07.08.2023

Why Should You Move to Kennington?

Nestled into South London is the district of Kennington, a place right in the centre of the action without losing its quieter, village feeling. A well-established residential area, it has everything you need for day-to-day living, from local supermarkets, pubs and restaurants to key cultural venues, parks and – best of all – an excellent connection to London’s transport network. When you can get to exactly where you want to go with ease, there’s little wonder why so many people are living in Kennington today.

About Kennington

Still very much a centre point in London’s beating heart, Kennington is a place with a vibrant spirit. Sitting between Elephant & Castle and Vauxhall, Kennington Tube Station is now in Zone 1+2, and on the Northern Line, it’s simple to get to anywhere in London, offering homeowners a vibrant and varied lifestyle. And in a quiet little corner, where Braganza Street meets Manor Place, Manor & Braganza will be the perfect base for people who want the extra, not the ordinary.

Manor & Braganza

Manor & Braganza is a neighbourhood that blends history, culture, and modernity. Durkan Homes proudly presents a range of new build homes in Kennington, designed with meticulous attention to detail and to suit contemporary London lifestyles. With over 85% of our properties now sold, the new homes in south east London have been hugely popular.

New build apartments in Kennington

Durkan Homes apartments feature a welcoming hallway and spacious living/kitchen/dining area with terraces. All with master bedrooms including a built in wardrobe and a modern bathroom. There are still a range of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments available in our Manor apartments, so be sure to register your interest before they go!

Early history

The first mention of Kennington appears in the Domesday Book as early as 1086 under the name ‘Chenintune’. Over the next couple hundred years, the name continued to evolve from ‘Kenintone’ in 1229 to a more recognisable ‘Kenyngton’ in 1263.

It wasn’t until the 1770s that Kennington started resembling the area we know today, with rows of terrace and semi-detached houses developed from 1788 to the 1790s. By 1818, most of the area’s modern street patterns were fully established. Changing what was once a small village into a semi-rural suburb with elegantly constructed terrace housing stretching several storeys high in some cases – you can still see its mix of Georgian and Victorian architecture today.

In fact, our Manor Apartments that look over Pasley Park have been carefully designed with this charm in mind, reconstructing the historic signature style of South London on the outside with an entirely new building within.

Living in Kennington

It may have changed a lot throughout its history, but Kennington’s rich roadmap makes its modern-day visage all the more interesting. From notable landmarks to events, entertainment, foodie delights, and even your weekly shop, living in Kennington has your covered at every need, want and desire.

Local amenities

Local supermarkets, like Tesco and Waitrose, are an easy choice to cover you for your essentials, offering up all the usual goods you need for the home. And with plenty of options for travel, getting there and back won’t be a headache.

For great fruit and vegetable options, and reasonable prices, take an amble down to East Market – one of London’s oldest and busiest shopping areas. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, you’ll find plenty of interesting goods here.

For those who prefer more artisanal goods, don’t skip Kennington’s Oval Farmers’ Market, running every Saturday at St Mary’s Church. A popular destination for foodies, families, dog walkers and cricket-lovers alike, this place is packed with local and handmade goods, including fruits and veggies, organic meat, cheese, honey, pastries, soups, juices, cakes, coffees, and so much more available.

The world-famous Borough Market is also just a 10-minute ride away, meaning a true celebration of food and drink is close to home. Open six days a week, enjoy losing yourself in exploring its halls and discovering the variety of small traders, delightfully fresh produce and mouth-watering street food stalls. Even if you’re just visiting to look around, bring a bag (you’ll need it).

Getting out and about

Whether you’ve been to London, live in London or it’s your first time in the UK’s capital, to say there was plenty to do, even just in the Kennington area, would be an understatement. It may seem a little sleepier than some areas of London, but it has plenty packed into its winding streets.

One of the many things that make living in Kennington so wonderful is its wide choice of green spaces right on its doorstep. For a fun-filled day with the family, drop by the Vauxhall City Farm just off the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. Spend a few hours with its fluffy residents followed by a picnic on the grass, if the weather’s nice.

Cricket fans, it hardly gets better than taking in a match at The Oval. Take a look at upcoming games, pick your seats and get swept up in the crowd – it’s right across the road from The Oval Tube Station, too. Then, just a stone’s throw from The Oval Cricket Grounds and Tube station, is Kennington Park, which is fantastic for morning workouts, casual ambles, playing tennis, grabbing a bite to eat, or visiting its pretty English Garden.

Behind our new homes in Kennington, the Manor & Braganza development, is Pasley Park. You wouldn’t guess it, but this was once the Royal Surrey Gardens (opened 1837), which held lions, giraffes, tigers, bears, white rhinos, and more. It’s here that we found inspiration for our branding, from stories shared and uncovered around Manor Place and Braganza Street. With hundreds of years of history, culture and curiosity, a happy family of giraffes in Victorian London only scratches the surface.

