Walworth: A little gem within an urban setting

Walworth is an inner-city district located in the London borough of Southwark. It has a rich and varied history that dates back to ancient times, and is something of a 'magical kingdom' once you look beyond the ordinary buildings and retail complexes.

The area is quite close to Charing Cross, Camberwell and Elephant and Castle, which both have easy access to a number of different shops, entertainment venues, restaurants and nightclubs.

Southwark is also an ideal borough to live in for young families, due to the close proximity of schools and universities in the area.

Some of the main streets in Walworth include Old Kent Road - probably the most famous in London- and New Kent Road, as well as Walworth Road.

All of these provide transport links to other areas of the city. These are also the areas with a high concentration of residential housing.

But in and amongst all of the urban hustle and bustle you have little gems such as old Victorian buildings, that have survived all of the developments that have occurred over the years, quaint little street markets and incredibly good educational facilities.

What more could you ask for?

History

You would be surprised at some of the history associated with the area. Few people are aware for example that the bones and teeth of a prehistoric Woolly Mammoth were found under Hillingdon Street, just off the Walworth Road.

Some 4,500 years ago, it was a stone-age settlement, and some historians claim that it was a centre for tool-making at the time.

Walworth also appears in  the Domesday Book of 1086 as Waleorde and its name is thought to be derived from the Old English "Wealhworth" which meant Welsh farm. 

The area is also home to the Pullens buildings - a mixture of Victorian offices and residential spaces and yards. 

Throughout its long and ancient history, it has witnessed the construction of both Roman and Anglo-Saxon settlements.

It was formerly the property of the Anglo-Saxon King, Edmund, from 934 to 946, before being passed on to different figureheads, until it came under the ownership of the church.

Many parts of the city are in fact, still owned by the church, including Liverpool Grove.
It started out as a small village, before blossoming into the thriving metropolitan hub that it is today.

Properties

The area is comprised of many brick buildings, Victorian architecture and unobtrusive flat buildings.

Rental properties in the area are slightly cheaper than many other parts of London, and a decent two-bedroom terrace can be picked up for as little as £380 per week.

Flat rentals are slightly cheaper and come in at between £280-£850 per week.

To buy a home, will probably set you back at around £425,000 for a new-build terrace, and £250,000 for a one-bed flat.

Schools

Schools in the area are generally of a high standard, with the St John's Walworth CofE, Keyworth, John Ruskin and Michael Faraday primary schools all rated as 'outstanding' by Ofsted.

The main secondary schools in the area are Notre Dame RC Girls and St Saviour's & St Olave's CofE, which have had an 'outstanding' rating from Ofsted.

There is also the Globe Academy, which is 'good', according to Ofsted.

Regeneration

Walworth has been subject to many redevelopment projects over the years and some are still ongoing.

This is especially the case in the Elephant and Castle area, which is not the most inspiring place in the district, but it is currently undergoing many changes which will see some improvements made to it. This is set to include the proposed demolition of the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, plans to demolish some of the estates within Walworth and the newly built Strata tower.

Transport

The area is served by both the Bakerloo and Northern underground lines, which can get you into the West End in as little as 15 minutes.

You can also get underground trains to other parts of London. The buses in the area will also connect you to just about any part of the capital that you can think of. 

Published 9th May, 2014

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