SOUTH LONDonER
EUROPE'S
JULY AUGUST
About us
We’ve been producing independent, balanced and community-focused journalism in south London since 1987. We are proud to be a London Living Wage employer.
Our flagship publication, the Southwark News launched in 1987 and is now London’s only independent, paid for newspaper.
We also publish the South London Weekly and Greenwich and Lewisham Weekender every week, as well as the quarterly Bermondsey Biscuit and Rotherhithe Docker
We use 100% recovered paper from the Ortviken papermill in Sweden, a green energy provider who use biofuel instead of oil and provide heat for 10,000 single family homes.
We're based in Bermondsey Square - we'd love to chat if you want to pop in for a cup of coffee and tell us about your business! www.southlondon.co.uk
WHATDOYOUHAVEITTAKESTO BECHAMPION?
Editor Kevin Quinn
Writers Evie Flynn, Michael Holland, Katherine Johnston, Lily Erwood, Louisa Woolf
Design Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen
Marketing Clarry Frewin, Katie Boyd
Media Partnerships Anthony Phillips
Finance Emrah Zeki
Managing Directors Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn
Contact us
emaIL hello@cm-media.co.uk
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Contents
5 HOME SECRETARY Jazz Sundays in Bermondsey, the Big Smoke at Crystal Palace, Greenwich & Docklands Festival and Lower Marsh Lates
7-9 WHAT'S ON Bermondsey Carnival and Carnaval del Pueblo return, and immersive Quiz Boxing
10 FAMILY Albany Theatre workshops, summer family garden trails in Bexley, the Lost Kingdom in Wallington and the National Maritime Museum
18-21 HOME Talking with south London architects District and Nimtim about character and creativity, light and colour
22-25 FOOD & DRINK Three Southwark bakeries make Top 50 Guide, Sammy's at Yellow House, Woolwich Works jerk cookout, Butler's Wharf winebar Luna, and Lai Rai in Peckham
27 WELLBEING Dolled Up, London opens in East Dulwich
30 SHOPPING Salad Days Market twins on bringing out the colourful sides of London
Looking for the coolest new thing to do in London?
Discover the brand-new TV style quiz game: Quiz Boxing, located in the heart of London. Better than on TV as YOU are the one playing!
Assemble your quiz squad of 4 to 12 players, enter the phenomenal TV style arena and let the quiz games commence!
Uppercut, Double-Jab, and Hook your opponents into oblivion and become the champion!
Book now! https://quiz-boxing.co.uk/
JAZZ SUNDAYS IN BERMONDSEY SQUARE
Soak up some sun with free live jazz on the first Sunday of each month at Bermondsey Square.
Enjoy laid-back afternoon sessions from Stephen Pierre and the Jazz Collective, featuring talented music students, graduates, and special guests.
Don’t miss the Pride edition on Sunday 6 July, from 1:30-5:30pm, with live jazz, salsa dancing, and a performance by an LGBTQ+ community choir.
There’s plenty of seating, and you can grab food and drinks from the Bermondsey Square Hotel or nearby cafés and restaurants on Bermondsey street.
Bermondsey Square, SE1 3UN
LOWER MARSH LATES
This summer, Lower Marsh Lates is once again turning Waterloo into a vibrant open-air cinema destination with free film screenings on the last Thursday of each month.
July 31st will be Dirty Dancing, followed by the much-loved classic, Grease on August 28th.
Each evening begins at 5:30pm with a compere to get the energy up, and films start at 6:30pm.
Attendees can enjoy tasty street food and drinks from Lower Marsh Market traders, exclusive offers from local shops, and an on-site bar.
Prizes for the best dressed will be awarded each month, so dress to the theme of each film if you’re feeling it!
Lower Marsh, SE1 7RG
home secretary: What’s on ―
By Louisa Woolf
GREENWICH + DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Celebrating its 30th year, Greenwich and Docklands International Festival returns this summer with 16 days of free outdoor theatre, dance, and circus across southeast London from 22 August to 6 September.
Set in iconic locations including Greenwich Park, Woolwich, Thamesmead, and the Greenwich Peninsula, this year’s theme ‘Above and Beyond’ promises bold, gravity-defying performances.
French company Lézards Bleus open the festival with a spectacular rooftop parkour show in Woolwich, while Thamesmead hosts The Weight of Water, a floating dance-circus spectacle tackling the climate crisis.
Other highlights include Fragments of Us, a new collaboration from Talawa and Fubunation, and the return of Greenwich Fair and Dancing City, spotlighting LGBTQ+ talent.
All performances are free and open to all, celebrating art in unexpected public spaces.
Various locations in Greenwich and Woolwich
BIG SMOKE 2025, CRYSTAL PALACE BOWL
Grime legend Skepta is bringing back the Big Smoke Festival to Crystal Palace bowl on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th August.
Following the huge success of last year’s debut, the festival is back with another multi-genre lineup, handpicked by the Mercury Prize-winning artist.
Fans can expect high-energy performances from artists including JME, Central Cee, Chip, BXKS, and Skyla Tylaa.
Skepta will headline himself on Saturday night, and said: “Big Smoke is a festival in London, for London and I can’t wait for fans to see what we’ve got planned for this year’s edition.”
The festival celebrates the best of UK music culture and brings together both rising stars and established names for an unmissable weekend in South London.
Crystal Palace Bowl, SE19 2BA
The Weight of Water
Jazz in Bermondsey Square
q Docklands Festival. © Luisa Valares
Bermondsey Carnival is back for Bank Holiday
UK garage legends DJ Luck & MC Neat to headline
By Louisa Woolf
Bermondsey Carnival returns to Southwark Park this August Bank Holiday Monday (the 25th) promising another day of music, community and celebration.
After attracting over 5,500 people last year, the 2025 edition brings even more energy, with UK garage legends DJ Luck & MC Neat confirmed to headline - with a little bit of luck, the sun will be shining all day.
