When The Sunday Times named Telegraph Hill as one of London’s coolest places to live, I knew I had to go and see what all the fuss was about.

Could this peaceful pocket of south east London really live up to the hype?

On Friday, April 25, I set off from south London, hopping on a train to Queen’s Road Peckham, then jumping on a ten-minute bus to the upper part of Telegraph Hill.

The Upper Park was where my adventure began (Image: Newsquest)

At the heart of it all is, of course, the mighty hill itself.

Standing tall over London, it offers some of the best views I’ve seen in the city.

On this particular Friday, the weather was glorious with proper blue skies, and from the top, you could see across the skyline like a real-life painting.

The London skyline views (Image: Newsquest)

To my left, the Shard glittered; to my right, the clusters of city buildings framed by the green spaces around.

Telegraph Hill is steeped in history – during the Second World War, a barrage balloon was stationed in the lower park as part of London’s defence against air raids.

Imagine wandering through a picnic lawn now, knowing how much history sits under your feet.

The tennis courts at Telegraph Hill (Image: Newsquest)

The park itself is beautiful – tennis courts, huge open lawns, and little tucked-away spots perfect for picnics or lazy afternoons with a book.

Feeling peckish, I made my way to The Hill Station Café, a cosy, welcoming spot tucked between the upper and lower parks.

It’s so much more than just a café – it’s a true community hub.

The menu at The Hill (Image: Newsquest)

Inside, I grabbed an iced vanilla latte (which hit the spot perfectly) and had a lovely chat with Jacqui, the owner, who’s been running it since 2013.

Jacqui started with just a small café trailer in the park and built up the Hill Station into what it is today – a warm, inclusive space where locals can work, catch up, or just grab a drink and feel at home.

Vivian Gotsell has been coming to the cafe for years (Image: Newsquest)

Inside, there’s even the Hill Trader shop, packed full of products from independent businesses. Honestly, you can feel the heart in every corner.

After soaking up the café vibes, it was time for something Telegraph Hill is fast becoming famous for – pizza.

Dinner for one hundred (Image: Newsquest)

Right outside the café is a tiny but mighty pizza spot, and even in the early afternoon, there was a queue.

I spoke to one of the managers, who told me they run the place with a small team – and yet, they’re churning out some of the best pizzas in London.

The fabulous team at Dinner for one hundred (Image: Newsquest)

Naturally, I had to try it for myself.

I went for the JÈSUS: tomato, fior di latte, basil, pepperoni, and jalapeños.

The pizza was sensational – crispy, spicy, cheesy, and fresh, all in one perfect slice.

The pizza was so good, I couldn’t resist taking a bite before even snapping a photo (Image: Newsquest)

I took my pizza down to the lower park, found a spot near the little bridge and pond, and tucked in while families played nearby, and the sun started to dip slightly.

My chosen dining area for the day (Image: Newsquest)

There was just something about Telegraph Hill that made it feel special – not just the incredible views or the gorgeous green spaces, but the people.

The open green spaces at Telegraph Hill are gorgeous (Image: Newsquest)

Everyone I met was warm, friendly, and up for a chat, whether it was Jacky at the café or the pizza team buzzing with energy.

When it was time to head home, I took a gentle ten-minute stroll to Nunhead Station, grabbed a train, and was back at Blackfriars within twenty minutes.

Telegraph Hill isn’t just one of London’s coolest places to live — it’s a proper hidden gem.