London has many places worth visiting but, according to The Telegraph, these are five you should avoid
Croydon Council is still grappling with a £1.4bn historic debt burden(Image: RossellaScalia)
London is made up of 32 boroughs, each with its own perks and flaws. There are some corners of the city that, regardless of the truth of it, get a bit of a bad rap.
The Telegraph has compiled a list of its ‘ten must-visit London suburbs’. On the list, popular ‘suburbs’ such as Wanstead, Wimbledon, and Dulwich Village make their top 10.
The paper has also compiled a list of five spots it reckons are best avoided – and the list is sure to ruffle some feathers.
Croydon
Croydon gets a bad rap from many Londoners and has long been a victim of ridicule. The outer London borough is vast, and according to Telegraph journalist Amanda Hoyd, its “decimated shopping centre and soaring crime” have stopped it from living up to the potential it once had.
However, things may be on the up as recently, plans were announced by The Croydon Project to revamp shops and revitalise the town centre into a mixed-use destination with a Westfield.
New high rises are constantly being built in the area, and with vast green spaces to explore, Croydon does have something to offer. The Telegraph don’t seem to be too high on it, but they do give it credit for its 16-minute journey time to Central London and for its “oodles of promise.”
Artist’s impression of the new public square looking North(Image: The Croydon Project/URW)
Edmonton
The Telegraph described Edmonton as a ‘sprawl of chicken shops and gang crime.’ The once-Middlesex village has never had the best time in the press, so it’s inclusion may not be all that surprising.
Cheshire House (left) and Shropshire House (right) loom above the Edmonton skyline(Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)
Edmonton boasts many different high streets with a range of independent shops and cultural and sporting facilities, and a selection of parks, such as Pymmes, that give you access to large green spaces in London.
MyLondon visited Edmonton back in 2024, after Enfield was named the ‘gun crime’ capital.
Anerley
When it comes to South East London, choosing where to go can be a bit overwhelming. The popular options are Greenwich, Southwark, Bexley and Bromley. Bromley has many places that people looking for green space love. Anerley, however, may not be at the top of your list
Its neighbours, Penge and Crystal Palace, may be more popular, and Anerley doesn’t blow your socks off, but avoiding it altogether may be a bit harsh. The Telegraph described it as being stuck ‘between family-friendly Beckenham and cool Crystal Palace’, but does note that the train station is worth a visit.
Harlesden
The North West area in Brent is described as being a place people “regret” moving to. They wrote: “People who couldn’t afford Notting Hill moved to Queen’s Park. People who couldn’t afford Queen’s Park moved to Harlesden.”
Harlesden is a vibrant area made up of different communities (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)
Harlesden is known for its diverse and vibrant community, with people from all backgrounds living there. A large Afro-Caribbean community resides in Harlesden, along with significant Irish and Latin American communities.
Surbiton
Surbiton is an old-school village-like area in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Originally part of Surrey, Surbiton became part of Greater London in 1965, blending its historic roots with modern urban living. It has preserved its historic architecture, in stark contrast to the ever-increasing number of high-rises popping up in London.
However, The Telegraph writes that not a lot has changed since the 1970s.
Do you agree with The Telegraph’s list of places to avoid? Let us know in the comments