Herne Hill has an above average violent crime rate and an above average property crime rate for London.
Herne Hill is a family-friendly neighborhood that is a popular destination for first time home buyers. It has a vibrant community, but is quiet at night – perfect for people who need their beauty sleep. It offers a good selection of both newer and older properties and it also has a lot of larger homes.
Many of these homes are classic red brick houses with big rooms and multiple floors. There are apartments as well, most of which have been converted from houses. There is always a healthy market for rentals, which keeps the prices on the lower side.
Herne Hill has a large variety of shops here, most of which are independently owned. Restaurants range from chains and coffee shops to unique spots with great food. Olley’s fish and chips restaurant is the most famous in the area, bringing in locals and tourists alike. For the kids, there are a ton of activities on any given weekend, and for the adults there are some great art galleries and pub options. Herne Hill Market is a weekly tradition that with vendors selling art, gadgets, homewares, and fresh produce.
Another reason families love Herne Hill so much is that it has one of London’s public outdoor swimming pools. It does get a bit crowded, but it's a great respite from the summer heat. I's located in Brockwell Park, which has 125 acres (51 hectares) of picnic space, a miniature railway, sports facilities, a BMX track, and gardens galore. For avid cyclists, Herne Hill is also home to the 1948 Olympic's velodrome, which is open to the public.
While many residents here do choose to have cars, there are a great public transportation options.
Herne Hill is bordered on the north by Camberwell, on the east by East Dulwich, on the south by Dulwich, and on the west by Brixton.
Commute:
The City: 4.7 miles / 25-55 minutes by car / 35-40 minutes by transit / 30-35 minutes by bike
Canary Wharf: 7.5 miles / 30-55 minutes by car / 50-60 minutes by transit
Southwark: 4.4 miles / 25-45 minutes by car / 35-45 minutes by transit / 25-30 minutes by bike
Westminster: 4.7 miles / 20-50 minutes by car / 30-40 minutes by transit / 25-30 minutes by bike
Shoreditch: 6 miles / 30-70 minutes by car / 50 minutes by transit
Photo Credits: Thanks to @Andy Broomfield, @Jamie Koster, @Edward Tenny, @Austin O'Hara, @Paul Wilkinson, @Sanne, @Victoria Watts, @Tetramesh, @Sarah Fulford, @frandekamp, @King, @nstandsforenergy for your great photos of this neighborhood!