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In the long-established rivalry between north and south London, the south often comes off worst. That said, the 1980s club dance craze was passionately embraced from the Elephant and Castle to Brixton and beyond. And much of the spirit of those years lives on in the vibrant pubs, bars and clubs of the area. The best reason for taking a trip to Brixton or Clapham is to enjoy some slices of ‘real’ London life: the clubs, venues, market and bars of multicultural Brixton; the wide common, cafés and pubs of Clapham.
Sights
Brixton
Black Cultural Archives, 378 Coldharbour Lane, T 020-7738 4591, http://www.aambh.org.uk. Mon-Fri 1300-1600 or by appointment. Free. M Brixton.
Electric Avenue was one of the first streets in London to be supplied with electricity, and is nowadays the pulsating centre of ethnic Brixton. Dingy and verging on the dilapidated, the energy which emanates from Brixton Market represents the heart of this lively multicultural town at its effervescent best. Nearby is the Black Cultural Archives. With frequent temporary exhibitions, the Archives is a good information point on black issues and a mouthpiece for Brixton’s strong Afro-Caribbean cultural awareness.
Clapham
M Clapham Common.
Clapham Common is a picturesque stretch of commonly-owned land which makes a pleasant walking ground at weekends when families and footballers are usually out in force. The long terrace of Georgian townhouses on the north side dates from around 1720 and includes the former residences of Captain Cook and Charles Barry (architect of the Houses of Parliament).
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