About Dulwich

Dulwich is one of London's oldest recorded villages and one of the most popular. The area is a beautiful oasis of green and gentility, renowned for its countryside atmosphere, Georgian and Victorian architecture and historic links with the past. Dulwich is basically divided into three separate districts, East Dulwich, West Dulwich and Dulwich village, which has retained nearly all of its original 18th and 19th century buildings. First documented in 967AD, the name Dulwich probably comes from a combination of two old English words meaning 'the meadow where dill grows'.

Edward Alleyn, an Elizabethan actor and friend of William Shakespeare, purchased Dulwich in 1605 for £4,900. He went on to found Dulwich College, today one of London's leading independent schools, whose famous old boys included PG Wodehouse and the wartime traitor Lord Haw Haw. The College is still a major landowner and many of the properties in Dulwich are on long leases to the college. The old college building can be seen by the roundabout in Dulwich Village and twice a year it plays host to the trendy Midcentury Modern Furniture Fair; an eclectic event selling pieces from the post-war 40's and 50's to modern-day 'antiques of the future'.

Dulwich Picture Gallery is the oldest purpose-built art gallery in England, hosting a magnificent collection of paintings by artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto. Opened in 1817 and built by Sir John Soane, it has recently been refurbished and extended to include a café, shop and educational resource centre.

Newly restored to its original Victorian layout, Dulwich Park is a huge 72 acre stretch of land originally created from former farmland and meadows. Situated at the heart of the village, the park has a boating lake, a duck pond, an old-fashioned bicycle hire company, fabulous picnic spots, a café and an innovative children's play area; it hosts several Arts Events during the year but is at its very prettiest when the famous rhododendrons bloom in Spring.

Another popular spot for families is the nearby Horniman Museum in Forest Hill, which seeks to encourage a wider appreciation of the world, through its nature and culture. Recently voted Museum of the year, it was founded in 1902 and is set in 16 acres of beautiful panoramic gardens with an animal centre and aquarium. It has great views across London and a child-friendly café, art and craft sessions for children and workshops for adults.

Over towards Crystal Palace, Dulwich Wood is another popular spot, and often visitors cannot believe they are only within five miles of Charing Cross Station. Once part of the Great North Wood or King's Wood and now managed as a nature reserve, the area is a valuable urban wildlife centre with educational facilities and a research area.

London's last remaining Tollgate can be found in College Road and was originally constructed in 1789. You can still see the first pricing policy displayed, although it is now automated and costs 50p.

Local Insight
Easy access to central London by train, bus or car is one of the area's great attractions; and the South Circular runs through Dulwich giving access to the main southern motorway network. Cycling is encouraged with special routes and designated cycle lanes. Click here for further transport information.

Dulwich is a lovely, well-preserved district as close to a real village as you'll find in London. As a conservation zone, the village itself is the quintessential English country variety with no big supermarkets or department stores. Instead, it offers a number of specialist retailers, good bookshops, florists, exclusive boutiques and an organic grocer. Famous eateries include beautiful Belair House, a stunning Georgian manor house set in acres of magnificent parkland and The Crown and Greyhound, the village pub complete with its own restaurant and garden. The pub is also one of the venues for the annual Dulwich Festival, which takes place each May and celebrates local artistic talent, both professional and amateur, as well as the local environment. Dulwich has a very active music and performing arts community; venues include Dulwich Picture Gallery, St Faith's Church and Christ's Chapel.

The area is well served by local amenities and places of interest, and views from the top of the hill over London from Dulwich are breathtaking. There are a large number of parks and local walks and the Dulwich and Sydenham Hill Golf Course, surrounded by playing fields and woods could be straight out of rural Sussex. There are tennis clubs, squash clubs, a croquet club, a wine club and a football club and the area is also known for a number of well-respected state and private schools click here for further details.

Dulwich Trivia
Dulwich Horse and Motor Show is held every year in Dulwich Park.