Auction House London’s Area Guide to Herne Hill
Auction House London’s Area Guide to Herne Hill
At Auction House London, we offer a wide selection of residential and commercial properties for auction across London and the surrounding areas. Our expert team specialises in local market knowledge and regularly publishes London area guides like this one on Herne Hill to support buyers and investors in making smart property investment decisions.
This latest addition to the Auction House London series focuses on Herne Hill in south London on the boundary between the boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. The area has an interesting history as well as proximity to popular outdoor spaces, providing plenty of residential and commercial opportunities for investors in the area.
Where is Herne Hill?
Herne Hill is a district in south London, approximately four miles southeast of Charing Cross, with its area stretching across the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. The district is bordered by Dulwich Village and Brockwell Park to the south, Brixton to the north, and Tulse Hill and East Dulwich to the east and west respectively.
Herne Hill is a well-connected area for commuters, with the Herne Hill railway station providing Thameslink and Southeastern services to both London Blackfriars and London Victoria. There are also frequent bus routes serving nearby Brixton, Dulwich and central London.
The history of Herne Hill
Herne Hill emerged as a settlement in the 18th century, prior to which it was mostly farms and woodland. There are several potential sources for the Herne Hill name, such as a nearby hill apparently named La Herne around the 15th century, while two brothers surnamed Herne lived in the area at some point during the 17th century. There was also an old small river called the Effra, now almost completely culverted, which attracted many herons and thus may also be the source of the name.
Herne Hill expanded significantly after the arrival of the railway in 1862, prompting significant residential development. The area benefited from access to green spaces like Brockwell Park which opened to the public in the 1890s. During the Victorian and Edwardian eras, Herne Hill grew into a leafy, middle‑class suburb, and since then it has maintained its village atmosphere while becoming more diverse and culturally vibrant.
What does the architecture and property market look like in Herne Hill?
Herne Hill features attractive Victorian and Edwardian properties, with many now converted into flats. These classic homes sit alongside mid-20th century purpose-built apartments and newer infill developments. Tree‑lined streets and terraces lend a calm and residential feel to the area while recent years have seen investment into conservation areas and residential conversions increase, all of which attracts families, young professionals and downsizers.
Investment opportunities in Herne Hill include this first floor two bedroom flat on Crossthwaite Avenue, located close to local shops and amenities as well as the open spaces of Green Dale Field. Other opportunities include this eighth floor one bedroom flat in nearby Woolwich, to be offered in our August 2025 auction, as well as this lower ground floor basement area in neighbouring Lewisham.
What are the amenities like in Herne Hill?
Herne Hill offers a friendly, local high street with a mix of cafes, pubs and independent shops. The Brockwell Lido and Brockwell Park’s outdoor amenities include tennis courts and community garden.
There are quite a few local gastro-pubs and artisan bakeries around Herne Hill, as well as weekend food markets that really add to the area’s appeal. Locals can also enjoy plenty of community-oriented events, such as park-based summer fairs.
Open spaces in Herne Hill
The neighbourhood’s heart is Brockwell Park, a 50-hectare green space featuring formal gardens, sports fields and a skate park, as well as Brockwell Lido which is an iconic 1930s outdoor pool. Adjacent to the park is Brockwell Hall, which is used for regular community events and performances.
Smaller green areas include Herne Hill Recreation Ground and the Dulwich and Sydenham Hill Woods nearby. Such spaces offer residents and visitors plenty of places to walk, play and unwind.
What are the schools like in Herne Hill?
Herne Hill has quite a few good school options, including primary schools like Corpus Christi, Rosendale Primary, and St Saviour’s Church of England Primary. Secondary education is available at schools in neighbouring Dulwich and Brixton, including Kingsdale Foundation School and The Charter School North Dulwich.
Local nurseries and early years centres round out the family-friendly offering, making the area appealing to young families and professionals.