Cockfosters is of course a good place to have a laugh next to the tube sign with a funny name, but this area is way more than that. The centre of Cockfosters is not that special. Some cafés, shops and office buildings next to a busy street. What's worth visiting though, is the huge nature area around Trent Park.
Homerton is a quiet and fairly deprived neighbourhood in East London between Hackney's cool areas and Stratford's shopping centres. For a long time, this was a place that didn't seduce crowds from anywhere else, but lately this place has joined its neighbours by hosting great pubs and restaurants. It may not be that cool yet, but it's an area with fantastic pubs where there's still room to hang out with your friends.Go now, before it's too late!
Tottenham is one of the most deprived areas of London, but there are now some signs that this is about to change. Some cool bars and restaurants are appearing in the otherwise Poundland-style areas. Tottenham is still mainly filled with Eastern European and Afro-Caribbean communities, but some artistic young people and students have moved here in search of cheaper rent. It's a large area with different parts, so whatever description will probably be just a generalisation.
West London is usually quite prosperous, so the few exceptions really do seem very different from their surroundings. Acton is one of those poor areas. It's mainly populated by Eastern European and Afro-Caribbean communities which can be seen in the amount of Polish shops and Carribean chicken fast food joints. Acton isn't very cool in any meaning of the word, but there are a couple of places worth visiting here.
Dulwich is a relaxed park-filled area in South London. It's full of parks, small cafés and restaurants and child friendly atmosphere. This place seems to be a kind of place where many Londoners decide to raise their kids. Dulwich has that kind of village atmosphere that makes you forget you're actually in London.
Waltham Abbey is not strictly in London. It's just barely in Essex. This little village has an old medieval church and a cute village main street. Right next to it, this time actually in London, is the Lee River Valley, which is one of the greatest nature areas in greater London.
Kingston is the furthest corner in the South-West London. The area around the train station is a bit ugly with all the post-war buildings, but once you get to the riverfront, there are some beautiful old buildings and nice riverside pubs and restaurants. On the other side of Bushy Park, there is the grandest of London's royal palaces, Hampton Court Palace, the home of Henry VIII.
Chiswick is one of the fanciest areas in London. Fancy cars, huge houses, designed parks and fine dining. Still, there are reasons to come here even with a budget. There are some excellent pubs on the riverside and some beautiful parks in the area. Remember to dress up if you want to fit in though. The riverside is great for running.
