WELCOME From the broad, leafy boulevards of East Dulwich to the artist and hipster hangouts of Peckham Rye, this diverse south London neighbourhood has ‘urban village’ written all over it. Well-connected, full of unexpectedly lush, green spaces and blessed with an abundance of independent shops and services, you can follow in the footsteps of Victorian visionary William Blake whilst sampling ethnic and native food delicacies along the way. What would Del Boy and Rodney make of their old manor? EATING AND DRINKING Our area can truly claim to be on the London food map. Whether it’s French, Nigerian, Spanish or Vietnamese, there’s a restaurant for every taste or budget. Le Chardon (classic French) and Franklins (timelessly English) are firm favourites with local diners. For the adventurous, around Peckham Rye station is fast food heaven – visit Café Spice for Nigerian delicacies or Holly Grove’s Ganapati for a flavour of southern India. Pop by Brick Brewery’s taproom for a refreshing Peckham Pils beneath the railway arches off Blenheim Grove or toast the weekend with Margaritas at Bar Story. On balmy nights, follow the crowd to Frank’s Café (on the 10th floor of a car park) and admire the views. An explosion of tea and coffee shops mirrors the trend elsewhere in the capital. The Peckham Pelican and No67 fly the flag in arty Peckham Road while Pedler, Café Viva and Rosie’s Deli Café are regular hangouts for Peckham-ites. In or around Lordship Lane, café culture comes in many forms; Boulangerie Jade and Brick House bakery are among the best of the bunch.
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SHOPPING AND SERVICES
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This leisurely stroll has it all; art and architecture, delis and coffee shops, a village green plus several good old-fashioned boozers. Allow 1.5 hours including time for shopping and/or lunch. Distance: Two miles approx. 1 Start at Peckham Rye station, a wonderful Grade II-listed building just a few yards from Rye Lane. Discover the Holly Grove Conservation Area with its elegant villas or spy Peckham’s ‘country cottages’ in Choumert Square. Continue to Choumert Road where you pass the Girdlers’ Almshouses and beyond them, a typical African and Afro-Caribbean market. 2 Join Rye Lane (once known as ‘The Golden Mile’) for bargain shopping or pop into CLF Art Café aka The Bussey Building for arts and music events plus some well-curated Rye Wax vinyl. The sadly-neglected Art Deco buildings around here are stunning examples of the 1930s architectural style. In its day, Holdron’s (now Khan’s) was the Selfridges of south London! 3 Bomb over to Bellenden Road with its Antony Gormley bollards and Zandra Rhodes street lights. From here, it’s a few hundred yards along residential Adys Road to Goose Green. Behind the adventure playground is a mural showing William Blake’s vision of angels in Peckham Rye. Picnic on East Dulwich’s village green or settle at one of the cafés, bars or craft beer shops on nearby East Dulwich Road. 4 Explore Lordship Lane. This long, lively thoroughfare is lined with shops, restaurants and easy-going gastro pubs. Indulge yourself in East Dulwich’s food quarter (far end) and join the queue at the butcher’s or pick up some farm produce. Visit an authentic French cave or treat the family to Italian ice creams. La Dolce Vita has arrived in SE22!
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RECOMMENDED
Roullier White The destination for inspired lifestyle products. Huge collection of rare fragrances, carefully-curated homewares plus Mrs White’s home and body care. 125 Lordship Lane Lila’s Friendly, knowledgeable jewellers specialising in unique pre-loved or contemporary pieces. The place to go for a wedding band, earrings or stunning statement ring. 117 Lordship Lane Push Studios Friendly pilates, yoga and dance studio off Lordship Lane. Classes are designed to suit all abilities and are run by trained professionals who put the ‘fun’ into fitness. 17-21 Blackwater Street ed Whether it’s modern monochrome or tropical bright, rigby & mac’s East Dulwich store has it covered; fashion, jewellery, homewares, furniture paint and gift ideas. 41 North Cross Road Rye Books Independent bookshop/café run by people with a passion for the printed word. Find food, art, travel and children’s lit as well as the latest in popular fiction. 45 Upland Road Fashion-Conscience Ethical women’s clothing, bags, shoes and gifts available online or at their stylish shop near East Dulwich station. 28 Grove Vale Bias Boutique Full of quality, wearable clothing, this Bellenden Road shop champions both local designers and European labels. Worth a browse also for bags, homewares and cosmetics. 143 Bellenden Road Quaint & Belle Quirky Peckham corner shop crammed with gifts, home accessories, plants and flowers. Perfect for a colourful cushion, lampshade or last-minute birthday card. 144 Bellenden Road
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The French House Chic French bistro and patisserie with an ambience inspired by the 1960s pop scene. We say Yé-Yé! 52 Lordship Lane The Flying Pig Lively, contemporary-style pub serving cask beers and sizzling American barbeque dishes. 58-60 East Dulwich Road Anderson & Co Family-owned brasserie, famous for its superb brunches and all day bistro. Garden seating available for al fresco eating. 139 Bellenden Road Petitou Relaxed, family-friendly corner café and part of Peckham life since 2003. Ideal for a leisurely breakfast or sandwich on-the-go. 63 Choumert Road Café G. Parkside coffee house offering breakfast and lunch, as well as smoothies, milkshakes and great cake. Everyone in the community is welcome, young and old alike, so bring lap top, buggy or walking stick. 184 Peckham Rye
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Who’d have thought that such a shopper’s paradise lies here – a good six miles south of Piccadilly Circus? Lordship Lane now attracts the chains but there remains a healthy mix of independents. This is most evident in North Cross Road where gift and card shops, picture-framers, florists, and dog groomers all rub along. Visit the Saturday Market for freshly-baked bread and cakes, hand-made jewellery, bike repairs and more. Other pockets of East Dulwich are also waking up to the retail vibe; don’t miss Grove Vale and Melbourne Grove for fashion, homewares and household paint. Nearby Bellenden Road (estate agents call it ‘Bellenden Village’), proves the theory that you don’t need to schlep up to Shoreditch for a new outfit or a fancy set of wheels. Among the eateries, you’ll find vintage furniture and clothing, a butcher’s shop, bicycles and books.
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3 Guide to Landmarks 1 House of Dreams. Artist Steven Wright’s home/private museum 2 Dulwich Leisure Centre. The baths first opened here in 1892 3 B. Karloff born at 36 Forest Hill Rd
4 St John’s church. Inside is a threemanual organ from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire 5 Vision of Angels mural by Stan Peskett and local school children. Opened at the 1993 Dulwich Festival
6 McDermott Road Community Garden. Steel arch by Tom Phillips 7 Bellenden Road’s cheeky cast iron bollards by Antony Gormley 8 Copeland Park, Peckham’s new creative quarter
FANCY THAT! Britain’s Heaviest Person was from Peckham. Child star Johnnie Trunley aka The Fat Boy of Peckham weighed 33 stones in 1915. ● Consort Road, Peckham features in a scene from 1960s cult movie Blow Up. David Hemmings leaves the Camberwell Work House before climbing into his Rolls. ● Nelson Mandela House from the popular TV sitcom Only Fools and Horses wasn’t actually in Peckham. Instead, the crew filmed flats in Acton and Bristol.