Expect a full day of live music, DJs, street food, funfair rides and market traders from the Blue.
This year also sees football activities run by Millwall and the Millwall Community Trust, including skillbuilding sessions and 5-a-side matches, alongside a
60-minute boxing workout and Pilates class led by Roosters Gym.
With something for all ages, from family-friendly activities to dancefloor fillers, Bermondsey Carnival continues to be a multigenerational highlight in the summer calendar.
Arrive early, stay late, and soak up the atmosphere, entry is free.
Southwark Park, SE16 2TX Monday 25 August from 1pm til 9pm For more details go to https://www.bermondseycarnival.com
ECarnaval del Pueblo returns to Burgess Park
By Claudia Macaluso
urope’s largest Latin American festival, Carnaval del Pueblo, will return on Sunday 10 August, transforming Burgess Park into a vibrant celebration of music, dance and culture.
The free event, running from 12pm to 9pm will feature live performances, and an array of traditional food and crafts.
Once in the park, three stages, including the main stage and dedicated Andean and Brazilian areas, will host performances from prominent Latin American artists.
Festival-goers will also be able to enjoy a salsa dance floor, children’s activities, and over 200 stalls selling regional food, drinks, and crafts.
Organisers have asked people to leave their dogs at home and avoid travelling by car if possible.
Marking the Bicentenary of Independence for several Latin American countries, this year’s festival aims to break the Guinness World Record for the largest salsa dance.
The festival is supported by Arts Council England and continues to grow in popularity, drawing visitors from across London and beyond.
Festival founder Nuala Riddell-Morales said: “This is more than a carnival, it is a platform for London to learn from Latin America, about community, resilience, and joy."
Bermondsey carnival. © Jake Farey
Quiz Boxing
By Evie Flynn
Have you ever envisioned yourself as a contestant on a TV game show? Or maybe you are looking for an alternative evening activity in South London that offers something more memorable than the usual pub or dinner?
Now you can step into the spotlight (quite literally) in the heart of Southwark with the arrival of Quiz Boxing, a brand new immersive experience designed to bring the fun and intensity of a TV game show to life.
The team behind Quiz Boxing opened their first London venue in Camden back in 2023, having numerous Quiz Boxing venues in France. They extended their vision to Southwark, opening a brand-new game space on Ewer Street in May. It’s located just a five minute walk from Southwark tube station and ten minutes from London Bridge.
Quiz Boxing is designed to drop you into the heart of a fast-paced quiz show environment, where you can test your trivia skills and friendships whilst simultaneously fuelling your competitive side.
Suitable for groups of four to twelve, the new venue places contestants within ‘game arenas’ featuring six game podiums, so you can choose to play individually in a group of six or in pairs in a group of twelve. It’s set in a Mixed Martial Arts cage, with smoke-machines, sound and lighting, all adding to the drama of a gameshow.
Despite the prominence of ‘boxing’ in its name, there’s no physical contact involved at Quiz Boxing. Instead, it's described as ‘a battle of the mind’, where each player is given a selection of boxing themed wildcards to use against their opponents.
An ‘uppercut’ prevents a player from earning their points, a ‘hook’ steals the points from another player and a ‘double-jab’ lets you choose a player and double your winnings if they answer correctly.
The team behind the game describe Quiz Boxing as a “place where you can scream at your friends and get away with it.” It really is just you and your opponents in the room, with the moderator and referee being virtual.
Within six rounds of questions, players get the opportunity to personalise the categories, choosing a range of themes, including the TV, cinema, music, sports, history, geography and pop culture. But, it’s not all about how wellread you are, some questions and situations require you to be savvy as well as smart.
The game itself lasts 60 minutes and there’s an opportunity to fully customise the percentage of each theme to really cater for yours and your teams tastes.
A trip to Quiz Boxing is suitable for all sorts of groups, from a family or friend day out, team bonding events, birthdays, or Hen / Stag-dos.
Location: 60 Ewer Street, SE1 0NR
Price: £25 per player (aged 12+)
Duration: 60 minutes
Website: https://quiz-boxing.co.uk/
Southwark's new immersive experience, where you can become a TV show contestant
Family events
―
By Abigail Finney
Montage at the Albany
Children aged 5-12 can learn skills in singing, dancing, and acting in the three week-long courses the Albany Theatre is offering.
Each week has a different performance– Outside In, Secret Garden Party and Montage at the Movies. Each play is inspired by a famous movie such as Inside Out and Alice in Wonderland.
Family and friends will be able to join the fun at the end of each week as the children put on a show.
July 28- August 15, each session is Monday-Friday 9:30-16:30
Albany Theatre, Deptford, SE8 £10-65
Booking on Albany Theatre’s website
The Lost Kingdom
Take a time capsule to the Jurassic/Triassic era and take a close look at dinosaurs from that time.
Featuring over 50 impressive installations of animatronic dinosaurs with moving parts, the Lost
Kingdom is a highly educational and entertaining family event perfect for the summer in The Grange Gardens in Wallington, deep south past Sutton and into Surrey.
Each installation will have an educational information panel covering, allowing visitors to test their knowledge.
There will also be a range of street food and drink stalls, merchandise trailer and a fossil dig pit, where younger children can play at being mini Paleontologists!
Jul. 25- Aug. 10
Daily from 10:00 a.m
The Grange Gardens in Beddington Park, Wallington, London
£12.50 for kids, £14.50 for adults https://www.allinlondon.co.uk/whats-on/event234905-the-lost-kingdom
Summer Family Garden Trail
Take a jaunt into what used to be the ancient wilderness in Bexley.
Families will have the chance to fill out a trail sheet and learn about the animals that used to live there. Through the walk, visitors will be able to experience the location of stories of heroes, fools, fear and incredible adventures that have been passed down the generations.
