Acton

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

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.

Lee River Valley & Waltham Abbey

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 & Hampton

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

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.

Charlton

Charlton is a window to the past of East London. It's full of industrial sites and old factories right by the Thames. There are also some modern buildings built quite recently. That seems to be the first sign of turning the old industrial area into a residential one. There are not many interesting things here, but if you're a friend of industrial architecture, you might just find something that tickles your fancy.

Bow

Bow is a great small neighbourhood next to Victoria Park and Hackney Wick. It's not as cool as Hackney Wick and not as beautiful as Victoria Park, but it has more than enough of nice places in a very English-looking Victorian atmosphere. This place has relaxed atmosphere close to the coolest places of Hackney. The area itself has mainly residential houses and not much action, but there are a few exceptions that make this quiet neighbourhood very pleasant indeed.

Walthamstow

Walthamstow is mainly known to the masses for the boyband named after the post code, East 17. The village is a mixture of picturesque old village houses and soulless suburbs. The scenery may change completely just walking around a corner. There are some nice pubs and parks here and sometimes it's straight out charming. Then again, the areas around the shopping centre are much more grim.

Poplar & Leamouth

Poplar is one of the poorest areas in London. This island of poverty makes Tower Hamlets one of the poorest Boroughs in London, despite its proximity to City and despite the financial district Isle of Dogs being located within the borders of Tower Hamlets. The architecture is mostly grim and brutal. Council flats are starting to get company from ultra modern sky-scrapers and luxury apartments. This mixture of poverty and modernism makes this area interesting for an architecture appreciator. Leamouth peninsula right next to Poplar is showing some signs of artistic atmosphere.

Camberwell

Like many other places in South London, in Camberwell, wealthy and poor areas stand right next to each other and the differences are huge. Walking across one street may take you into completely different neighbourhood. There are some nice parks, pubs and cafés in this area. It's still going through its gentrification, so it may be a bit rough around the edges, but that only makes the place more interesting. I'm guessing this place will see some more interesting places very shortly.

Barnet

Barnet is a North London idyllic country village. There are old countryhouses, parks, churches small cozy pubs and cafés. Dr. Livingstone used to live here after his first trip to Africa. This is a great place to escape the crowds of Central London for a stroll on the countryside.

Enfield

Enfield is a village of contrasts. There are beautiful country pubs, rich people's houses, golf course and country roads. Then again, there's also a bit of visible poverty, which manifests as cheap-value shopping areas and dodgy pubs on the main street. There's a feel of being out of London here, which can be nice if you're tired of crowds.

Clapham

Clapham seems wealthier than its neighboring Brixton, but the atmosphere has some similarities. Nice pubs, parks and restaurants. There aren't that many sights in Clapham, but there are nice places to visit. This is a nice residential area close to Brixton's nightlife, where you can also enjoy the nature.

Fulham

Fulham is a lot shabbier than it's neighboring Chelsea, although some fancier areas can be found near Fulham Palace. Rows of regular London houses and few pubs here and there. The proximity of the Thames gives it a good location, when it comes to jogging. Fulham has a suburban feel even though it's quite close to the city centre.

Kew

Kew is a nice, but very upper class neighbourhood close to Richmond. The area is mostly known for enormous botanical gardens, but the small village around it is nice and worth a visit. When I visited here, there were stalls on the street selling delicious pastries, flowers etc. They also had a few nice looking cafés and restaurants.