Honestly, when I first pulled up to this Lambeth flat, I wasn’t sure what to expect – the area’s been changing so much over the past few years. But you know what? This place actually surprised me in the best way possible. It’s tucked away on a quieter street, which is gold in this part of London, and that balcony they mention isn’t just some tiny afterthought – it’s actually big enough to have your morning coffee without feeling like you’re hanging off the side of a building.
The flat itself feels properly lived-in rather than sterile, if that makes sense. Two bedrooms that aren’t cramped (well, by London standards anyway), and the kitchen’s got everything you’d actually need rather than just looking pretty. I mean, there’s a proper kettle, decent knives, even a cafetière that works. The living area opens right onto that balcony, and on a good day you can catch a bit of the Thames if you crane your neck just right. The whole place gets lovely light in the afternoons – south-facing, I think – which honestly makes such a difference when you’re staying somewhere for more than just a night or two.
Location-wise, you’re about a ten-minute walk to Kennington tube station, maybe fifteen if you’re dragging luggage, and the 159 bus practically stops at your door if you need to get to Westminster or the City. There’s a brilliant little Portuguese café around the corner on Kennington Road that does proper pastéis de nata, and honestly, the Tesco Express is closer than it has any right to be. The Imperial War Museum is literally a five-minute stroll – perfect for a rainy afternoon. Now, I’ll be straight with you, it’s not the fanciest part of London, and you’ll hear the occasional siren since you’re not far from the main roads, but it settles down nicely in the evenings. The building itself is solid Victorian conversion stuff, so the walls are thick enough that you won’t hear every footstep from upstairs. Check-in was smooth enough – they use one of those keypad systems, so no awkward waiting around for someone to show up with keys. All in all, it’s exactly what you want from a London base – comfortable, practical, and in a spot where you feel like you’re actually living in the city rather than just passing through it.