Brixton and Herne Hill in 50 Buildings

Explore the rich history of the south-west London towns of Brixton and Herne Hill in this guided tour through their most fascinating historic and modern buildings.

After decades of pounding the streets, pointing out interesting structures, four London Guides have turned their attention to writing about fifty buildings in Brixton and Herne Hill two adjoining neighbourhoods in South London.

Although Brixton and Herne Hill are next to each other, their character is quite different. Brixton is socially and culturally diverse with a buzz of informality and a vibrant nightlife, while Herne Hill has an ambience of bohemian gentility, with independent shops and desirable owner-occupied homes. They are, however, tied together by road, rail and the River Effra, which now runs underground.

In Roman times Brixton was a route to somewhere else, providing a path running alongside the River Effra, while Herne Hill was farmland and woods unt