Moving to Bermondsey: what you need to know

From Victorian slum to ‘The best place to live in London 2018’ (Sunday Times, 2018), Bermondsey has undergone a huge transformation. Set in the most westerly point of the city, Bermondsey has a lot to offer new movers.

It’s a large borough of London, but all of the SE1 and SE16 postcodes here are desirable. The youthful and vibrant area attracts a wide variety of individuals. However, it predominantly attracts city workers, investors and professionals who are looking for an easy commute into work.

Whilst there are specific areas that are far more developed, the entire borough is a former shadow of its historical past. In fact, Charles Dickens was inspired by the poverty-stricken area, which became the basis of the pickpockets and beggars who make up the character cast of Oliver Twist. And now the area is full of suited and booted professionals!

 

Bermondsey: A brief history

Its contentious history begins with its name: many believe that the area was named after wealthy land owner called Beormund, but this is contested. What everyone can agree on, is that this area of London has been inhabited since the Roman period.

Like much of London, the area appears in the Domesday Book: recorded as home to a large Abbey which would later be closed during Henry VIII’s dissolution. The area then went on to become a popular spa town in the 1700’s thanks to the discovery of a natural spring.

During the 1800s and 1900’s the reputation of Bermondsey was less than favourable, and the area was rife with poverty and crime. But things have changed massively, specifically since the 1980’s. Now the area has benefited from mass regeneration, due in part to the close proximity of Bermondsey area to The City.

 

Bermondsey highlights

The area is awash with new things to discover. The tumultuous history and changing fortunes of the area has resulted in some exceedingly interesting places to explore and a real variety of architecture. From the historic building to repurposed warehouses and super sleek apartment blocks, just strolling around Bermondsey feels like an adventure.

Here are our Bermondsey highlights:
• Maltby Street – this ‘new’ Borough market has a great reputation for being home to exceptional artisanal coffee, and delicious food.
• Strolls along Southbank – from art galleries, to exhibitions, and world class music venues, Southbank has it all with a great view to boot.
• Food lover’s paradise – from Bermondsey street’s huge selection of restaurants, deli’s and café’s to the legendary Borough Market, food lovers will be in their element.

If you’re new to London or considering a move to the Bermondsey area, our Area Orientation Service is a personalised way of getting you familiar with the area. Our bespoke removals services make moving home stress free and exciting.

Things to do in Bermondsey

This really is a food lover’s paradise. In fact, there are almost too many great places to visit and eat to mention. But we’ve given it a good go, and narrowed it down to our absolute favourites:

• Bermondsey Street Coffee – for artisanal coffee in a quirky 80’s setting
• Garrison Public House – our favourite Gastropub, especially for bottomless brunch
• Kino – an independent cinema just off Bermondsey Street, perfect for film fans
• Bermondsey 167 – the best gift shop with loads of hidden gems
• The Southbank centre – for plays, gigs and recitals, nowhere beats it
• The Tate Modern – world famous home to some of the best art
• M.Manze – this is an institution, and home to the best pie and mash since 1902

 

Where to live in Bermondsey

The area has a wide variety of residential areas and property types. The most exclusive areas are found in parts of the ‘old city’, with homes along Bermondsey Street highly sought after. Homes around Maltby Street are also highly desired and therefore command higher prices.

For more affordable housing in Bermondsey, look to the Lower Tower Bridge Road and The Grange areas. As a general rule, the further south the property, the more affordable.

Homes in the borough sell from £500,00 to well over £2.5 million, which is more affordable than some of the other Zone 1 areas. The rental market is also quite competitive: with 1-bed rentals available from around £1800 a month, and a 4-bed costing an average of £3200 a month.

If you need to find a new home as part of your move, let us make things even easier with our House Search Service. Our experts match homes in your new area to your needs, creating the perfect shortlist. We save you time, stress, and hassle, making moving home easy for you.

 

Finding a school in Bermondsey, London

The borough benefits from some excellent education institutions. There are a great number of schools rated well by Ofsted.

The best rated primary schools:
St James CofE
St Joseph’s RC
Southwark Park
The Cathedal school of St Saviour
St Mary Overy
Boutcher

The top-rated secondary schools:
City of London Academy
St Michael’s Catholic College
Harris Academy Bermondsey
St Saviour’s
St Olave’s CofE

For those looking to pursue or work within higher education, the borough is within 30 minutes’ walk of 9 separate well respected universities. World famous Kings College London is actually just 18 minutes’ walk from central Bermondsey.

Are you moving to Bermondsey with family? Our School Search Service makes finding the perfect new schools easy: our experts find schools that match your family’s needs and help you through the application process. We make moving-house easy for you.

 

Bermondsey travel information

Location has been key to the recent success of the borough. Found in Zone 1, Bermondsey benefits from an excellent location, especially for people working in The City. Being just 10 minutes away from Canary Wharf, and 15 minutes from Bond Street, this is a hotly coveted location for city workers.

The area is serviced by Bermondsey tube station from which you can travel on the Jubilee line, and London Bridge tube station from which you can get either the Jubilee or Northern line. There is also the River Thames Clipper Services and the South Bermondsey rail line, as well as a good bus service.

 

How can Santa Fe Relocation help with your move to Bermondsey?

No matter whether you are moving too or from Bermondsey our network of experts will take care of every aspect of your move. Whatever you need, we have it covered: from secure storage solutions, packing services, to excellent shipment protection plans.

Whatever it is you need for the perfect Bermondsey home removal, we make it a reality. We are Santa Fe Relocation, your one stop London removals company. We make moving home easy for you.

 

 

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