Children who complete the tasks assigned will be given a sweet prize at the end of the adventure.
Aug. 1-31
Daily from 10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m
Hall Place and Gardens, Bourne Road Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ
£3 per trail card https://www.hallplace.org.uk/event/2/
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is offering a variety of fun activities that allow children to learn more about the ocean.
Tuesdays are marked for outdoor activities while Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sundays are craft days. On Saturdays, musicians and storytellers will lead the whole family through tales from the sea.
All of the events are free and do not require booking in advance.
Jul. 23- Aug. 31
Various times daily except Mondays
National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, London SE10 9NF
Price: free
https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/nationalmaritime-museum/ocean-above-below
National Maritime Museum –“Ocean Above Below”
W e l o o k f o r w a r d t o y o u r v i s i t !
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w w w . t h e f a n m u s e u m . c o . u k
@ t h e f a n m u s e u m h
Kiln it in Tulse Hill: Parade Mews Pottery inspires a love of creating
―
By Abigail Finney
Melissa Pritchard has spent over two decades creating a space that allows people of all ages and skill levels to enjoy the art of pottery. She decided from a young age that she wanted to live her life doing something she was passionate about. Pottery has always been one of the loves of her life.
Every week of her childhood, her mum would carefully drive her eight miles to school, Melissa's half-dry creation from the weekend gently rattling in the back.
“It was very tricky,” she remembers. “It had obviously dried out a bit and going over bumps and the road… I’d be like ‘stop, stop. Oh, great.’”
She would have to fix a few minor cracks or smudges from the car ride when she arrived, but it was well worth the trouble.
All these years later, pottery still brings her the same joy. Her studio is tucked in a little alley, a haven from the hustle and bustle of south London.
All year round, Parade Mews Pottery in Tulse Hill welcomes a number of eager people who want to try their hand at pottery. They host everything
from kids' classes to open sessions for professional potters.
For first time visitors, every step is explained and you’re guided through the process.
“We have lots of samples,” Melissa explains. “For example, if it's a small pot it’s very achievable. We might start off inspiring people, so we always start with the examples so we can start from there.”
While you can have a one-time visit such as a birthday party or a night of Prosecco with your girlfriends, Parade Mews also offers longer courses that allow you to expand your talents.
Children are able to come to the studio once a week and gradually learn various skills, while also crafting things that interest them the most. While everyone works on different projects, they all learn the same fundamental ideologies behind pottery.
Sitting on shelves along the wall, lemon squeezers, ceramic pancakes, and various bowls and cups sit in different stages of completion. An area in the corner was full of African elephants from a recent school group that visited.
“After school sessions happen weekly. They do more complex projects, but when you have a two hour session we often end up sculpting some sort of creature,” Melissa says.
Another popular class is the bubble session. Created during the COVID-19 pandemic, bubble sessions allow for a family to come in together and have a private class. While some families opt to create something together, others decide to create individual projects.
At the end of the day, Parade Mews works to create a community around a shared love of art.
Many people often come in after a long day at work or school, sit down around a table and chat while they use their creative side. An outlet that can be used by everyone, pottery is an inclusive art that is enjoyed around the world.
Parade Mews Pottery, 7 Parade Mews, Norwood Road, London SE27 9AX
Open Sunday to Monday, hours vary, check website Cost - £68-160 for single class website: https://www.parademewspottery.co.uk/ classes
PaPer StorieS: coffee, collage and community
By Katherine Johnston
Paper Stories may only have opened three years ago, but in that time it’s become a beloved staple for kids and adults alike. The woman behind the UK’s first dedicated paper craft cafe, 35-year-old Milly Youngs, says there was never anywhere but South London for her venture.
“I’d had this dream, since my early 20s, to open a place on the high street where you could come and craft and sit with a coffee and a glass of wine,” Milly Youngs tells me. While pottery painting shops and high-priced craft workshops have cropped up all over London, Milly saw a gap in the market for one of her own favourite activities - paper crafting.
“I've always loved collaging,” she explains. “It's mindful, easy to pick up and brilliant for cognitive development. Here the idea was born. Create a local paper craft space with the relaxed feel of a cafe. A space which appealed to all ages and demographics, with kits that cost less than the price of a cinema ticket.”
In April 2022 she took a leap of faith, quitting her job in content marketing, and Paper Stories came to life; a craft cafe and wine bar with the tagline ‘sip, make, unfold’ in West Norwood.
Now she also runs a sister branch, Walcott Stores in
Kennington, which celebrated its one year anniversary in March. A micro-version of the original, it serves up coffee by day and creative workshops in the evening in a former 19th-century corner shop in Walcot Square, which you may recognise from Netflix’s One Day.
A passionate South Londoner, Milly grew up in Forest Hill and is a former Sydenham High and St Olave’s Sixth Form pupil. While working in content marketing, over several years she dreamt of making her idea a reality, developing the business plan and learning the skills needed with help from a free startup business course in Croydon as she ‘saved every penny’.
And it was a real family effort. After applying for a small business loan she commissioned her mum to design the first collage kits while she searched for the all-important shop location.
“When I started looking for spaces, it was always going to be in south London,” she says, “I’ve always lived here. Never left.”
It was hard going, with tenancy applications rejected once after the other as landlords were unwilling to take a punt on her first business. Finally, one said yes, and the let on a small, former post office building was agreed. Milly resigned from her office job and was officially the
owner of a brand new business in Norwood.
“I spent every waking hour for the next three months restoring the shop front and renovating the space,” she says.
She says people of all ages come in to collage, get their caffeine fix or enjoy a glass of wine, seven days a week.
Alongside a craft programme in the holidays for kids and parents, there are 2hr craft workshops every Saturday and Sunday, and the space can be hired for parties and events including kids' parties.
Events hosted range from kids' birthdays to teambuilding workshops, with a host of 5* reviews online and influencer fans like author and content creator Liv Purvis.
