The list, created by The Sunday Times, looks at what makes a neighbourhood desirable in 2026.
Looking at food options, community feel, and access to nature, each postcode earned a specific title for why it was the coolest.
You can see the full list of the UK’s coolest postcodes via The Sunday Times.
The coolest postcode in London for 2026
For London, it was E14’s Poplar that was crowned the coolest place to live for 2026.
Branded as perfect for “urban ‘makers'”, Poplar was described as “pedigree” by The Sunday Times.
Once known for its connection to activism, Poplar is now known for its arts, with many creatives flocking to the area.
The Sunday Times praised the postcodes’ look, describing Poplar as a “architectural melting pot combining brutalist blocks (Erno Goldfinger’s Balfron Tower is a local icon) with Georgian terraces and the old warehouses of Narrow Street”.
Spratt’s Complex, once the largest dog biscuit factory in the world and now a space for artist crowds to gather, was highlighted as a local landmark by the outlet.
The Complex lines the Limehouse Cut, stretching across the canal path from Bow to the Thames.
The Sunday Times also went on to praise Poplar Works, sharing: “The Poplar Works studios are home to upcoming fashion brands and makers, AB Fine Art Foundry casts bronze sculptures for the likes of Tracey Emin and Gavin Turk, and R-Urban Poplar is a community garden with a bulging calendar of workshops.”
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The Grapes pub, part-owned by Sir Ian McKellen, also earned a special nod, with its riverside location and historic connections to Charles Dickens.
Elsewhere, top-rated casual bite spots include London Fields E5 Bakehouse next to the popular Bartlett Park.
The bakery shares a space with Poplar Union, a community venue that hosts a range of events like Pilates and pottery classes.