When I mention that I live in Peckham Rye people have one of two reactions: “Wow, cool!” or “Um, isn’t it scary?”

“Oh no,” I say, “it’s fantastic.” It’s art students and artists, children of all ages, mums and grandmothers, quirky streets and stunning parks, as well as a delightful yet real community.

It’s also really close to the centre of London thanks to the new overground (ssshhh) and somewhere you could easily while away an afternoon sampling the plethora of perfect eating and drinking establishments.

Head to Café 67 for excellent Kiwi coffee, brunch, lunch or dinner (big queues on the weekend). The Crooked Well is a spendid pub on Grove Lane and has a great cocktail and wine list as well as a delicious menu (dog friendly too).

Bellenden Road Village has an award-winning butcher, Flock and Herd, plus a new deli-come-modern-grocer called General Store. You’ll also find a number of cafes and two gastro pubs, The Victoria and The Montpelier (also dog friendly), for more good food and beer.

Vintage clothing store, Threads, is well worth a look, as is excellent independent book store, Review. Then there’s Casa, who deal in architectural salvage.

Stroll down Rye Lane for a total immersion in African food and fashion, or pick the right weekend and you’ll find plenty of artist exhibitions, the Dulwich Festival and the infamous Hannah Barry Gallery.

What’s not to love?

Image courtesy of The Crooked Well