Whether it’s an independent coffee spot, a microbrewery or a record shop, there are a few ways to identify an increasingly trendy area.
Tucked away between Crystal Palace and Anerley, Penge in South London was shaped as a Victorian suburb after the railways were built.
Fast forward to 2025, though, and it’s one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK.
It’s notably cheaper than its slightly bougier neighbour (to the tune of almost £20,000), making it a solid choice for those wanting to soak up the vibes of Crystal Palace without shelling out quite to the same extent.
Earlier this year, Penge even made it onto The Sunday Times’ list of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK, recommended for ‘under-the-radar Londoners’ for its abundance of independent coffee shops, flourishing high street, and rooftop art gallery.
So, if you’re looking for new digs with plenty of character that have a trendy vibe with a slightly lower spending requirement, Penge could be the one.
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House prices in Penge
Penge might increasingly cool, but the house prices aren’t necessarily super affordable.
While the UK average currently rests at £268,400, the going rate in SE20 over the last year has been £455,689 – almost £200,000 more expensive. Ouch.
However, there’s some respite to be found in the fact that it’s a little cheaper than its undoubtedly bougie neighbour, Crystal Palace, where properties over the last year have sold for around £474,802.
So, if you’re willing to live a seven-minute drive down the road, you could be saving yourself almost £20,000. It’s all roughly the same, right?
When it comes to renting, nearby Anerley was recently named the cheapest London station to live near, with average costs for tenants coming in at £1,400 per month.
Yes, it’s zone 4, but it’s only 32 minutes from central London, located along the Windrush Line and connected to London Bridge.
It also fares relatively well compared to the rest of the capital, as average rents come in at £2,235 per month, according to the ONS.
Things to do in Penge
If a coffee, a pastry and a walk is your idea of heaven, Penge could be just the ticket. There are flat whites aplenty to be found at Brown & Green Life, Mabel, and Carnival Coffee Roasters.
Chatsworth Bakehouse famously serves up focaccia, cheesecake, buns, and pizza, and it was even hailed by TikToker @kristabelplummer as having the ‘best sandwiches in London.’
Thirsty for a pint? Grab yourself a tipple at local watering holes The Alexandra, Southey Brewing, and the Goldsmiths Arms.
A little further afield, Gipsy Hill Brewing Company is a favourite among southeast Londoners, set in an industrial estate.
And if you’re a fan of a market, Crystal Palace Park Market is held every Sunday, while Maple Road Market hosts local food, as well as arts and crafts stalls, vintage traders, and even face painting for the little ones.
What locals are saying about Penge
Locals are completely enamoured with Penge, and over on the r/London Subreddit, @tatilujanr previously described it as ‘very peaceful.’
‘Penge is SUCH an underrated area,’ @ooft54 added, noting that they’re ‘torn between wanting to shout about how good it is and keeping it a secret.’
@CautiousSir9457 lives between Sydenham and Penge, and adores it as it has ‘plenty of parks and independent shops, but [it’s] not too hipster-y.’
‘As someone who lived in many different parts of London over the years, that corner of SE was by far my favourite and definitely where I’d choose to live again,’ @Even_Pitch221 added, joking that before the ‘tentacles of gentrification’ crept in Penge was deemed as having ‘no glamour’ and being ‘deeply unfashionable.’
Transport links in Penge
Don’t let South London-haters convince you that it’s a poorly connected area just because there isn’t a Tube station: Penge has plenty of transport links going on.
Penge East is connected to the Southeastern train service, with the service to Victoria taking 18 minutes (or five stops).
Penge West is also on the Windrush Line and is 20 minutes (or seven stops) from Canada Water. Not too shabby, hey?
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