Summary
If there is one location in London that immediately evokes the capital’s Afro-Caribbean community, it is Brixton.
Historically, like many working-class areas in London, Brixton had a certain edge, which gained heightened notoriety in April 1981 when it became the site of a riot fueled by social inequality and unemployment.
Conversely, Brixton has consistently been regarded as a vibrant and creative hub, characterized by a rich diversity and a lively atmosphere, complete with some of the finest live music venues and nightlife options in London.
Its proximity to central London has catalyzed considerable regeneration over the past two decades.
Consequently, trendy art house cinemas, craft beer establishments, and innovative bars coexist alongside exotic markets and artisanal studios.
Let us delve into the most engaging activities in Brixton:
1. Brockwell Park
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Located at the confluence of South Brixton, Herne Hill, and Tulse Hill, this elegant Victorian park has retained its 19th-century layout.
Brockwell Park is situated on elevated ground and offers picturesque views of the London skyline.
This area was originally a manor, and at its highest elevation stands the Georgian Brockwell Hall, which contains the park’s café on the ground floor.
The park boasts extensive amenities, including a large playground, a paddling pool, a miniature railway for children, various sports facilities, and three duck ponds.
The walled garden features delightful arrangements of herbs and flowers, and nearby is a charming model village dating back to 1943. Numerous outdoor events take place during the summer months at Brockwell Park, with the highlight being the Lambeth Country Show in July, which showcases live music, processions, dance performances, a petting zoo, international cuisine, a flower exhibition, and an eco-market.
2. Brixton Market
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Brixton Market provides an authentic London experience, operating seven days a week from 08:00 to 19:00. The market is primarily located along the pedestrianized Electric Avenue but extends into adjacent arcades established in the 1920s and 1930s, providing permanent spaces for vendors.
These covered arcades include the Reliance Arcade, Market Row, and Brixton Village.
For much of the late 20th century, Brixton Market was synonymous with West Indian cuisine, fresh produce, and textiles.
Although the Afro-Caribbean community remains prominent, the market now features a broader international array of over 130 independent vendors.
Visitors can find a range of items including fresh fish, meat, art, handicrafts, vinyl records, antiques, and handcrafted cookware.
The culinary offerings are remarkable, with tantalizing options such as tacos, Portuguese grilled chicken, Moroccan tagines, Ethiopian stews, and a variety of spicy Caribbean dishes.
3. Electric Avenue
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Electric Avenue is vibrant, filled with the sights, sounds, and aromas of Brixton Market.
This memorable street derives its unique name from its historic status as the first market street in the 1880s to be illuminated with electric lights.
Originally, these lights were suspended from a continuous glass canopy along the shopfronts, but this feature was damaged during World War II and subsequently removed.
Electric Avenue is also the title of a song by Eddy Grant about the Brixton Riots, which gained international acclaim.
In 2016, Eddy Grant returned to unveil a prominent ‘Electric Avenue’ sign as part of a £1 million revitalization project for the street.
4. Brixton Academy
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As one of London’s leading live music venues, the Brixton Academy, with a capacity of 4,921, has hosted an impressive lineup of musical talent since its inception in 1983. Originally, this site functioned as Astoria Cinema, completed in 1929. Despite certain modifications made during its conversion in the 1970s, many of its original neo-Renaissance architectural features, such as the proscenium arch, false loggia, balustrade, and Corinthian columns, remain visible.
Recognized rock acts ranging from The Clash to the White Stripes, Bob Dylan, and the Sex Pistols have graced this stage.
New Order, Pixies, and numerous others have recorded live albums here, while The Smiths performed their final concert at this venue in 1986. It is advisable to check the event calendar and plan accordingly to experience a performance from your preferred artist.
5. Brixton Murals
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In the aftermath of the riots in 1982, increased attention was directed towards Brixton’s socio-economic challenges and the community’s need for representation.
In response, Lambeth Council commissioned a remarkable array of murals created by local artists.
These murals, among the largest in London, have largely been preserved and undergo restoration every few years.
They are marked on Google Maps, enabling visitors to embark on a tour that reflects Brixton’s relatively recent history.
On Stockwell Park Walk, you can see the Brixton Academy Mural, showcasing youth from diverse backgrounds enjoying life, or the Brixton Railway Station Murals, illustrating the vibrancy and chaos of Brixton Market during the 1980s.
Another mural, titled Nuclear Dawn, located on Coldharbour Lane, features a skeleton alongside imagery of London amid a nuclear explosion.
6. Windrush Square
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This open area, located in front of the Brixton Tate Library, carries significant historical value for the UK’s Afro-Caribbean community.
The HMT Empire Windrush refers to the vessel that transported the first immigrants from the Caribbean to the UK in 1948. Upon arrival, they were provided temporary accommodation just a short walk away on Coldharbour Lane.
On the square’s eastern boundary stands the Black Cultural Archives, housed within the restored former Raleigh Hall, a striking Georgian townhouse that was long abandoned before its renovation in the 2010s.
Here, visitors can explore temporary exhibitions detailing the Black British experience and notable figures in Black British history.
7. Dining
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Brixton’s culinary scene epitomizes the essence of 21st-century London, showcasing an extensive variety of international cuisines that might overwhelm and delight visitors simultaneously.
Notable destinations include Brixton Village, which shall be discussed momentarily, and Pop Brixton, a contemporary dining venue featuring eateries housed within shipping containers.
