Encompassing Lewisham Hill to the north, the western neighbourhoods just off Lewisham high street, and Ladywell, this south-east London neighbourhood is well-connected to central through both Lewisham and Ladywell train stations, which run high-speed services into central London every 10 minutes. Featuring predominantly Victorian architecture, save for a few rather tall modern high-rises, this area retains a quaint and historical feel throughout, with the majority of residents opting to touch-up the ornate stylings on their houses, highlighting their traditional beauty. Green spaces are in no short supply, with Hilly Fields Park and Ladywell Fields being within walking distance of every building in this neighbourhood, featuring tennis courts, children’s play areas and small cafes.

Greenwich Park and Blackheath are also only a few minutes on the bus if one fancies a longer stroll. The area is also served well by amenities, with a large Asda, a Tesco Express and a Sainsburys Local clustered along Lewisham Way in the northern part, whilst Ladywell Road features a number of up-market restaurants, organic food shops, and bakeries. Ladywell Tavern is a local favourite, always brimming with community spirit, and the Fox and Firkin just outside this area is rumoured to have the best beer garden in south London!

The small village of Lewisham has existed since at least 1086, although it consisted of little more than the high street, George Lane, Lewisham Road and Loampit Vale. It passed into the hands of the Abbey of Ghent in the Middle Ages, and due to the numerous rivers running through the village at the time, the area was filled with mills. These were mostly used to power grinding stones, on which blacksmiths forged steel for weapons. Like many outer London villages, Lewisham became a popular area for rich folk during the 17th and 18th centuries, as they sought to escape the cramped and unsanitary conditions of central London. The area was transformed with the introduction of the railway in 1849, linking Dartford, Lewisham, and central London together. House-building began on a large scale to accommodate the increased numbers of commuters of wealthier backgrounds, who mostly left towards the end of the 19th century, resulting in many of the larger Victorian houses being divided up for working-class families.

Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman was born in Ladywell in 1936, playing in the world-famous rock band from 1962 to 1993. Wyman has authored seven books, and is also a keen photographer, and has had his photographs displayed in galleries around the world. One of his most recent exhibits ‘Around the World in 80 Years’ (released on Bill’s 80th birthday) featured a selection from his lifelong portfolio, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the artist’s formative years and subsequent fame as an international rock star.

The London Underground will be extended to Lewisham via the Bakerloo line over the coming years, and is expected to radically change the area as it becomes a significantly more viable commuter-neighbourhood. However, TFL budget constraints stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic mean that these plans have been on hold for the last couple of years. Just north of the station, planning has been granted for a 34 storey development on the site of the former Tesco car park on Conington Road. Closer to Ladywell, London Square Lewisham will deliver 141 new homes as well as commercial space, with a landscaped public realm. Work on this scheme is set to complete in 2024, in time for the council’s 2026 target for achieving metropolitan status.