The Aylesham Centre

Peckham’s character and heritage

Peckham has an historic town centre, featuring many much-loved heritage buildings dating from the Victorian era and earlier.

The neighbourhood also has a great reputation for its unique local character born out of a melding of cultures from many successive generations of incomers; from the post- war Windrush generation through to the migrants who arrived from Africa in the 90s and on to a young and creative generation of students, artists, musicians and entrepreneurs who have settled here over the past decade.

We want to honour the neighbourhood’s past, nurture its unique culture, and secure a prosperous future for the area and its many different communities.

We have worked to preserve Peckham’s heritage through projects such as the Peckham Townscape Heritage Initiative and through support for the restoration and improvement of Peckham Rye Station. Local heritage is central to Peckham’s thriving arts and culture scene, including celebrated institutions such as Peckham Levels; Mountview Academy; Theatre Peckham and the Bussey Building to name just a few.

Our Local List, launched in November, gives added protection to heritage assets in the borough. In Peckham both the Old Mill Building and the Jones & Higgins clock tower have been recognised, amongst others, for the value they bring to the neighbourhood.

We have recently drafted a Peckham Area Character Study. We have also run a consultation to hear from local people what they think about the study, what they value most about Peckham and its character.

Page last updated: 21 May 2024