About South London
The sub-region is defined as the seven London Boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Sutton and Wandsworth.
South London is not a self-contained sub-region. There are significant labour market, business, leisure and educational linkages with adjoining areas. South London functions within London’s wider central area and is influenced by proximity to central London and the city. It is also influenced by the western corridor, London Fringe, M25 towns, Gatwick corridor, Thames Gateway, Surrey and Kent.
Much of the sub-regional profile can be described as ‘suburban’ with residential areas built around former Surrey and Kent towns and villages, and with over half of London’s deciduous woodland, extensive green belt and parks. In contrast, much of Wandsworth, the northern parts of Merton and Croydon, and the north-east fringe of Bromley are pre-1914 ‘inner city’ in character. There are also entrenched pockets of deprivation that are often ‘hidden’ as the problems lie in very localised areas – below ward level.