Whether you’re green-thumbed or not, don’t leave Pasley Park just yet. The award-winning Walworth Garden has loads of interesting workshops to take part in for the local community, from growing organic food and learning about soil, to more seasonal selections like Christmas wreath and decoration making.

Gin enthusiasts, don’t sleep on a Beefeater Gin Distillery Tour. Just a ten-minute walk from Kennington or The Oval Tube Station, get swept up in finding out the ins and outs of what it takes to make one of the country’s favourite gins, plus cocktails, gin tasting and other goodies through the different tour packages.

For film fanatics and cinema lovers, London’s Cinema Museum is one for your list. Take part in a guided tour to view some of its unique collection of artefacts and memorabilia, or pick up tickets for one of its many events, talks or screenings to timeless classics. The building itself is part of the old Lambeth Workhouse, a place where local legend Charlie Chaplin lived as a child.

And those are just a few things to do in Kennington. Half the fun of moving to a new area is discovering fun and inspiring activities, so be sure to get out on an adventure every now and then.

Eating, drinking and nightlife

Don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll be stuck with just a few choices for dinner and drinks. With dozens of pubs and eateries within one mile of the Tube station, you’re absolutely spoilt for choice whatever your preference. From breakfast dates and drinks with friends, to celebrating those truly special milestones, living in Kennington, you’ll find your new favourite haunt whatever the occasion.

Sally White is a cozy café well-known in the area for its brownies and baked goods, but it’s also a perfect place to pop into for a quick lunch and coffee.

The Old Red Lion is a Manor & Braganza local, set inside a Grade 2-listed, Tudor-style building. A proper pub, here you’ll enjoy excellent ale, classic pub food, and a quiz night every Wednesday – all just a few minutes walk away.

Another local pub is The White Bear, serving great food, great beer and great ales to local folks since 1780. It’s had a few updates since then, but with a welcoming, warm and modern design, and an upstairs theatre with different events on, you’ll feel right at home in no time.

But who said the fun had to end once the sun goes down? If you’re not quite ready to turn in for the night, Kennington’s nightlife has something for everyone.

If live music ticks your boxes, pay Toulouse Lautrec a visit. Whether you’re eating a full meal in the Piano Room or enjoying smaller plates and drinks at the Jazz Club, you’ll catch plenty of incredible performances here.

Having seen its fair share of comedy legends, The Tommyfield is more than just a pub that does great grub. Its comedy shows throughout the week vary between big-name and up-and-coming acts, silly games, mystery guests and more. Tickets sell out quickly, so be sure to check the events regularly to avoid disappointment.

And don’t forget, with Kennington Tube Station and the Northern Line you have the whole of London to explore.

Kennington transport

With excellent connections across London and beyond, living in Kennington makes a perfect base to move to for all walks of life. It’s one of the many reasons we can’t wait for families to find their new home at Manor & Braganza – just a few minutes walk from Kennington Tube Station.

Tube & Train

Travelling by Tube is a main draw, with Kennington Tube Station situated on the Northern Line and in Zone 1+2. Areas like Euston and London Bridge are as little as 15 minutes away, so the city really is your oyster.

For those travelling further afield, you can hop on the tube to get to the likes of Waterloo, Charing Cross, Euston, King’s Cross and St Pancras International, all accessible on the Northern Line.

Bus

There are plenty of buses that serve this area of South London, including the 133 (Fleet Street), 360 (South Kensington), 159 (Picadilly/Oxford Circus) and 3 (Westminster & Victoria Bus Station). Buses also operate a tap on, tap off approach to travel, so no need to carry cash around for the fare.

Car

Just off the A3, you can reach the M1 or M25 motorways in under an hour, giving you plenty of opportunity to work (or play) elsewhere without much fuss.

Bike

If you’ve not experienced the London cycle rush yet, you’ve got a treat in store. Very well connected, plenty of locals prefer to cycle around the city, whether that’s travelling to work, meeting friends for some fun, or just enjoying one of the many cycle paths around Kennington and beyond.

Final thoughts to take away

Based on everything you’ve read so far, that’s a question only you can answer. Despite its fairly central location, its small size means Kennington has retained its community feel with an easy, down-to-earth nature. In fact, there are a number of different events organised by and for the local community, from festivals in the park to bat hunting, tree tours, workshops, fairs and the well-loved farmers’ market.

Not right in the centre of the city, but an easy journey in means you can be on the edge of the action without having to worry too much about getting caught up in city living. Commuting to Central London and beyond is also a breeze. With plenty of beautiful properties, some larger properties having been converted to luxury flats, as well as fantastic transport links, living in Kennington is an excellent choice for students, young professionals and first-time buyers.

There’s a reason people think of Kennington as London’s best-kept secret.