Supporting its community is at the heart of Paper
Stories. Collage kits are priced at just £5, with no limit on how many people can join or how long they can stay. Free workshops they’ve hosted include a zine workshop for pupils from local schools.
The team have also partnered with Old Spike Roastery, their coffee supplier, who are the UK’s first social enterprise speciality coffee roasters. They put 60 per cent of their profits back into tackling homelessness. Milly is working with Old Spike to employ trainees experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Like all small business owners, she has to meet the challenges faced by our often struggling high streets.
Reflecting on three years at the helm, Milly says:
“It’s not been easy, you kind of have to go into business with a hopeful optimism and a little naivety. But it has been amazing. The community I have built is fantastic and it’s growing every year. We are putting on more workshops all the time and lots of lovely things are coming over the next few months.”
A few days after we speak, in an email, she says: “It’s tough to envision a bright future for the high street. However, I really believe that independent shops and creative spaces, such as mine, are the vibrant heart of our communities; they foster connections, relaxation, and inspiration.”
Grab your drink of choice, a collage kit, and find out for yourself.
Paper Stories, 234 Gipsy Road, Norwood, SE27 9BJ paper-stories.co.uk
Milly Youngs, Paper Stories founder
Grounding and uplifting practices for all abilities
Oca London – Yoga, Movement, Mindfulness & Rituals
A sanctuary in Bermondsey for mind, body and spirit with a Brazilian soul. Rooted in ancient practices for modern life, we offer a space to move, breathe, laugh and connect. There’s a practice here for everyone to honour your energy, your rhythm and your journey.
We offer yoga for beginners, elders, pregnancy, mum & baby, aerial yoga, fit dance, soundbaths, cacao ceremonies and much more.
At Oca, we’re all about community, belonging, and reconnecting with ourselves, with each other and ultimately with nature, remembering that we are not separate.
Come as you are, leave connected.
www.ocalondon.com | oi@ocalondon.com| @ocalondon Decima studios, 17-19 decima street SE1 4QR +447882943532
A love letter to south London
As told to By Abigail Finney
Brown & Co Framing, a family-run company based in Peckham Rye, have been working to frame south London since 1985. Owned by a mother and daughter duo, Pauline and Zoe, the two love art- and framing it, of course. Here are a few of their favourite parts of South London...
How long have you been in South London and what has been the biggest change you’ve seen?
We have been trading in Peckham Rye/ East Dulwich since 1985 - we are celebrating 40 years this year.
What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever framed?
We framed a mummified cat head once! That was unusual!
If you could only go to one restaurant in Peckham for the rest of your life, where would you go?
I am loving Kokum at the moment. They are at the end of our parade on Goose Green, they do amazing modern Indian food, classic flavours, unusual ingredients, I love it.
What is the rose and thorn of working as a mother and daughter duo?
I feel very lucky to be able to work alongside my Mum, this time together is precious. She is a powerhouse, an amazing problem solver and maker, Mum ran the business single handed pretty much for 30 years and I have a lot to learn from her!
We do clash sometimes when the pressure is on, but I'm grateful to have someone I can be unconditionally disagreeable with, although she may have something different to say about that!
As art lovers, where is your favourite gallery in South London and why?
We are lucky in this pocket of South London to have the Dulwich Picture Gallery nearby and The South London Gallery.
Dulwich festival and the Nunhead Art trial are great moments to engage directly with local artists.
There is also a really unusual spot nearby called the 'House of Dreams' - I encourage all to visit, it is great fun, and a homage to outsider art.
There is also the Bethlem Gallery, which is an organisation that works to highlight issues around mental health through engagement with artistic practise - the program is really interesting and they also sell works in case anyone is looking to expand their art collections!
If someone was visiting South London for the first time and you only had one hour to show them around, where would you take them and why?
I would take a stroll with them up Rye Lane, selfishly because I rarely get time out of the shop and I love to walk up the Lane and check out what is new. It changes and shifts so much, it is the living, thriving beating heart of our area - a wonderful example of just how brilliant South London is.
Have you had any famous clients?
We have had all sorts of people through the doors over the last 40 years - too many to mention!
I was thinking about Zandra Rhodes recently, she worked with Southwark Council back in the day alongside Anthony Gormley in an initiative to infuse the local area with some art.
Zandra Rhodes designed our paving and lampposts, much of it now has been removed unfortunately but the paving still exists and is really great, we are in the process of trying to restore it to its former glory!
If you could frame one view in south London what would it be?
The view from Telegraph hill is just the best, it is a gathering spot for sunset, then perhaps a quick descent for a pint at Skeehans!
Is there a particular south London masterpiece that you would love to frame?
Definitely the mysterious disappearing Banksy stop sign or the wolf satellite dish they would be great fun to frame, if only we could find them!
Brown & Co Framing address: 44 E Dulwich Road, London SE22 9AX
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 5:00pm
Contact: info@brownandcoframing.co.uk
The Peckhambased architects who know how to transform South London homes to give more light, life and colour
Many people dream of putting a spin on their homes, the possibility of making a colourful modern space an exciting thought.
By Abigail Finney
District Architects based in Peckham has been working to professionally create – and recreate –spaces since 2016. Often adding pops of vibrant colour, large windows and modern geographic shapes, the company works to design a sleek home for everyone.
But not everything has to do with the physical appearance, a lot of homeowners in South London have issues with the practicality of a home. District Architects told us they often work to build more spaces for growing families, or creating a space for hosting more friends.
“Yes, I think homes are investments, but they’re also very much emotional parts of our lives and that’s the story we try to tell through our work as well,” District Architects Director Alexandra Rees said.
A recent project, Sitting Pink, utilized a home’s long interior and outdoor space to create a new, stunning home that exudes creativity.
