\n On August 8, with the sun shining and 24 degree heat, I hopped on a train for an afternoon out in Brockley.\n<\/p>\n
\n The journey itself was a pleasant prelude, passing familiar south east London stops like Forest Hill and Sydenham before pulling into Brockley station.\n<\/p>\n
\n Brockley (Image: Poppy Huggett)\n<\/p>\n
\n I was immediately struck by the number of bars and caf\u00e9s right outside the station doors – and not just empty ones.\n<\/p>\n
\n These places were alive with chatter, clinking glasses, and the smell of coffee drifting into the street.\n<\/p>\n
\n Outside Browns of Brockley, people were perched at small tables, sipping espresso and guest filter coffees from the airy caf\u00e9.\n<\/p>\n
\n People sat oustide Parlez (Image: Poppy Huggett)\n<\/p>\n
\n Just across the road, Parlez had its patio buzzing – a casual eatery known for its all-day breakfasts and Persian-inspired dinners.\n<\/p>\n
\n Curious to see more, I wandered along Brockley Road.\n<\/p>\n
\n Given the lively crowd near the station, I was surprised at how quickly the noise fell away.\n<\/p>\n
\n Brockley Road (Image: Poppy Huggett)\n<\/p>\n
\n The road was quieter than I expected, almost as if the caf\u00e9s had gathered all the people into one spot and left the rest of the street to the afternoon sunshine.\n<\/p>\n
\n My first stop was Crofton Books, a cosy little shop with dozens of titles spilling out onto tables outside.\n<\/p>\n
\n Crofton Books (Image: Poppy Huggett)\n<\/p>\n
\n 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\u2019t know you needed.\n<\/p>\n
\n Next door, the scent of waffle cones led me to Sundae, a small-but-mighty gelato shop that\u2019s recently been named one of the best ice cream parlours in London.\n<\/p>\n
\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n Sundae (Image: Poppy Huggett) The husband-and-wife team behind Sundae have been scooping since 2019, and their pride is clear.\n<\/p>\n
\n On Instagram, they\u2019d written: \u201cAs a husband-and-wife duo, watching our gelato business grow since 2019 has brought us immense joy.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Two doors down, the smell of frying fish beckoned me into Brockley\u2019s Rock, an award-winning fish and chip shop run by owner-manager Kyriacos Karoulla.\n<\/p>\n
\n This year, they took home the \u2018Community Engagement\u2019 award, recognising their work in tidying up a back road with other local businesses.\n<\/p>\n
\n Brockley’s Rock (Image: Poppy Huggett)\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cNow it\u2019s a nice area for people to walk, and they carry on respecting it,\u201d Kyriacos told me.\n<\/p>\n
\n Their win also came with a perk: a trip to Norway with 14 other award-winners to learn more about the fish they serve.\n<\/p>\n
\n I decided to taste what all the fuss was about, ordering their famous cod and chips.\n<\/p>\n
\n My cod and fish at Brockley’s Rock (Image: Poppy Huggett)\n<\/p>\n
\n \u00a0The cod was tender inside with a perfectly crisp batter, the chips golden and moreish.\n<\/p>\n
\n The homemade tartare sauce was a standout – tangy, herby, and full of flavour – and the mushy peas and salad rounded it all out.\n<\/p>\n
\n A lime wedge for the cod was a small touch that made a big difference.\n<\/p>\n
\n Full and content, I strolled up to Hilly Fields, where the skyline of central London shimmered in the distance.\n<\/p>\n
\n Hilly Fields (Image: Poppy Huggett)\n<\/p>\n
\n As the afternoon eased into evening, I wandered back to the station, the same cluster of caf\u00e9s and bars still buzzing with life.\n<\/p>\n
\n Brockley might not be the first place that comes to mind for a day out in London, but after today, it\u2019s firmly on my list \u2013 warm, welcoming, and full of flavour.\n<\/p>\n
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