Lewisham vs Catford

Lewisham and Catford are neighbouring town centres in south-east London, about a mile apart along the River Ravensbourne. Lewisham is a major transport interchange with new-build towers and a busy shopping centre; Catford is a smaller, cheaper town centre with a strong local character and nearby Edwardian streets.

Lewisham's connectivity is much stronger. It has the DLR to Canary Wharf and Bank and fast Southeastern trains to London Bridge, Cannon Street and Charing Cross. Catford has two rail stations, with Southeastern and Thameslink services, but trains are less frequent and there is no DLR or tube. The South Circular runs straight through Catford's centre, while Lewisham's traffic is concentrated around its rebuilt interchange.

Catford is typically noticeably cheaper and scores slightly higher for green space, with Ladywell Fields, Mountsfield Park and the Corbett Estate's quiet streets nearby. Lewisham has more amenities, a larger town centre, University Hospital Lewisham and slightly more nightlife, although both areas are quiet compared with inner south London. Catford's regeneration plans could change its town centre over the coming years, while Lewisham's rebuilt centre is largely complete.

The extra rent in Lewisham buys frequency and choice: the DLR, several routes to London Bridge and a big town centre, which matters most to people working at Canary Wharf or in the City. Catford rewards those whose commute fits its rail lines with lower rents, more space, parks nearby and a local, less polished town centre that is still finding its direction.