What's a good part of London to base myself in for a visit?

[GreenBeanMcGee]

I'm going to be visiting a friend in London in early Spring. He only has a few days off and I'd like to spend 5-7 days there. He lives in Herne Hill(which I know nothing about)

I don't want to do the usual touristy stuff.(Nothing wrong with it, I just don't want to do it this time) I'd like to have somewhere where I can just potter about the streets and markets, visit some bookshops and go for a nice lunch and dinner. Just somewhere that's safe to stroll around and has a decent amount of shops and such.

Last time I did similar I was in Camden which was perfect but I've never been South of the river. Any suggestions would be very welcome.

TIA

Greenwich

Another vote for Greenwich or Blackheath.

@SquirmOfEels

Aaah! Fond memories of Cherner Books. I used to get loads of Virago publications from there. I used to live in Crystal Palace Road, East Dulwich.

I live in Herne Hill and I think Wimbledon is actually a good shout. There’s a regular direct train service (Thameslink) which takes about 20 mins and there are other nearby places which would be accessible from Wimbledon (eg Kingston).

London Bridge/Borough/St Paul’s/Victoria also have great train connections to HH. Bloomsbury could also be an option - the number 68 bus goes directly there and would be good for taking in some of the London sights on the top deck!

Anywhere on the 68 bus route really. Most of the areas South of Camberwell are nice.

London Bridge would be perfect! Markets at Borough and bermondsey will be within walking distance and easy access on the tube/rail for neighbourhoods further south.
Aim to get as close to Bermondsey Street as you can.
Failing that, further south try Clapham Common, particularly around Clapham Old Town, plenty of nice shops and cafes and the park for a stroll.

What sort of accommodation are you looking for hotel/Airb&? and budget.
Will you be meeting up with your friend on their working days?
Wimbledon for all it is lovely has fairly limited hotel options and is a fair trek to Hearn Hill.
Croydon that lots of people are scoffing at doesn't have much of what you're looking for the days on your own but does have a good number of budget / mid range hotels and fast access to central London and Hearn Hill.
The area around Waterloo has a good number of hotels is close to HH and easy access to both central London and other areas of SE London.
Clapham isn't that close to Clapham Junction and has limited accommodation and fairly poor connectivity between the tube and overland.

I used to live in Herne Hill pre-gentrification. People who live there now tend to be a bit taken aback that I was robbed at knifepoint on Rosendale Road....

I wouldn't base myself in HH for a week, though. I agree with those suggesting to base yourself in Borough or in the vicinity of the South Bank/Waterloo, and you're right on the spot for strolling on the SB, exhibitions and concerts etc, Tate Modern, the markets at Borough and Bermondsey, good walks both north and south of the river, and well-connected to get to many parts of London.

There's a direct train link from Wimbledon to Herne Hill though @Timperleybell!

And yes, connections to other parts of the city are better from Wimbledon town centre or South Wimbledon - but it's only a short walk up the hill to the village.

Richmond or Hammersmith