If a transformation like this is something that intrigues you, here is a snapshot of what it takes to get there:
It all starts with a visit. The most important thing is why you’re wanting the change. Knowing whether it’s space, just a new look or something entirely different will help you get the most for your money. After discussing what you’re looking for, the design period starts.
From planning to finishing a project is typically 18 months, though it all depends on the project.
“The design phase is kind of feasibility, planning, concrete detail, procuring all the details and finishes, then you have about six to eight months of the build,” Director and architect Michael Rees said.
Many people want to stay in their home during the building process, but it can cause setbacks and issues. While builders prefers the home empty, they can set hard barriers of building space and living space if needed.
The process can be quite costly. Projects are likely to reach tens of thousands of pounds if not more.
Though, District Architects works to ensure that the money is used in the best way possible, which can mean spending more money. If a client is spending a lot of money, it’s best to make sure they are truly getting what they want, no cutting corners.
“You can spend £80,000 really badly or you can spend £100,000 really well,” Michael said. “We care about our clients and we care about the money that
they’re spending.”
In the end, clients have come back saying that a new space has changed the way they live in their home.
“We’ve been told ‘I interact with my kids more now because the playroom is right in front of me,’” Alexandra said.
If you can’t afford the price tag or the timeline of a professional job, here are two quick tips that District Architects has to offer.
Don’t shy away from large pieces of furniture
If you’re trying to make a space appear bigger, don’t be afraid to add in large furniture pieces, Senior Architect and Build Lead Simon Roscoe advises. It’s important not to overdo it, though.
“You can’t ask too much of a space,” Roscoe said.
A pop of colour adds character
Colour and lighting can make a space come to life and feel bigger, even if you don’t add square footage.
“It’s all about personality, you know,” Roscoe said. “It might come from either a couple pieces of furniture or a couple pieces of artwork.”
Get in touch with District Architects: Address: Arch 837, Brayards Road SE15 2AG Contact: 020 7871 3101 or getintouch@districtarchitects.co.uk
Affordable solid wood frames, fitted to your artwork ( which last longer than a couple of summers )
East Dulwich based architects and interior designers Nimtim share their unique approach to creating homes that are full of personality and purpose.
Literally named after the founders Nimi and Tim, the pair launched the practice back in 2014. Nimi was born and bred in South London, brought up in Herne Hill, and brings an innate love for the area into her design choices. She’s also a qualified garden and landscape designer, which adds an extra layer of texture to their projects.
Nimi has fond memories of South London hotspots like Brixton Market, which she loved visiting as a child. “The vibrancy, colours, noise, people and energy was something I found so exciting,” she says. “We both love the sense of community you get in each area, with access to all the benefits of a globally significant metropolis.”
One standout recent project, Hemp House near Crystal Palace, transformed a modest 1930s semi into a carbon-negative family home. The scheme includes a timber extension and kitchen redesign, using healthy, breathable materials throughout.
Alongside the core architectural services, they also offer interior design, kitchen design and joinery. We asked the team how the finishing works - do Nimtim or the client choose how the home is ultimately styled?
“One of the key attributes of working with
Nimtim Architects: ―
The architects layering history, character and creativity in South London
By Evie Flynn
homeowners is to be flexible,” Nimi explains. “Some of our clients love choosing finishes and fittings, others are happy to let us get on with it.”
Viewing South London through an architectural lens reveals a treasure trove of hidden gems.
Nimi explained how they often find unexpected historical quirks and discoveries, which in turn reinvents their design response and influences their craftsmanship.
“We worked on a house that has access to a private woodland shared by only a few homes,” she says. “We’re also working on a house originally built for workers at a nearby blancmange factory. You can never quite predict what you're going to find.”
They moved into a new office in East Dulwich last year which was previously a Victorian launderette.
The couple now live in Forest Hill surrounded by the rich mix of architectural styles that inspires them. “It includes such a variety of housing typologies from almost all of London’s significant building periods - Victorian terraces, 1960s estates, Georgian villas, 1930s semis…”
Alongside the build and decoration, they also offer home buyer consultations for people looking to purchase a new property. Their initial consultation (£125 + VAT) can be held online or at their SE22 studio, you can receive high level advice, sketches, designs and whatever else you want to run through.
For more in-depth a half-day consultation (£350 + VAT) or full-day service (£750 + VAT) includes an on-site briefing, a meeting with a senior team member, and a measured survey to produce existing plans.
https://www.nimtim.co.uk
nimtim architects, Unit 1, 17-19 Blackwater Street, London, SE22 8SD
Hemp House exterior transformation
q © Megan Taylor
OUTSIDE BY TRINITY, CLAPHAM
Clapham’s new sandwich truck, Outside by Trinity, is turning takeaway lunches into something special. Located on the terrace of Trinity restaurant, it offers “proper cooking, just in a sandwich”.
Helmed by Michelin-starred Trinity chef India, the menu features fresh ciabatta sandwiches packed with bold flavours. Choose from smoked pork Reuben, sumac roast veg, red curry prawn, aubergine parm, or the weekly changing specials, all paired with loaded chips.
Drinks include Trinity beer on tap and wines by the glass. They also offer a weekly-changing soft serve for dessert.
Though mostly takeaway, you can grab a seat on the terrace and soak up the atmosphere.
Since opening, they say they’ve been overwhelmed by the response and are selling out daily.
4 The Polygon, Clapham, SW4 0JG.
Bitesize
By Louisa Woolf
DINNER FOR ONE HUNDRED AT HOOTANANNY, BRIXTON
One of South London’s favourite pizza crews, Dinner For One Hundred, has landed a new home in Brixton, this time in the garden of legendary pub Hootananny.
Since the start of summer, they’ve been selling their much-loved pizzas from the back garden, with plenty of space to eat, drink, and soak up the good vibes.
