London’s most in-demand areas lie outside the banana zone

Rightmove logo

As the viral ‘London banana’ map continues to stir debate over the capital’s most desirable areas, new data from Rightmove reveals the top ten most in-demand London hotspots.

The banana may be appealing but the real action is happening outside the peel, with eight out of ten hotspots falling outside the banana zone – a curved corridor of highly desirable areas stretching from South West to North East London.

Affordability could be a key factor. Seven of the ten hotspots have average asking prices below the London average of £666,983, suggesting buyers are prioritising value alongside location.

Islington in North London and Battersea in Wandsworth are the only two hotspots located in the banana zone.

The top three most in-demand neighbourhoods outside the peel are Docklands and Hackney in East London, followed by Sutton in the South.

Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, adds, “While the viral banana map has captured imaginations, our recent data shows that buyers are drawn to areas outside its curve. Affordability is a key driver, with many of the most in-demand locations offering better value than the London average.

“It’s a reminder that buyer interest doesn’t always follow the trend, it follows the opportunity.”

Top 10 most in-demand locations for homebuyers in London

Ranking Location Borough Average price
1 Docklands Tower Hamlets £551,551
2 Hackney Hackney £671,717
3 Islington Islington £818,293
4 Sutton Sutton £496,748
5 Walthamstow Walthamstow £534,159
6 Orpington Bromley £593,478
7 Romford Havering £424,076
8 Croydon Croydon £395,423
9 Bromley Bromley £575,922
10 Battersea Wandsworth £992,370

 

Rightmove

UK Property news updates shared directly from Rightmove PLC - the country's leading property portal.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Enhancing Project Presentation with 3D Rendering Services

Imagine pitching a luxury hotel to investors using only blueprints and mood boards. They nod politely, squint at technical drawings, and promise to “think about it.” Now picture showing them a photorealistic walkthrough where sunlight streams through the lobby’s glass atrium, shadows dance across Italian marble floors, and they can virtually stand on the rooftop…
Read More
Breaking News

House prices fall for the first time in 18 months across southern England

House prices fall for the first time in 18 months across southern England, but threat of new property tax removed from 210,000 homes   House prices in London and the South recorded their first fall in 18 months, driven by budget uncertainty and more homes for sale, boosting choice for home buyers. UK-wide buyer demand…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove trialling new Renovation Cost Estimator

Rightmove, the UK’s largest property platform, is trialling a new renovation tool with home-movers, designed to help buyers understand the potential renovation costs of a property. The new ‘Renovation Cost Estimator’ tool encourages home-movers to spend more time considering the renovation potential of homes listed on Rightmove. It aims to provide agents with more high-intent…
Read More
Breaking News

Strong rental supply continues amid seasonal slowdown in demand

Rental supply remained resilient in October, continuing the strong trend seen throughout 2025. Overall, year-to-date figures show new listings up 10% compared with last year, highlighting a sustained improvement in market supply. Average rents edged down by 3% in October 2025 compared with September 2025, settling at £575 per week. This slight dip aligns with…
Read More
Home and Living

Why Choose Wooden Blinds for Your Home?

When it comes to selecting the right window treatments for your home, wooden blinds have long been a popular choice for many homeowners. They not only offer a classic and timeless aesthetic but also provide practical benefits such as durability, versatility, and eco-friendliness. If you’re looking for window coverings that combine style with functionality, wooden…
Read More
Breaking News

Falling rates and rising wages ease first-time buyer challenge

Typical first-time buyer home now costs 5.9 times average earnings – the lowest ratio since 2015 Average monthly mortgage payment is now £1,087 – around £259 less than renting Inverclyde in Scotland is the most affordable location in Britain, Kensington and Chelsea in London the least affordable Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages, Lloyds: “Lower mortgage…
Read More