SOUTH London’s Local Village: Dulwich
You’re thinking that you need some ‘village life’, but you don’t really want to travel outside London. You want quaintness and charm, without the long journey. You’ve been to Hampstead too many times now, and are looking for a change. Dulwich Village has reigned as London’s little village hang out for some time. You probably heard a colleague mention it, but had no idea what was in store for you there. It’s time to explore! Zone 3 seems too close for a village, and when you realise
that you are still in the Borough of Southwark, you’ll wonder if this is too good to be true. Don’t question it; London is full of surprises and Dulwich Village is one of the best. White picket signs, tree-lined roads, a large park, a famous gallery, and enough restaurants, pubs and cafés to keep you fed and wa- tered. A 13-minute train from Victoria or a short bus ride from Brixton, and suddenly you find the ‘stop’ that you are craving. Alight at North Dulwich, and make your way to the high street, also called Dulwich Village. Since the station doesn’t pour onto the village, you’ll need to walk or hop on a bus to get to the actual village. Dulwich Village Farmers’ Market takes place on Saturdays
from 10.00-14.00, just near the corner of Dulwich Village and Turney Road. It’s too tempting not to buy a courgette, lime and pistachio cake from Honeypie Bakery or a jar of pickled kimchi from Vadasz Deli. The village jewel is the Crown & Greyhound Pub, which locals refer to as The Dog. Shopping in a village always feels guilt-free. It’s as if you are
on a mini-holiday and suddenly you are surrounded by oppor- tunities to purchase items you might never see again. A sneak-peak into Tomlinson for homeware or Jane Newbery for sleekly designed gifts. Shopping might have to wait if you are in the mood for cul-
ture. Dulwich Picture Gallery beckons you to its hallowed halls. It’s the world’s first purpose-built public art gallery and holds an astonishing collection of Baroque masterpieces and other works. The building itself is something to behold. Designed by Sir John Soane, it uses skylights for its natural light. Art lovers who have been to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles or the Kimball Art Gallery in Fort Worth will recognise the inspiration
for those buildings. Lunch for the day can be had at the gallery or in one of the
cafés in the village. Romeo Jones has a deli with a selection that is easily portable. Stock up and the head to the park. Dulwich Park is 76 acres of lush green goodness - perfect
for indulging the senses and keeping that mobile phone tucked away on silent. If you left the bicycle at home, you can rent one here. There is also cricket, tennis, a bowling green, and outside gym equipment. Feed the squirrels, enjoy a picnic, or take a nap on the grass. If nostalgia hits you, or if your kids ask you “What is a drive-
in cinema?” you could give them the next best thing by attend- ing a film at Luna Cinema. It’s an outdoor cinema where they show modern classics such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Pretty Woman. Harry Potter fans will be able to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them under the stars in June. A short distance away from Dulwich Village is Herne Hill. It’s
home to Herne Hill Velodrome. If you have always fancied try- ing to ride on a velodrome track, you can attend one of the coaching sessions. Cool down with a cool brew at Canopy
Beer on Norwood Road. The beer is both refreshing and full of char- acter. Slowly making its way into select locations around London, you can buy from their tap room to drink there or take home as a nice memory of your trust in a local village.
www.focus-info.org
FOCUS The Magazine 5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