Given Brixton’s cultural heritage, it is essential to highlight West Indian cuisine, with eateries such as Fish, Wings and Tings and Bamboula excelling in dishes like curry goat, saltfish, and jerk chicken.
Moreover, artisan burger shops like Dirty Burger and Honest Burgers, along with tapas and pintxos venues such as the Donostia Social Club and Boqueria, should not be overlooked.
Franco Manca serves Neapolitan-style thin pizza, while numerous affordable Asian dining options are available, such as KaoSarn, Koi Ramen Bar, and Kricket, which offer a modern interpretation of beloved Indian specialties like pakoras.
8. Brixton Village
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Previously known as the Granville Arcade, Brixton Village is part of Brixton Market.
Situated off Coldharbour Lane, this arcade dates back to 1937 and contains a series of two-storey shopping pathways referred to as “avenues,” along with the adjacent Market Row.
Brixton Village has evolved into a notable destination for international cuisine, representing the diverse local communities.
Patrons can enjoy jerk chicken, jollof rice, ramen, curry, or tapas while browsing through shops offering vintage clothing, fabrics, charcuterie, cheese, handicrafts, and even traditional Chinese medicine.
9. Going Out
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Brixton has long been recognized for its dynamic nightlife and has emerged since the 1990s as one of London’s ideal locations for evening entertainment.
The area is home to numerous pubs and bars, ranging from chic cocktail lounges to traditional establishments, in addition to modern pubs featuring extensive craft beer selections and delectable food offerings, such as fried chicken.
Highlights include Crown & Anchor, Commercial, Florence, Blinder, and Naughty Piglets.
First Aid Box in Herne Hill, known for its unique pharmacy theme, delights visitors with cocktails served in syringe-like vessels.
Brixton’s clubbing landscape reflects its diversity and vibrancy.
While many legendary nightclubs, such as the Fridge, have come and gone, Dogstar on Coldharbour Lane remains a popular venue for an assortment of music styles, from reggae to house.
Brixton is also home to The Torture Garden, recognized as the world’s largest fetish club.
10. Ritzy Cinema
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Brixton is home to one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas in England.
This prominent establishment, featuring an impressive neo-Baroque façade, opened as the “Electric Pavilion” in 1911. Very few cinemas from this era in England continue to serve their original purpose, and in 2009, the Ritzy underwent an interior restoration to return it to its original exuberant style.
Managed by Picturehouse, the cinema is renowned for showcasing independent and international films, alongside mainstream Hollywood releases.
The top floor, known as “Upstairs at the Ritzy,” has evolved into a venue for live music and comedy, while the ground floor features a bar and café with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Brixton Oval.
11. Ashby’s Mill
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This windmill, located near Brixton Prison, was constructed in 1816, initially situated amidst the open Surrey countryside.
The windmill operated as a flour mill from 1816 until 1862, at which point its sails were dismantled and it transitioned to serving as a storehouse.
Later, the mill was revived utilizing steam power and gas engines, supplying wholemeal flour to many prestigious West End hotels and restaurants.
In 2003, a restoration campaign was initiated, culminating in successful completion in 2011. Free guided tours of the mill are available from March to October, offering insights into its internal mechanisms, including the 1902 steam-powered millstone.
12. The Oval
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Located just a short bus or tube ride north lies one of cricket’s most storied venues.
The Oval has served as the home ground for the Surrey County Cricket Club since 1845 and can accommodate 25,500 spectators, making it one of the oldest sporting stadiums worldwide that remain in operation.
Additionally, The Oval has traditionally hosted the final international test match of the English cricket season since the 19th century, featuring matches involving major cricketing nations such as Australia, South Africa, India, or Pakistan.
Throughout the summer, Surrey conducts first-class county matches along with limited-overs matches at The Oval.
England also plays at least two One Day Internationals here each summer, which appeal to those unfamiliar with the sport, as these matches tend to be quicker-paced and less tactical.
13. Stockwell Skate Park
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Affectionately referred to as “Brixton Beach,” this expansive concrete skate park enjoys an international reputation and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018. Fronting modern housing developments and Victorian terraces, the park is adorned with vibrant graffiti and street art, making it a popular destination for skateboarders, rollerskaters, BMX riders, photographers, and social gatherings.
Its surface has been resurfaced multiple times since its establishment in 1978, and the park has become such an integral part of Brixton that it has been designated as an Asset of Community Value.
14. Hope and Anchor Pub
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This pub earns a spot in our list due to its standout feature: The Hope and Anchor boasts one of the finest pub gardens in London.
This outdoor space has a tropical ambiance, accentuated by palms, fairy lights, tuk-tuks, and decking, with 13 sociable tiki-style beach huts.
These huts are equipped with heating, a much-appreciated feature during winter, and have their own television screens.
During the summer months, outdoor barbecues and Cuban-style mojito nights are popular events, in addition to offering a large screen for major sports events such as the Euros and World Cup.
15. Brockwell Lido
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Lidos, or outdoor swimming pools, rose to popularity in the 1920s and 30s, emerging within parks throughout the capital.
While many closed by the end of the century, a select few have been revitalized.
Brockwell Lido, located on the northern edge of Brockwell Park, first opened its doors in 1937. It underwent refurbishment in the 2000s with assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and is now a Grade II-listed monument featuring elegant Art Deco architecture.
The 50-meter pool operates year-round, offering access from morning until night, along with a hydro spa, sauna, and steam room.
During summer evenings, the Luna Cinema hosts movie screenings on the water, adding to the lido’s appeal.
