Electric Avenue

The lowdown

Electric Avenue earned its name in the 1880s when it became one of the first market streets in London to be lit by electric light, a marvel that drew crowds from across the city. A century later Eddy Grant turned that name into one of the most famous songs ever written about a London street, and the curved Victorian terrace is still here.

Today it is a busy, brilliant Caribbean and African market street at the heart of Brixton, free to walk through, stalls piled with plantain, yams, fish and fabric, the smell of spice and patties everywhere. It runs straight into the covered Brixton Village and Market Row, so the whole quarter links up into one great free wander.

Look up as you go and you will see the elegant ironwork canopy that once carried those first electric lamps. It is history, music and proper market energy all in one short, free street.