There really is a lot to be said for family life in Herne Hill.
For those looking to balance space, value, and convenience, Herne Hill continues to stand out as one of South London’s most appealing postcodes.
Situated between Brixton, Dulwich and Brockwell Park, and with quick rail and bus links into central London, it offers in many ways the best of both worlds: an almost village-like charm, with all the benefits of inner-city connectivity.
But convenient transport is by no means the only reason that Herne Hill is taking the fancy of so many family-minded house hunters. From excellent schools to leafy parks and a warm, welcoming community where there is always something going on, Herne Hill is increasingly seen as the perfect place to put down roots.
In this article, I’ll explore why so many families are choosing Herne Hill – and why, at Petermans Estate Agents, we are convinced that our area’s popularity only looks set to grow in the years ahead.
When it comes to families moving home, schools are often the number one deciding factor, and SE24 absolutely delivers. Herne Hill and the surrounding neighbourhoods are home to a wide range of highly rated schools, offering both state and independent options.
Primary schools: Families regularly mention Judith Kerr Primary School, St Jude’s Church of England Primary and Jessop Primary for their strong results and nurturing environments. All were rated either Good or Outstanding by Ofsted at their last inspection, although we recognise that the way Ofsted publishes these ratings has now changed since 2024 (still, many find it reassuring to know!).
Secondary schools: Nearby options such as The Charter School in North Dulwich and Elmgreen School are popular choices, offering strong curriculums and good academic records. We also have a number of faith-based schools throughout the wider Dulwich and Brixton areas.
Independent schools: Dulwich College, James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) and Alleyn’s are all within easy reach, giving families access to some of the most respected independent schools in the country, let alone the capital.
The breadth of schooling options here in SE24 offers families flexibility and choice – and at the same time, the strong reputations these schools have do make property in the area a reassuring prospect for those thinking about long-term value.
One of our greatest draws here in Herne Hill is our access to open and wooded green spaces. Families moving here from elsewhere often remark on it, as being something they really hadn’t expected to find within London.
Here are just a few local destinations well worth exploring as a family:
Brockwell Park: Perhaps our crown jewel. With wide open lawns, sports facilities, the famous lido, miniature railway, playgrounds, and not to mention sweeping views of the London skyline, it’s one of the capital’s best-loved green spaces – and we have it right here on our doorstep.
Ruskin Park: A beautiful mix of open lawns, wildlife gardens and children’s play areas, plus a famous old bandstand. It brings a community feel to the space, and is a firm favourite with locals.
Dulwich Park: Just a short stroll away, Dulwich Park offers boating lakes, horse riding, tennis courts and bicycle hire – a whole family day out!
For families with children, having a choice of parks within walking distance puts a huge tick in the ‘quality-of-life’ box – perhaps especially so for active families with sport-loving children.
Herne Hill offers a village-like feel; it is something that people tell us time and time again. But despite that, its transport connections mean that we definitely don’t feel cut off from central London.
Rail: Herne Hill station provides direct trains to Victoria, Blackfriars, City Thameslink and St Pancras International, making commuting to the City or West End painlessly straightforward.
Underground: Brixton station is just a few minutes away, giving fast Victoria Line access across London.
Buses: London’s bus network is a marvel, and frequent services link Herne Hill with Brixton, Dulwich, Clapham, Camberwell and beyond.
For commuting parents, older teenagers craving some independence, or for trips both into the city or out towards Kent, East Anglia or the south coast, Herne Hill is perfectly connected.
Herne Hill is not an inexpensive area to buy a home. According to Rightmove, the average property price here currently sits around £775,000, with flats averaging £491,000 – however, terraced properties average just over £1,000,000, and semi-detached homes – often an ambition for family-minded buyers – average around £1,750,000.
