Located just south of Waterloo, Elephant & Castle is one of those rare London areas with a central location and excellent transport links. Around three billion pounds has been invested in ‘The Elephant’, and there has also been significant regeneration in the area, turning it into a buzzing London neighbourhood. Here, we cover what you can expect moving to Elephant & Castle, from house prices to the things to do and see.
A brief history of Elephant & Castle
One of the most frequently asked questions about Elephant & Castle is naturally where the unusual name comes from. Various theories have been put forward over the years, including the possibility that it was named after certain visits by Spanish princesses in the Mediaeval period, both of whom were known as the ‘Infanta de Castilla’. However, this has been largely debunked, and it’s most likely that the area was named after a pub called the Elephant & Castle.
Where is Elephant & Castle
Elephant & Castle is situated on the border of Zones 1 and 2, to the south of Southwark and the north of Kennington. It covers the postcodes SE1, SE11, and SE17 and falls under the London Borough of Southwark. Directly neighboured by Walworth to the south and Camberwell to the southeast. Brixton is also nearby, lying to the southwest in the adjacent London Borough of Lambeth. These areas form a closely connected group of neighbourhoods in South London.
Moving to Elephant & Castle
Regeneration means there are plenty of shiny new builds. Some of which are more than 30 stories high, like One The Elephant is 37. Surrounding streets also feature a smattering of Georgian townhouses and homes from the Victorian era.
Buying in Elephant & Castle
The average sold price in Elephant & Castle is £560,512, which is higher than the UK national average of £329,547 but lower than the London average (£734,698). Expect to pay an average of £935,000 for a semi-detached home. £909,436 for a terraced house and £493,130 for an apartment.
There’s a varied selection of estate and letting agents in Elephant & Castle, with chain and independent options available to help you find a home.
Renting in Elephant & Castle
One-bedroom homes rent for an average of £2,000 per month in Elephant & Castle, with two-bedroom properties fetching in the region of £2,350 per month. For larger homes, expect to pay an average of £2,700 per month. However, these prices are largely inflated by the brand-new high rises in the area.
Cost of living
If you’re moving to Elephant & Castle, you can expect to pay similar prices to the rest of London for everyday living. A meal for one person is around £20, while a cappuccino and a pint of milk cost about £3.20p and £1 respectively.
Utility bills are considerably higher than the national average (UK average £155) in Elephant & Castle, at around £247 per month for electricity, heating, cooling, water and waste disposal. Expect to pay around £29 per month for broadband.
Living in Elephant & Castle
Open spaces
Elephant Park is the largest new park in London for over seven decades, while Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park is located behind the Imperial War Museum. Burgess Park is the council’s flagship green space and spans 140 acres.
Transport links
For commuting around London, you’d be hard-pressed to find somewhere better connected than Elephant & Castle. The underground station is on the Bakerloo and Northern lines, making Oxford Circus just 12 minutes away and Old Street a mere eight-minute journey.
Shopping
The once-loved shopping centre is no more, but Elephant & Castle still has several shops. Many of these are occupied in the ground spaces of new residential developments and mix chain and independent stores. Living in Elephant & Castle also means easy access to shopping hotspots like Oxford Street.
Eateries
Expect to find a selection of restaurants – after all, Elephant & Castle is quickly becoming a prime London postcode. You can find there Neapolitan-style spots, serving wood-fired oven sourdough pizzas and meaty South American grill restaurants.
Nightlife
Elephant & Castle is home to one of the most iconic clubs in London. One has become a global brand and has been a hotspot for Londoners for decades. Visit to see world-class DJs playing dance and house.
Art & culture
If you fancy discovering new talent, check out the two theatres at Elephant & Castle, The Southwark Playhouse and Blue Elephant Theatre. You’ll find a range of shows from local artists and further afield.
Things to do
A trip to the Imperial War Museum is a must. It’s housed in the former Bethlem Hospital and showcases an impressive collection of items from the British military past, including documents, photographs, weapons and even full-sized planes.
What’s not to like?
Previously the area was known as somewhat of an eye sore, thanks to the enormous roundabout. That roundabout still remains, but continued development in the neighbourhood has since brought it up to scratch.
Who lives there?
The London Borough of Southwark, where Elephant & Castle is located, has a population of more than 317,000 and a median age of 33.
Typical broadband speeds
The average broadband speed is 24mbps in Elephant & Castle, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 67mbps.
Crime rates
The overall crime rate in Southwark averages around 98 crimes per 1,000 people.
Moving to Elephant & Castle
Move iQ’s property report provides an in-depth analysis of specific properties as well as details about the local area of Elephant & Castle. If you’re thinking of moving, make sure you get one first!
Last Updated: April 12th, 2024
