South London

Battersea Park. Courtesy Wandsworth Council

South London is a cool and laid-back part of London. Here, you'll find some of the capital's best bars and music venues, as well as great gastro-pubs.

South East London includes well known areas such as Dulwich, Greenwich and Bromley . South West London includes Clapham, Brixton and Kingston.

Plus, South London incorporates lots of green space so check out one of the areas parks and gardens.

Take a look at our ideas for making the most of all that South London has to offer.

Things To See and Do in South London

The South of London has plenty of great cultural attractions for visitors, from museums to galleries.

Perfect for families, the Horniman Museum is free to enter and contains impressive permanent collections of anthropology, natural history and musical instruments. The Horniman Museum also has a small aquarium on its lower floor with jellyfish and seahorses among its residents!

Dulwich Picture Gallery is a beautiful building that houses one of the oldest and most important collections of European old master paintings in Great Britain. In addition to the permanent collection, there are regular temporary exhibitions.

If you fancy a pit-stop, the gallery features a lovely café. And don't leave without a look around Dulwich Picture Gallery's tranquil gardens.

For contemporary art, visit the South London Gallery. This small gallery features changing exhibitions and has previously displayed work by artists including Tracy Emin.

Top Entertainment in South London

South London has always been a hotbed of musical talent.

O2 Academy Brixton is a great place to see some of music's biggest acts and has hosted gigs by many top names including Amy Winehouse, James, Maximo Park and Paul Weller.

If you want to scout out up-and-coming bands, The Amersham Arms is a friendly pub in New Cross with a great stage area and a reputation for showcasing new music talent. Previous guests include Art Brut and Hot Chip.

But it's not just music, South London has plenty going on theatre-wise too.

For cutting-edge new writing, Theatre503, based above The Latchmere pub, is a fantastic fringe theatre. And for a lively programme of comedy, new writing and left-field theatre make sure you see something at Battersea Arts Centre.

If film's more your thing, try one of South London's independent cinemas. The Ritzy in Brixton has a funky café to hang out in before a movie. Or the Clapham Picture House has a lively bar – the perfect setting for a post-film analysis over a glass of wine.

South London Bars and Clubs

South West London has great nightlife, with plenty of late-night bars and clubs.

Clapham Common features several trendy bars, frequented by young professionals. For exotic cocktails try The People's Republic or Aquum.

You'll be treated to even more unique bars if you head on to Clapham Junction, including Babel or Bar Social. If you have a favourite chain pub or bar, you'll probably find it here as well.

Brixton is a buzzing place to be, day or night. Many of the bars have late licences to take you into the small hours. Why not try Mass – a music venue and club located within an active church. Or the Prince Albert, a spacious pub with a great beer garden at the back.

More about clubs and bars in Clapham and Brixton

For a more laid-back pub experience, why try Richmond riverside, where you can enjoy a beautiful waterfront view along with your drink.

Eating Out in South London

South London is the perfect place for laid-back dining. Family-friendly gastro-pubs have popped up all over the area, along with some tasty and affordable restaurants.

Lordship Lane in East Dulwich has several gastro-pubs to choose from, including The Palmerston. You could also try neighbouring Herne Hill or Clapham for more options. More about gastro-pubs.

You'll also find some restaurant gems in South London. Try Mela, an award-winning Indian restaurant in Herne Hill, and Upstairs in Brixton for an affordable yet chic venue. Or enjoy a taste of New York at the Broome & Delancey brasserie on Battersea Rise.

South London's Parks and Green Spaces

Brockwell Park. Copyright Britain on View

South London is very green with plenty of parks and gardens to explore.

One of the largest is Clapham Common. This vast green space is great for a stroll and hosts several events in the summer including Get Loaded in the Park.

The flat and grassy Blackheath is the ideal place to fly a kite. You can also pop into the nearby shops and pubs afterwards.

Brockwell Park is great for a summer day and boasts a BMX track, tennis courts, and a children's playground.

If you're feeling adventurous, Battersea Park is popular with rollerbladers. Or for a serene day out, try Dulwich Park with its lovely Pavilion Café.

Greenwich Park is London's oldest Royal Park and will also be a major Olympic venue at the 2012 Games.

Richmond Park is home to over 600 deer. It's also a great place for cycling, horse-riding, or even to take up power kiting with a qualified instructor.

More about London's green spaces