Where did Sir Walter Raleigh lay down his cape for Queen Elizabeth? Deptford. Where was Christopher Marlowe murdered in a drunken pub brawl? Deptford. And where gets a mention in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales? You’ve guessed it: Deptford.
Historically significant and bustling with life, Deptford (or DeepFord as it was once known) was originally a major shipbuilding dock. It is now characterised by a thriving high street, huge council estates, Vietnamese restaurants and a busy market place. It is rapidly becoming South London’s answer to Shoreditch, with thriving arts and music scene, bolstered by a healthy student population with colleges including Goldsmiths, University of Greenwich, Bellerbys, and Trinity Laban Dance all residing in the area.
Deptford Market is known as London’s liveliest street market and runs from 9.00am to 5.30pm Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. It is chaotic and ungentrified, and sells bric-a-brac, fresh fish, fruit, veg, and food from all corners of the world.
Deptford is full of sass and energy and not for the faint-hearted. Past survivors include John Evelyn, Squeeze, and Dire Straits.
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The Albany Theatre is a community arts space championing voices outside the mainstream. It hosts a varied programme of workshops spanning drama, dance, music, and even community gardening.
There are also multiple opportunities to get involved at the world-renowned dance centre, Trinity Laban. Also known as London’s Creative Conservatoire, it offers open classes to anyone over 16 for ballet, contemporary or street dance, as well as concerts of dance, guitar, and classical music.
Take a trip to Deptford Cinema for a unique experience. It’s a community-run, not-for-profit cinema, art gallery, and music venue. You won’t find blockbusters here, just a thought-provoking programme of films lovingly curated by cinephiles who give their time for free.
Deptford’s Art in Perpetuity Trust supports local visual artists by providing studio and exhibition space, so why not pop in and take in some art?
South London sausage aficionado Martin Heap has recently opened Heap’s Deli-Diner. Buy freshly made sausages, plus British charcuterie and bacon sliced to order at the counter, or enjoy all-day breakfast, brunch, gourmet hot dogs, and more at the diner.
Next door is Stockton, a cafe, kitchen and late-night cocktail bar serving seasonal modern European small plates. And if you like Stockton, you’ll love Jamaican bar and kitchen Buster Mantis, brought to you by the same team. They showcase the work of local artists, serving up local beers and legendary rum punch. Expect live music on Wednesdays and late nights on Fridays and Saturdays with dancehall, R&B, garage, and hip hop until 2am.
Marcella is Deptford’s ritzy neighbourhood trattoria and sister restaurant to Peckham’s beloved Artusi. Come here for simple, delicious food and drink, seasonal and British produce, and a mouthwatering Italian wine list.
Pho Hanoi is the best Vietnamese restaurant on the block. Don’t miss the chilli and garlic prawns.
The Brookmill Pub has massive windows and bare brick walls. Come here for local beers, cocktails, and a seasonal menu. Perfect for a post-park pint as it’s opposite Brookmill Park.
For a touch of retro kitsch, head to iconic Little Nan’s Bar. Fitted out like a retro living room and serving cocktails in teapots, Little Nan’s Bar is the proud winner of four Time Out London awards. They have a list of over 70 cocktails, including the Lady Bet Lynch and the Sexy Frank Butcher, as well as serving afternoon tea and boozy bottomless brunch.
National Rail: Deptford station has trains to Cannon Street (15 minutes) passing through London Bridge (nine minutes).
Docklands Light Railway: Deptford Bridge on the Docklands Light Railway is seven stops from Heron Quays, a few minutes’ walk from Canary Wharf.
Buses: Buses run North towards the city via Rotherhithe, New Cross and Peckham, East towards Thamesmead via Charlton and South to Lewisham.
Cycling: Deptford is on a Quietway, a network of cycleways opening across London that aim to get more people walking and cycling in the capital. The route goes between Greenwich and Waterloo Bridge.
Wavelengths Leisure Centre offers gym, swimming, and fitness studios with memberships from £39.95 per month.
Kindred Yoga is a community yoga centre with a full and varied timetable offering drop-in classes from £13 or unlimited monthly classes for £110.
The Yoga Room has an equally busy timetable and offers drop-in classes for £12 or unlimited classes for £110 per month.
Or get your wellies on and have a tramp along Deptford Creek.
A room in a shared house is from around £500 per month. Studio flats start at around £950 per month with two-bedroom flats from around £1,300 per month.
The Albany. Little Nan’s Bar. Deptford Cinema. Deptford Market.
It’s right next to the busy A2 and could do with more green space.
Considering other areas? Check out our Actor’s London guides:
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