On August 8, with the sun shining and 24 degree heat, I hopped on a train for an afternoon out in Brockley.
The journey itself was a pleasant prelude, passing familiar south east London stops like Forest Hill and Sydenham before pulling into Brockley station.
Brockley (Image: Poppy Huggett)
I was immediately struck by the number of bars and cafés right outside the station doors – and not just empty ones.
These places were alive with chatter, clinking glasses, and the smell of coffee drifting into the street.
Outside Browns of Brockley, people were perched at small tables, sipping espresso and guest filter coffees from the airy café.
People sat oustide Parlez (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Just across the road, Parlez had its patio buzzing – a casual eatery known for its all-day breakfasts and Persian-inspired dinners.
Curious to see more, I wandered along Brockley Road.
Given the lively crowd near the station, I was surprised at how quickly the noise fell away.
Brockley Road (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The road was quieter than I expected, almost as if the cafés had gathered all the people into one spot and left the rest of the street to the afternoon sunshine.
My first stop was Crofton Books, a cosy little shop with dozens of titles spilling out onto tables outside.
Crofton Books (Image: Poppy Huggett)
There was everything from vintage finds to shiny new releases – the sort of place that makes you want to stay and rummage until you find the one book you didn’t know you needed.
Next door, the scent of waffle cones led me to Sundae, a small-but-mighty gelato shop that’s recently been named one of the best ice cream parlours in London.
The flavours here are as creative as they are tempting: summer berry cheesecake, Guinness, dark chocolate and orange, and occasional specials like fig and mascarpone.
Sundae (Image: Poppy Huggett) The husband-and-wife team behind Sundae have been scooping since 2019, and their pride is clear.
On Instagram, they’d written: “As a husband-and-wife duo, watching our gelato business grow since 2019 has brought us immense joy.”
Two doors down, the smell of frying fish beckoned me into Brockley’s Rock, an award-winning fish and chip shop run by owner-manager Kyriacos Karoulla.
This year, they took home the ‘Community Engagement’ award, recognising their work in tidying up a back road with other local businesses.
Brockley’s Rock (Image: Poppy Huggett)
“Now it’s a nice area for people to walk, and they carry on respecting it,” Kyriacos told me.
Their win also came with a perk: a trip to Norway with 14 other award-winners to learn more about the fish they serve.
I decided to taste what all the fuss was about, ordering their famous cod and chips.
My cod and fish at Brockley’s Rock (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The cod was tender inside with a perfectly crisp batter, the chips golden and moreish.
The homemade tartare sauce was a standout – tangy, herby, and full of flavour – and the mushy peas and salad rounded it all out.
A lime wedge for the cod was a small touch that made a big difference.
Full and content, I strolled up to Hilly Fields, where the skyline of central London shimmered in the distance.
Hilly Fields (Image: Poppy Huggett)
As the afternoon eased into evening, I wandered back to the station, the same cluster of cafés and bars still buzzing with life.
Brockley might not be the first place that comes to mind for a day out in London, but after today, it’s firmly on my list – warm, welcoming, and full of flavour.