience, Herne Hill also boasts some impressive art galleries and excellent wine bars.

A big plus to Herne Hill is the fact that it has one of London's remaining outdoor swimming pools. The pool is found in Brockwell Park and allows families to enjoy an outside swimming experience throughout the summer months without having to travel to the nearest beach. When you've finished enjoying the water, you can also take your family to anyone of the three duck ponds in the park to enjoy some wildlife, to the miniature railway or simply enjoy the plant life in the park's walled garden.

For those wishing to get a bit of exercise into their day, the Herne Hill Velodrome is available for a cycle. The Velodrome was, before construction began for the London Olympics, London's only cycle racing track, allowing Herne Hill residents to take advantage of its close proximity.

Housing options

There is a variety of different housing options available to those looking to move to the Herne Hill area. There are always a number of rental opportunities as well as homes for sale.

You can benefit from one to three bedroom properties throughout the majority of Herne Hill at very reasonable prices. Larger properties are available but, as usual, come with a much larger price tag. Whether you are looking for homes to rent in Herne Hill or to purchase a property you will be spoilt for choice in terms of older, historic properties.

Herne Hill is home to a huge number of classic red brick houses that offer larger rooms and more floors. Some of these houses have been turned into very stylish apartments, which are perfect for professional couples. However, if you require a larger property there are houses available with up to six bedrooms, making it a great place for families of any size.

Added bonuses

As well as the main attractions, Herne Hill offers you a few added bonuses that you won't necessarily find anywhere else in London. These are on top of the other attractions that Brockwell Park has to offer - such as its BMX track, cafe and tennis courts - meaning that Herne Hill really is one of the nicest places to live in the capital.

There are a number of local pubs throughout the area that will suit almost anyone's taste. Many of the older pubs have received a bit of a tidy-up in recent years and are now incredibly trendy places to grab a pint and often a bite to eat. Many of the pubs also host different forms of entertainment, perfect for those that like to keep up with the emerging music scene.

Herne Hill Market is also a must for anyone living in the area, or for anyone visiting the area. It runs every Sunday from 10am to 4pm and offers all visitors a beautiful array of fresh produce, local art and South London charm. All stalls source their wares from within 100 miles of the market, so you know that you are getting incredibly fresh and local produce.

As well as the number of pubs, restaurants and usual takeaways throughout Herne Hill, residents also benefit from the institution that is Olley's fish and Chips. Olley's offers eat in and takeaway meals and is a very popular destination, both for residents and visitors. The owner of the fish and chip shop is incredibly proud to have once graced our TV screens with Cilla Black, as you can see by the pictures that adorn the walls of the award-winning establishment.

Getting around

Just as with the majority of London there are a number of transport options for Herne Hill residents that allow them to access the greater London area with relative ease. There is a train station in Herne Hill - around which properties become a bit more expensive - as well as five other Zone 2 stations that cover a large area of the city.

Buses are also an option for those living in the area, although roads do tend to get a bit busy heading into the city, which can increase a commute time. However, local services are a good option for those that do not live within walking distance of a station.

With the variety of transport options available, it is also easy for those wishing to take a trip out of the city at a weekend. This opens up a greater number of options for activities and places to visit.

 

Published 27th August, 2013

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