Compared to national averages, or even prices across other areas of London, Herne Hill values are clearly higher. However, families are still drawn here despite that – or perhaps, in a way, because of that. Over the past two decades, property values in SE24 have risen by 63% – or around 2.5%, after adjusting for general inflation. It is this deemed security in bricks and mortar value that appeals to many buyers – that sense that, despite the lofty house prices, one’s money is essentially safe over time.
Now, we have to advise that property prices are notoriously hard to predict, and really anything can happen… but it is also hard to argue against history, and for many family buyers, that historic trend speaks volumes.
Bricks and mortar is one thing; good schools and local facilities are another. But what truly makes a place home is the community.
Herne Hill has long been known for its friendly, culturally diverse and creative local community, brought together and glued together by community-focussed destinations and community events. From our famous Herne Hill Sunday Market to local cafés like West 16th, to artisan bakeries like Christopher’s Bakery (amazing fresh bread!), to great family-run restaurants, to incredible local artists such as Sharyn Wortman, and to any number of local musicians and performers… our area simply thrives on building up small local businesses and local creatives, giving them a pedestal and helping them shine. And I’m proud of that.
It truly builds a community connection and sense of local identity that other parts don’t have. For families, that sense of belonging – knowing children can grow up in a safe, open-minded and inclusive environment – can be just as important as anything else.
We know family life is busy, and that convenience matters. Herne Hill scores high marks on that front, too.
The station area and Half Moon Lane provide everything from independent shops and restaurants to GP surgeries, gyms and cafés, with larger supermarkets just minutes away in Brixton or Dulwich.
Cafés, yoga studios, family-friendly pubs, local parks and sports facilities, plus the ever-popular Brockwell Lido and Herne Hill Velodrome, mean there’s always something to keep the whole family entertained.
It’s hard not to wax lyrical, so I will! Here in Herne Hill, I feel we have a perfect mix for family-minded house hunters. Great schooling options, excellent transport links, fantastic green spaces and sports and leisure facilities to boot, shops, restaurants, cafes and delis, and a creative buzz generated by local artists and performers who are championed by their community… all in all, it’s no wonder Herne Hill continues to attract so many families to the area – and keeps those that are here, in place!
With ongoing investment in local amenities and the enduring appeal of village-like living within minutes of central London, the area’s popularity looks set to grow even further.
For buyers, it’s not just a practical choice but history shows it to be a sensible long-term investment. For sellers, the steady flow of families moving into the area will help sustain demand and keep the market active.
If you have a family home in Herne Hill that you’re thinking about selling, please do get in touch with us at Petermans – we have a number of registered buyers searching for just your type of property.
Is Herne Hill a good place to raise a family?
Yes – Herne Hill offers a rare balance of space, value and convenience. Families benefit from highly rated schools, plentiful parks and green spaces, sports and leisure facilities, great local shops, cafes and restaurants, and strong transport links into central London.
What are the best schools in Herne Hill?
Parents have a wide choice of well-regarded schools, including Judith Kerr Primary, St Jude’s C of E Primary, and The Charter School North Dulwich. Independent options such as Dulwich College, JAGS and Alleyn’s are also close by.
How long does it take to commute from Herne Hill to central London?
Herne Hill station provides direct trains to Victoria and Blackfriars in under 15 minutes, while Brixton’s Victoria Line offers fast underground access.
We are required by law to conduct anti-money laundering checks on all those selling or buying a property. Whilst we retain responsibility for ensuring checks and any ongoing monitoring are carried out correctly, the initial checks are carried out on our behalf by Lifetime Legal who will contact you once you have agreed to instruct us in your sale or had an offer accepted on a property you wish to buy. The cost of these checks is £60 (incl. VAT), which covers the cost of obtaining relevant data and any manual checks and monitoring which might be required. This fee will need to be paid by you in advance of us publishing your property (in the case of a vendor) or issuing a memorandum of sale (in the case of a buyer), directly to Lifetime Legal, and is non-refundable. We will receive some of the fee taken by Lifetime Legal to compensate for its role in the provision of these checks.