Forest Hill, a leafy suburb of Lewisham, is gaining attention for its independent shops, artsy vibe, and strong community feel. Located just down the road from East Dulwich and not far from Crystal Palace, it may not be as popular as Brixton or Clapham, but it has its own appeal. In 2024, The Sunday Times included it in their Best Places to Live list, describing it as 'charming' and praising the 'creative corner' of London for its 'jaw-dropping city panoramas'.
Cheaper rent and property prices
While Forest Hill lacks a Tube station, it offers more affordable rent compared to its neighbours. According to statistics from the renting site SpareRoom, the average cost of a room is £913. In contrast, East Dulwich averages £969, Herne Hill £984, and Brixton £986. Clapham is even more expensive at £1,093.
For buyers, property prices in Forest Hill are below the London average. Data from Rightmove shows that over the last year, the average home sold for £625,204. Flats averaged £411,341, while terraced homes were more expensive at £793,861. The average for London as a whole was £664,962, which is almost £40,000 (£39,758) more than Forest Hill.
Things to do in Forest Hill
The most famous landmark is the Horniman Museum, known for its collection of taxidermied animals, musical instruments, and other curiosities, including a Victorian-era Walrus. The museum grounds host a market with food stalls, ceramics, vinyl, jewelry, and grocers selling fresh local produce. With views over the city, it's a popular spot for lunch and people-watching. On certain weekends, the bandstand hosts events and celebrations.
The Kusuma Nature Play Area in the museum gardens requires no booking and features a climbing web, den building frame, timber balance beams, and log steps. For green space, Dulwich Park is nearby, offering a Saturday morning Parkrun and a boating lake with pedalos for hire. Sydenham Hill Wood, Blythe Hill Fields, and Dacres Wood, a designated nature reserve since 2005, are also close by.
Forest Hill Pools provides a pleasant swimming experience with several lane-separated pools. Independent businesses are abundant, including Better Things, known for its homeware and workshops like a Paint Your Own Charm offering. Krust, which opened in June, serves coffee and sweet treats such as the pistachio and chocolate croissant and a chocolatine.
Transport links
Despite the lack of Tube stations, Forest Hill is well-connected by buses and trains. It sits on the Windrush Line, running from Crystal Palace to Highbury and Islington, and is just 26 minutes from Hoxton. The Southern rail service goes directly to London Bridge in 14 minutes, passing through Honour Oak, Brockley, and New Cross Gate. Numerous buses serve the area, including the 185 to Victoria, the 176 to Tottenham Court Road, and the 197 to Peckham.