Top picks include the Macgyver (chorizo, whipped feta, hot honey, crushed fennel) and the La Parmigiana (roasted aubergine, parmesan, basil), plus a strong line-up of dips on the side.
You can eat in the pub’s massive beer garden or grab a pizza to-go, perfect for a picnic in Brockwell Park, just a couple minutes walk away.
They’re open on Wednesday and Thursdays from 5-10pm, Fridays from 3-10pm and midday til 10pm on the weekends.
Pizza, pints, and an iconic Brixton venue makes for a pretty solid South London setup.
Hootenanny Brixton, 95 Effra Road, SW2 1DF.
LAI RAI
Lai Rai, meaning ‘little by little’ is Peckham’s newest hangout, inspired by the Vietnamese tradition of bia hơi, meeting friends over cold beer and snacks. The all-day spot opened on Rye Lane in June and is walk-in only. By day, they’re serving strong Vietnamese coffee and loaded bánh mì (including a vegan one with whipped tofu pâté). In the evening, the menu gets more experimental, featuring small plates and larger sharing dishes like crispy chicken, prawns on sugarcane with peanut satay, and grilled betel leaf beef with coffee BBQ jus.
The cocktail menu is also bold, and includes a Cà Phê Martini, a blend of Espresso Martini and Vietnamese coffee.
It’s the latest from the Bánh Bánh team, a group of second-generation Vietnamese siblings raised in Peckham.
181 Rye Lane, SE15 4TP.
LUNA
Luna, a new wine bar from the team behind Legare, is coming to Butler’s Wharf this month. It has room for 28 in the cosy inside space, featuring warm wood panelling, candlelit tables, Moroccan tiles, and nostalgic artwork.
The bar also boasts an outdoor terrace with additional seating for up to 8 people, with views of the Thames and Tower Bridge.
Luna focuses on biodynamic wines, which follow lunar cycles, mixing well-known producers with those using ethical farming methods. One standout on the list is Burgundy winemaker Athénaïs de Béru.
The food menu will include fresh oysters, crudos, carpaccios sliced to order, and crispy fries, simple dishes that pair perfectly with the wine.
Luna is opening this July, follow on Instagram for updates @luna_winebar.
Unit 6, 36 Shad Thames, Butlers Wharf Building, SE1 2YE
WOOLWICH WORKS JERK COOKOUT
After 18 successful years at the Horniman Museum, The Original Jerk Cookout is making its debut at Woolwich Works this summer, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever.
Across two days (Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July), your ticket gets you access to either an afternoon or evening session packed with flavour and vibes. Expect a top-tier lineup of live music and DJs, a wide range of jerk street food stalls, craft cocktails, rum bars, and familyfriendly fun.
There’ll also be wellness sessions, art and culture installations, and a strong Caribbean market atmosphere.
Whether you're going for the food, the music, or both, this is a celebration of Caribbean culture you won’t want to miss. Adult tickets are £13.75 and children’s are £5.50.
Woolwich Works, Royal Arsenal, SE18 6HD.
The three Southwark Bakeries in the Good Food Guide's Top 50'
By Louisa Woolf
Having travelled hundreds of miles across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, The Good Food Guide revealed their top 50 bakeries in the UK, with all three South London entries in Southwark.
The anonymous inspectors are experts and this well-respected guide has been going for 75 years, so to get in the top 50 spot is a massive achievement.
Bunhead, on Dulwich Road in Herne Hill, Eric’s on Upland Road in East Dulwich and Toad Bakery, on Peckham Road in Camberwell were selected by the judges.
Bunhead, launched in lockdown, is described in the guide as a “proper neighbourhood bakery with a community feel and queues out the door.”
It was founded by South-London-born Palestinian Sara Assad-Mannings, whose speciality is sweet, sticky buns which are “shot through with genuine Palestinian flavours (many ingredients are imported direct from the home country).”
The guide says: “Try the tahini and molasses bun or the tahini, labneh and Guinness cake, but also look out for a syrupy twist on the classic Palestinian pudding, knafeh.
“The cinnamon buns are another highlight, and there are savoury options too, such as feta brownies and salty zaatar buns.”
Meanwhile, Eric’s is described in the guide as having ‘arguably the best croissants in London (if not the UK)’ was opened in 2023, by Dulwich local and ex-Flor baker, Helen Evans.
Just two years in April 2023 we wrote that it was with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to Borough Market’s superlative bakery Flor last year, but London Bridge’s loss was East Dulwich’s gain, because Flor’s former head baker Helen Evans has opened her own bakehouse and it has been a huge, huge
success story.
While over in Camberwell, Toad Bakery which opened in 2022 as Frog before being forced to change its name has built somewhat of a cult following and is run by Oliver Costello and Rebecca Spaven, with sweet treats including almond croissants, saffron and vanilla tea cakes or yuzu orange Jaffa mini cakes
The guide says: “At the weekend, you may have to join a lengthy queue if you accidentally hit peak time, such is the popularity of this small, crowdfunded Camberwell bakery where excellent bread is a given.
“Sourdough is long-fermented and made from UK-grown, sustainably farmed grain, but the stars of the show are the pastries.”
Sara AssadMannings and Georgia Wickremeratne of Bunhead Bakery.
Photo by Safia Shakarchi
Bunhead bakery produce
Eric's
Sammy’s at The Yellow House: A fresh chapter for a beloved Surrey Quays favourite
When The Yellow House restaurant closed its doors in January after 21 years in Surrey Quays, it felt like the end of an era. But just a few weeks later, a familiar team returned to the same spot with Sammy’s at The Yellow House, a new venture that feels more like a gentle evolution than a radical rebrand.
“We met up a couple of times during January to discuss the closure and the future, and that was when Samuel proposed a ‘pop-up’ Valentine’s Day menu,” says co-founder Jaime.
“The weekend was a success and we received terrific feedback, which encouraged us to open Sammy’s during the weekends at first, and then five days each week from the end of March 2025.”
