This neighbourhood is a thriving, family-friendly suburb of south-east London. Located between the trendy culture hub of Peckham and the rather more reserved Dulwich Village, it is becoming a haven for those priced out of nearby Clapham. The high street along Lordship Lane is a treasure trove of staunchly independent shops, cafes, and boutiques, that service the growing population of young families looking for a quiet neighbourhood feel while remaining close to the centre of town. Despite its lack of tube station, the area is very well connected, with regular Overground trains running to London Bridge from East Dulwich station. A number of good schools and a great deal of green space, such as Goose Green and the sprawling Peckham Rye Park, help maintain the locality’s community-focused, village feel, in spite of the tangible gentrification that is encroaching on the high street.

The name Dulwich supposedly originated from the old English words ‘Dill’ and ‘wihs’, meaning ‘the meadow where dill grows’. Passing through a number of royal hands, but remaining entirely rural as market gardens, dairy farms, and open fields, the neighbourhood only began its development during the mid-19th century. Aimed at a narrow, lower middle class market, the typical suburban transformation of the area was kickstarted by the opening of Herne Hill station in 1862 and East Dulwich station in 1868, followed shortly after by a tram service along Lordship Lane. Goose Green and Peckham Rye Park were quickly enclosed and maintained as public open space to prevent keen developers from snapping up the land. Apart from natural modernisation, not much has changed in the neighbourhood since, and East Dulwich remains a fine example of 19th century suburbia.

Lordship Lane station was the subject of a celebrated painting by the famed Impressionist, Camille Pissarro. The 1871 work is a modest view of Victorian south London, but is on display in a grand room at the Courtauld Gallery in Somerset House, alongside world renowned paintings by Cezanne, Renoir, Gaugin, and Manet.

East Dulwich’s upmarket reputation has led to a dramatic increase in house prices over the past decade, particularly alongside the growing gentrification in nearby Peckham. The neighbourhood’s protected status also means that there are very few modern buildings, meaning that housing remains low-density and inaccessible to many.

In 2017, the New Southwark Plan set out a project to build over 40,000 new homes across the entire borough, singling out 12 specific areas of development. East Dulwich is one such location, with four places chosen to transform into homes. These include

Nearby this area sites at Grove Vale, Dog Kennel Hill, and Railway Rise, have all been singled out by the Southwark Council for redevelopment. These are scheduled to join the recently completed Dulwich Health Centre on East Dulwich Grove. Proposals have also been put forward for the construction of a small new stadium to house Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, a team which plays in the 6th tier of English football despite being more than 130 years old. Located next to the Sainsbury’s in the north of this neighbourhood, this project consists of one main stand and club house.