Often considered simply an accessory to Peckham, Nunhead is an overlooked gem in South East London. It has a quaint, village-like feel, with a number of quiet green spaces, such as Peckham Rye Park, the magnificent Nunhead Cemetery, and the recently revamped Nunhead Green, which possesses no less than four great pubs around its small perimeter! The green is also the focal point for the area’s independent shops and boutiques, and there is no shortage of places to eat. The suburban terraced streets offer some solace from the city, but the well known Irish Pub. neighbourhood’s proximity to the bustling centres of New Cross and Peckham mean you’re never more than a walk away from busy shopping streets and fantastic nightlife. Peckham Rye, Brockley, and Honour Oak stations are nearby, providing Overground services throughout town, but the lack of any tube line can be an issue for residents. Over the other side of Peckham Rye Park lies the affluent area of East Dulwich, but despite being only a short walk away, Nunhead remains affordable, and cultivates a brilliantly diverse community.

Nunhead’s name is believed to derive from the local inn named The Nun’s Head, and it is rumoured that this name refers to the beheading of a nun during the Dissolution. Nunhead previously formed part of the huge ancient parish of Camberwell in The Brixton Hundred, and remained largely rural for much of its life. In 1842, it was mapped as a small hamlet surrounded by market gardens and fields, with the recently consecrated Nunhead Cemetery to the south east. The Metropolitan Beer and Wine Trade Society erected a number of houses in the area in the 1850s whilst Nunhead was still seen as a countryside retreat; real development began in the 1870s, coinciding with the introduction of the rail network. The inevitable loss of green space during the 19th century was largely prevented by local voluntary lobbying bodies who helped preserve this prized asset, and much of the land was bought by the Vestry on the condition it remained open to the public in perpetuity. The lack of bomb damage during the Second World War has also meant that the neighbourhood has kept its quaint 19th century appearance.

The famous boxer, “Nipper” Pat Daley (1913-1988) lived at 13 Howard Court from 1951-1969. Welsh-born Daley made his professional debut at the age of 9 or 10 and went on to achieve widespread fame becoming boxing’s ‘Wonderboy’ during his mid-teens. He retired at just 17 years of age after 119 bouts, having been the youngest boxer ever to make the world top-ten. He remains the youngest ever professional boxer!

The prized Ivy House, with its stunning original 1930s interior, is London’s first ever cooperatively owned pub, and locals can sign up to volunteer to join the pub’s management committee. A true community pub! Another fun fact about the area for you: Nunhead Cemetery is one of the Magnificent Seven London cemeteries, albeit the least famous of them! The Magnificent Seven are a group of Victorian burial grounds established in a ring around what were then the outskirts of London. Consecrated in 1840, Nunhead is the final resting place of a number of notable Victorian actors, playwrights, and music hall performers.

Residents often complain about the lack of tube transport in south east London, yet others believe that this reduces commuting, and therefore helps maintain the community feel of the area. Also, whilst Overground travel may be slightly less convenient than hopping on one of the many tube lines, it works out far cheaper; one local bartender mentioned that another benefit is that the walk from the station keeps them healthy!

One of the biggest transport changes to happen to south east London is the proposed extension of the Bakerloo Line, which, if the plan goes ahead, is set to pass through the nearby station of New Cross Gate. However, TFL budget constraints stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic mean that these plans have been on hold for the last couple of years. Within this postcode area the residential character of the neighbourhood means that the pace of development is relatively slow, with only one low density housing project at Nunhead Green completed in the last couple of years. This could change in the coming years as Nunhead has received £438,000 from Round Two of the Mayor’s Outer London Fund, matched by £673,000 from Southwark council, to help it to become an important local town centre. Part of this will involve adding an extra floor to each block of the Nunhead Estate, providing 45 new affordable homes.