For over two decades, The Yellow House was a much-loved fixture in the neighbourhood, known for its wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas and warm, understated charm. And while the name on the sign has changed, the spirit inside remains intact. Chefs Samuel, (who worked at the Yellow House for 17 years) and Jaime (one of its cofounders), are now leading the charge at Sammy’s, serving up thoughtful, seasonal cooking that blends French bistro staples with the odd fiery, fusion surprise.
They’ve kept a lot of the old favourite dishes, including their steak specials, they explain. “Over the years we realised that our customers also enjoy the choice of a few spicier dishes, such as the crispy chilli prawns with red onion & saffron khichdi, so we include a few of these from time to time to keep the menu interesting for our regulars.”
The menu shifts weekly, but recent standouts
include grilled English lamb with Mediterranean vegetables and olive tapenade, a dish that’s fast becoming a signature. Steaks are a house specialty, with Samuel’s classical French cooking background coming through with each plate. And the woodfired oven is still serving up pizzas, like they used to at the Yellow House.
The team are planning a gentle refurbishment later this year, with the aim of transforming the bar and lounge into a cosy, candlelit space. They say they are “excited and optimistic about plans to transform the bar area later this year into a cosy French-style Sammy’s bistro & wine bar.”
Given its spot on a busy junction (and the disruption of Canada Water’s ongoing redevelopment), Sammy’s could easily feel like an overlooked corner of south London, but not once you step inside.
There’s a terrace for summer evenings, a logburning stove for winter dinners, and a welcome that feels personal and familiar.
For Surrey Quay locals, and anyone craving classic comfort food with a dash of flair, Sammy’s is worth the trip.
Sammy’s offers steak night specials on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, including a choice steak frites or grilled spicy chicken & fries (and a couple of other options) for £15 each.
The kitchen is open from 5:30pm on Wednesdays to Saturdays, and from 2pm until 7:30pm on Sundays.
Sammy’s Bistro, 126 Lower Road, SE16 2UE sammysbistro.co.uk
Chef Jaime Sammy's Steak Frites
Chef Samuel Barman James
By Louisa Woolf
Are you tired of searching for top-quality meat that satisfies your taste buds? Look no further than the Proud Sow! With years of expertise and a passion for perfection, we believe in the art of butchery.
What sets us apart is our commitment to locally sourced products. We work directly with trusted farmers who share our dedication to ethical farming practices and superior animal welfare.
We take pride in creating a personal and welcoming experience for all our customers.
When it comes to your meat, settle for nothing but the best. Trust the Proud Sow to bring you the ultimate culinary adventure. Visit us today!
Kate Mollett, founder and owner of Dolled Up London, trained for six years in aesthetics and has recently opened a brand-new beauty salon on Lordship Lane, Dulwich.
After a six-month refurbishment, the clinic is now open, offering dermal filler, anti-wrinkle treatments, skin boosters, vitamin injections, facials, and other non-medical procedures. The wide offering of aesthetic practices is always being expanded, and Kate ensures she keeps up to date on new developments and trends in the industry.
Dolled Up London’s clientele is as broad as its treatments, offering services for a range of people, from younger to more mature clients, with desired results that differ extensively from person to person.
Kate explains the different processes and results of her injections:
Dermal filler: One of their most popular treatments, used to inject plumpness and volume into the lips or reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. These fillers yield immediate results and last anywhere between six to eighteen months.
Other injections include anti-wrinkle treatments, particularly focused around the forehead, frown lines, and crow’s feet. Anti-wrinkle treatment works by relaxing the targeted muscles, which then stop contracting and puts less stress on the skin. These aren’t immediate, and it can take up to 14 days to see results.
Skin boosters have a thin consistency and a greater spread; they can soften fine lines, hydrate, and improve the texture and condition of the skin.
The salon also offers a range of facial treatments, such as dermaplaning, a method of manually exfoliating the skin to remove dead skin and fine hair. Microneedling is also a popular choice, where a group of sterile microneedles puncture the skin of the face to promote the growth of collagen and new skin tissue.
Originally from Bermondsey, Kate said: “I always wanted to open a studio in Dulwich, and I’ve looked here for a shop since I started.” She has found the move to Dulwich smooth, with local businesses on Lordship Lane being extremely welcoming and supportive.
Kate is currently completing her level 7 qualification in aesthetic practice, the highest qualification in the field. She offers free consultations at the salon and works on an individual basis, listening to what you want, but also offering her expert advice and suggestions.
We asked Kate what the future holds for Dolled Up London: “Lots of new things come out all the time,” she said. “We are looking at polynucleotides, which is DNA used to rejuvenate skin, elastin, and collagen.
"My main aim is to continue looking after mature clients and continue prepping the skin before treatments to protect it.”
Kate also runs a sister business, Dolled Up Tanning, which specialises in UV tanning beds, at the same studio on Lordship Lane.
Dolled Up London is always taking on new clients. Contact +44 7497 393951 on WhatsApp to book.
Dolled Up London 209 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE22 8HA https://www.dolleduplondon.co.uk
Dolled Up London: ―
A new hub for aesthetics opens up on Lordship Lane, Dulwich
By Evie Flynn
Kate - Dolled up, London
Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes Electronic Keyboard Music Workshops
From 28th July 2025
Beckenham, Clapham, Herne Hill, Streatham
Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes’ 3 hour workshops are a perfect opportunity for beginners to try the electronic keyboard and make music the fun way! We teach small groups how to read & write music with all equipment provided & fun art sessions thrown in for variety. With expert teachers and using our unique scheme, it's a wonderful, relaxed introduction to practical and theoretical music
Half day workshops, 4-8 yrs. 10am-1pm, £40/£35
See website for venues, dates & to book www.funkymonkey.info 01732 457100 mail@funkymonkey.info
Rosemead wins Prep School of the Year at Oscars of Education
Rosemead Preparatory School and Nursery, Dulwich, is proud to announce that it has been named Independent Prep School of the Year at the Tes Schools Awards 2025.
