This green and residential neighbourhood is located in the borough of Southwark, and made up of a typically south east London mix of Victorian, Edwardian, and post-war properties. Ideally situated between the parks of Dulwich Village and just below the bustling neighbourhood of Peckham, the area is an excellent choice for families and young professionals who don’t want to sacrifice space for entertainment options. The local high street along Lordship Lane has its own individual character with only a handful of chain stores and lots of independent shops, cafés, and restaurants. There are more independent restaurants and pubs scattered throughout the neighbourhood as well, including Lorenzo of Dulwich and the Herne Tavern. This increasingly fashionable area is a great combination of parks, green spaces, tree lined streets, bars, restaurants, and independent shops all within a 15-minute train ride to central London from nearby Honor Oak Park station.

This once rural area was transformed from fields and gardens to housing from 1865 to 1885 by the development of two estates. Today’s neighbourhood is bounded by Lordship Lane, Barry Road, and East Dulwich Road, which was part of the Bower- Smith estate. Builders were drawn to this area’s potential as it had ample green space, but also was close to London with good transportation links. The arrival of transportation was key to this area’s development. The railway came to Herne Hill in 1862, West Dulwich and Sydenham Hill in 1863, and East Dulwich and North Dulwich in 1868, and with cheaper fares in the 1880s, more and more Londoners moved to this neighbourhood, creating the bustling community we see today.

One of the best views of the London skyline is from Dawson’s Heights Field. Residents say it is even better than the view from Primrose Hill or Hampstead Heath.

James Nesbitt lives in the neighbourhood area. Nesbitt is a British actor most known for his role in Cold Feet, Waking Ned Devine, and more recently his role in The Hobbit.

One of the downsides of this neighbourhood is the transportation links into central London during morning rush hour. There is only the Southern rail link station, which is crowded at peak time but can get residents to Victoria in 15 minutes.

The local council is committed to the conservation of Dulwich Village, and wants to protect it as a historic area, whilst also ensuring that there is a good balance of commercial use, alongside the protection of the amenity of residential areas. One project which managed to get planning permission was 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.