Location
Brixton is an inner-city area of London, four miles to the south of Charing Cross. For most of the twentieth century it was regarded as a rather run-down area, but more recently the process of gentrification has begun, as its reputation as a lively multi-cultural area has attracted a new breed of young urban professionals.
History
A Roman settlement has been excavated on Brixton Hill, but until the nineteenth century Brixton was mainly agricultural land with a few small hamlets. All that changed when it became accessible from central London via the newly-built railway line. It developed as a middle-class suburb, with the construction of streets lined with large Victorian villas. In the twentieth century, many of these large houses were converted for multiple occupation, and Brixton began its next phase, as a cheap area to live.
Community
Migrants began arriving in Brixton in numbers after the Second World War, when Caribbeans of the Windrush generation settled here. More recently people from the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia have made it their home; and it is popular as a temporary home for young people from Australasia.
Property
Compared to other districts within easy reach of central London, Brixton is still relatively affordable, but rents and property prices have risen substantially in recent years, and continue to rise steadily. Much of the available property is still in converted Victorian houses. Brixton has traditionally been favoured as a convenient place to live by West End performers, which helps to explain its lively atmosphere.
Transport
Getting around by public transport is easy in this part of London. The underground station is only four stops away from Victoria mainline station, and there are overground rail connections to Gatwick Airport and many other destinations in Southern England. There are good bus services, including night buses, to other parts of London.
Shopping
You can find all the usual chains and outlets in Brixton, and also one of the few remaining London independent department stores, Morley's on Brixton Road. But the best part of shopping in Brixton is undoubtedly the market. Open every day, it's not aimed at tourists like Camden, or foodies like Borough; it's a real working market with keenly priced fruit, vegetables, fish and meat from all over the world, as well as clothing and household goods.
Entertainment
There is a lively music scene in Brixton, from the nationally-known Brixton Academy, which hosts many styles of contemporary music, to many smaller pubs and clubs offering Latin, Caribbean, and other genres. The Ritzy Cinema offers both mainstream and art-house cinema, and you can eat and drink there too.
Food
Brixton is a good place to eat out. At night the Covered Market hosts Brixton Village, a collection of over twenty international eating places with an informal and cosmopolitan feel. Around the central area there is a huge choice of cuisine, with sit-down and take-away restaurants featuring food from all round the world.
Brixton is an inner-city area of London, four miles to the south of Charing Cross. For most of the twentieth century it was regarded as a rather run-down area, but more recently the process of gentrification has begun, as its reputation as a lively multi-cultural area has attracted a new breed of young urban professionals.
History
A Roman settlement has been excavated on Brixton Hill, but until the nineteenth century Brixton was mainly agricultural land with a few small hamlets. All that changed when it became accessible from central London via the newly-built railway line. It developed as a middle-class suburb, with the construction of streets lined with large Victorian villas. In the twentieth century, many of these large houses were converted for multiple occupation, and Brixton began its next phase, as a cheap area to live.
Community
Migrants began arriving in Brixton in numbers after the Second World War, when Caribbeans of the Windrush generation settled here. More recently people from the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia have made it their home; and it is popular as a temporary home for young people from Australasia.
Property
Compared to other districts within easy reach of central London, Brixton is still relatively affordable, but rents and property prices have risen substantially in recent years, and continue to rise steadily. Much of the available property is still in converted Victorian houses. Brixton has traditionally been favoured as a convenient place to live by West End performers, which helps to explain its lively atmosphere.
Transport
Getting around by public transport is easy in this part of London. The underground station is only four stops away from Victoria mainline station, and there are overground rail connections to Gatwick Airport and many other destinations in Southern England. There are good bus services, including night buses, to other parts of London.
Shopping
You can find all the usual chains and outlets in Brixton, and also one of the few remaining London independent department stores, Morley's on Brixton Road. But the best part of shopping in Brixton is undoubtedly the market. Open every day, it's not aimed at tourists like Camden, or foodies like Borough; it's a real working market with keenly priced fruit, vegetables, fish and meat from all over the world, as well as clothing and household goods.
Entertainment
There is a lively music scene in Brixton, from the nationally-known Brixton Academy, which hosts many styles of contemporary music, to many smaller pubs and clubs offering Latin, Caribbean, and other genres. The Ritzy Cinema offers both mainstream and art-house cinema, and you can eat and drink there too.
Food
Brixton is a good place to eat out. At night the Covered Market hosts Brixton Village, a collection of over twenty international eating places with an informal and cosmopolitan feel. Around the central area there is a huge choice of cuisine, with sit-down and take-away restaurants featuring food from all round the world.
About the Author:
Considering a move to South London? Are you searching for properties for rent in Brixton? Get the inside scoop on the past about Brixton, and learn more on House Bulletin blog.