The prestigious awards, often referred to as the Oscars of education, celebrate the most outstanding schools and teachers across the UK’s state and independent sectors, recognising excellence from early years through to secondary education.
The glittering awards ceremony took place on Friday 20 June at the Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane, London, where Rosemead was honoured alongside other exceptional schools and educators.
Speaking about the accolade, Head, Graeme McCafferty, said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to have won this national award. It is a moment of immense pride for our entire community – staff, pupils and families alike.
‘At Rosemead, we adopt a child-centred approach, ensuring every child is truly known and celebrated. By recognising and nurturing individual strengths and talents, we enable every child to flourish and excel. This award is testament to the dedication, passion and care of our brilliant staff team and the spirit of our children.’
Graeme continued: ‘This recognition strengthens our commitment to providing a nurturing and inspiring environment where children grow, learn, and thrive. We will continue to champion the achievements, talents and aspirations of every pupil in our care.’
The judging panel, made up of leading figures from across the education sector, praised Rosemead for its personalised approach, vibrant community and holistic educational offering.
In February 2023, Rosemead joined the St Dunstan’s Education Group, a move that has helped strengthen the school’s vision and strategic development.
Nick Hewlett, CEO of the Group, said: ‘This is a phenomenal achievement for Rosemead and richly deserved. The school has been on an extraordinary journey, and I pay huge tribute to Graeme and the leadership team who have transformed this school. It has been a joy to welcome Rosemead into the Group. The Good Schools Guide was absolutely right to call Rosemead the “one to watch” in south London – and now the Tes Schools Awards have confirmed it.’
This latest recognition builds on a series
of recent successes. In the last academic year, Rosemead won two prestigious awards – for Excellence and Innovation in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Awards, and Best EDIB (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging) at the Education Choices Awards 2024.
Rosemead was also one of the first prep
schools in the country to receive a significant strength in its most recent ISI inspection, which commended the school for its ‘highly customised approach to every pupil’s academic progress.’
Following the win at the Tes Schools Awards, Rosemead was also shortlisted for Independent School of the Year for Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ)
at Independent Schools of the Year Awards. Winners are announced later this year.
Find out more about Rosemead’s award-winning education at their upcoming open morning on Saturday 4 October 2025. Book at www.rosemeadprep.org.uk
Salad Days Market bringing out the colorful sides of London
By Abigail Finney Photographer: Beatrice Granados
Twin sisters Liv and Dais Tinker’s lives took a major change when they opened Salad Days market in December 2019.
No, they don’t sell salads – a question they often have to answer. Instead the market bolsters handmade goods and pre-loved items from local vendors right here in south London.
The name comes from a saying that deeply resonates with both of the Tinker sisters.
“Salad Days is basically like, you’re young, you’re trying something new, you’re having fun, you’re just living your best days,” Liv said. “When we came across that phrase it just really felt like it really typified what we’re trying to do.”
As avid-shoppers themselves, Liv and Dais often found themselves having to travel to north or east London to shop at markets. One day, Dais saw that you could rent a room upstairs in Crystal Palace Library. On a whim, she texted her twin and proposed opening a market there.
“We kind of agreed that it would be a cool thing to do, and living in south London, we could never find events we wanted to go to,” Dais said.
Little did they know this would be a major turning point in their lives.
While they both worked for large fashion companies such as ASOS and H&M, neither of them had experience in event planning. Much to their surprise, the market turned out to have a healthy turnout. Shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the market online, but it ended up being a major success.
There would be months when the market’s instagram page would have over a million views. Local brands that had no online presence were suddenly selling out products.
“Vendors were making around £5,000 on an online market and they hadn’t been able to make money for two months,” Liv said. “I can’t express to you what a wild time it was because everyone wanted to find something positive to do.”
Now, Salad Days has over 80,000 followers on Instagram and continues to be a welcome marketing help to local shops. As a monthly market, Salad Days places a strong emphasis on curation.
Each market only features 30 vendors a day to ensure quality. Vendors from all over the UK, and even a few foreign countries come to sell their products.
“We always put a focus on handmade things,” Liv said. “People celebrating traditional crafts in more than contemporary ways like silversmithing, jewellery making,
ceramics, embroidery, sewing, dressmaking, those are all really traditional skills.”
While the market features the more traditional arts, it is also quick to engage in what is popular at the moment.
“We’re really trend driven, so I’d say one thing that Salad Days is known for is getting on trends quickly,” Liv said. “Right now, bag charms, necklaces, and handmade ceramics are some of the things we’re seeing.”
The market’s most popular event, the Small Biz Sample Sale, is coming to London on August 9 and 10.
Located in Liv and Dais’ favourite venue, Gipsy Hill Brewery Taproom, all vendors will be featuring items that are between10% and a massive 80% off.
As local craft shops, sales are extremely rare, making this a special event. It usually only comes once a year, but it will be making another appearance on August 30 and 31 due to its sheer popularity.
If local handmade goods are your cup of tea, make your way to Salad Days market. Oh, and of course, live your ‘salad days’ to the fullest.
Upcoming event details
Dates: Aug. 9, 10, 30, 31
Time: 11:00 to 16:00
Location: Gipsy Hill Brewery Taproom, SE27 9SF Entry: free
Celebrate Summer in Southwark
Don't miss a thing this summer
Explore the full line-up of events and activities: southwark.gov.uk/summer And while you're enjoying it all… Tell us how we can improve your neighbourhood.
This summer, Southwark is alive with colour, culture, and community. From buzzing festivals to peaceful park picnics, there’s something for everyone – and most of it’s free.
Whether you're into music, art, food, or family fun, you’ll find it right on your doorstep.
