I visited the leafy South London suburb with capital’s best pub, beautiful walks and labyrinth caves

There’s enough to see and do in this traditional ‘Kentish village’ for a fun-filled day out

The best parts of London are not always in the centre, I think we can all agree upon. Off to Chislehurst I go. For me, it’s a quick change at London Bridge Station and on to platform 6 for the 23-minute trip. It’s a green and pleasant journey, bringing to mind this was part of Kent for centuries before the creation of Greater London in 1965.

Getting off the carriage, I naively assume I’ll be in the heart of bustling Chislehurst, but nope. The village centre is a one-mile walk away, but I’m instantly distracted by the award-winning Denny’s Seafood Restaurant (one of several top-rated TripAdvisor venues in Chislehurst) right next to the station. Ah, how I wish I had more time…

From the station along Summerhill towards the village centre is a leafy walk in the sunshine, treading along green boulevards with irregular, stately old houses and delightful oddities jutting here and there. There is certainly old money in this area.

A five-minute stroll from the station brings me to The Rambler’s Rest, a pub dating to 1684 in what looks like an old farmhouse, with cooling air-con inside and an expansive beer garden out back. The owner is chatty and happily gives me tips on the best places to visit.

Nearby is another local legend of a pub, The Imperial Arms, famed for its Sunday roasts and a winner of a Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice award 2025, while a few minutes walk away are the Chislehurst Caves, a labyrinth of man-made tunnels carved out over hundreds of years and said to be 22 miles long, with tickets from just £8 to boot.

Feeling energised, I walk on up through Summerhill Road and on to Bromley Road, past Hangman’s Corner – where a faint inscription on a small stone pinpoints where a gibbet once stood. Upon reaching Centre Common Road, we’re at a crossroads. To the left (north) takes you to High Street, with its bustling amenities, as well as the scenic Rush Pond, home to flocks of ducks.

But immediately to the south is Royal Parade, and that’s where I’m going. It’s about as close to a picture postcard of a chocolate box English village as you can get. There’s a red phone box, an old street lamp, and hanging flower baskets with every rainbow colour. Immediately I come upon The Cockpit, the florists-turned-pub which has been named Camra’s London pub of the year.

Royal Parade is a masterclass in how independent businesses can thrive if they stick together. Immediately next door is Fish Union Bar and Grill, and then Walnut Cafe – all offering al fresco service outside.

There are two restaurants on Royal Parade, Panas Gurkha – winner of Nepalese Restaurant of the Year at the 2026 British Curry Championship, and the old-school Italian restaurant Due Amici. A fashion boutique, beauty spa, barbershop and art gallery round off the independent spirit of Royal Parade.

Onward north, and Chislehurst High Street is a bustling hub with several pubs and restaurants, although it is less of a discovery than Royal Parade. Still, there are a few charming standouts, The Queen’s Head is a cosy boozer right next to the duck pond and the village green, while upmarket Thai restaurant The Giggling Squid has a branch here.

Côte Chislehurst is a highly-rated French restaurant specialising in seafood, while Ginger & Spices and Cinnamon Culture are both quality Indian restaurants.

I’m a little bit disappointed that Ukrainian restaurant Ole Kyiv has left the village after a lease disagreement, moving instead to Old Street. Chislehurst’s loss is central London’s gain.

Elsewhere, bakeries, cafes and a surprising number of pilates studios round out the centre. This is a quintessentially Kentish village, but with all the amenities of the 21st century.

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