The Standard named Canada Water among the south London neighbourhoods of Woolwich and Mitcham as one of London’s top areas to buy a house in for 2026.
Living in London can be a costly pursuit, but The Standard’s list pinpoints some of the “under-the-radar” areas that offer good value when it comes to getting on the property ladder.
Just across the river from Canary Wharf, Canada Water in the district of Rotherhithe in south east London is a riverside neighbourhood with access to the London Underground via the Jubilee line from Canada Water station.
The Standard earmarked Canada Water as one of the best areas to buy a home in 2026 on account of its major £4bn development taking place over the next 15 years, which is set to bring an influx of new homes to the area.
According to The Standard, the scale of the regeneration underway at Canada Water is one of the key reasons it has been highlighted as a top place to buy.
The 53-acre development, led by British Land and AustralianSuper, is set to transform the former docklands into a new town centre, delivering around 3,000 new homes alongside a million square feet of shops, restaurants, workspaces and cultural amenities.
The neighbourhood will also be framed by 130 acres of parks and woodland, helping to retain the area’s greenery despite the scale of the project.
Another reason for Canada Water’s inclusion on the list was the arrival of the first residents at The Founding, a 35-storey tower designed by Conran and Partners next to Canada Water station, as a sign that the regeneration is moving from vision to reality.
While prices in new developments start at £695,000, comparable with Canary Wharf, the wider SE16 postcode still offers better value, particularly in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe.
Green space for residents to exercise is in nearby Stave Hill Ecological Park, Russia Dock Woodland and Southwark Park, alongside long riverside walks on the south bank of the Thames.
Canada Water sits firmly in Zone 2, with Jubilee line services offering connections to Canary Wharf, London Bridge and the West End.
The London Overground serves the area via the Windrush line and offers direct links to Shoreditch, Hoxton and Highbury & Islington.
Several bus routes operate from the adjoining bus station, offering links to places like Deptford and Greenwich.
Local highlights include the Canada Water Library and Cultural Space, Surrey Quays Leisure Park with its cinema and bowling alley, and the historic riverside pubs of nearby Rotherhithe, including The Mayflower.
According to Rightmove, house prices in Canada Water averaged at £568,409 over the last year.
Most sales were flats, with an average price of £520,842, while terraced homes sold for an average of £721,010 and semi-detached properties for £725,667.
