Area by areaYou are in: London > Entertainment > More Entertainment > Area by area > To Peckham, Bermondsey and beyond To Peckham, Bermondsey and beyondCharlie Chaplin, Tracey Emin and Anthony Gormley wouldn't underestimate the pull of Peckham and its surrounds; with markets brimming with Afro Carribbean food, amazing architecture and the home of controversial Millwall FC - neither should you... Did you know?
SHOPPING:Bermondsey Market (New Caledonian Market)A well loved antiques market that attracts as many collectors and dealers as it does browsers. It's especially good for silverware, but an abundance of small stalls sell all kinds of antiquities, including paintings, ornaments and furniture. Take a walk along Bermondsey Street for warehouses also selling antiques and all kinds of bric-a-brac. As with most antiques markets, the early bird catches the worm, so get here first thing for the best bargains. Founded in 1855 by Prince Albert, it moved to Southwark after the second world war. Clarks Factory ShopThis graveyard for unsold shoes is an excellent find if you're looking to buy brand new Clarks shoes at a quarter and sometimes even half the normal store price. They have a good selection in their range of sturdy and sensible shoes. Useful if you're on a tight budget. East Street MarketBrixton Market's main rival, this equally busy south London street market just off the Walworth Road offers the usual market fare of household goods, fruit and veg and clothes. Particularly good for cheap records and tapes, it's also a great place to shop for African food, with an abundance of African and Caribbean takeaways and restaurants in the surrounding area. Peckham Farmers MarketThis covered market outside Peckham Library sells an excellent range of organic cheeses, meat, bread, vegetables, herbs, eggs, jams, fish, cider, handmade truffles and cakes, and even unusual apple and potato varieties from a range of stall holders. Rye Lane MarketCheap is the name of game in this indoor market, which has about 85 businesses selling everything from cheap shoes, to household goods, clothes, luggage and leather. There is also a small cafe with seating in a courtyard area. PersepolisThis colourful and inviting shop specialises in, as the name suggests, all things Persian, with food products from Iran a speciality, including dried fruits, nuts and seeds, sweets and herbs and spices. The owners are relaxed and friendly, and are strong ambassadors for the local community. PUBS AND BARS:BRB at the GroveThis massive converted Victorian pub manages to keep two types of bar goers happy in one sweep; a large screen for football fans on one side, and an open-plan kitchen pumping out great pizzas on the other. Two for one pizzas on a Tuesday and two for one cocktails on a Thursday keep this place busy throughout the week. There is a great value happy hour from 5pm - 7pm with shots only costing £2, Carlsberg £1.80 and a bottle of house wine £6. Black Sheep Café BarThis converted pub is everything you'd expect from a gastro-venue, polished floorboards, large windows, and an uber-relaxed and trendy crowd that congregate here. The ClockGood pubs are few and far between in this neck of the woods, which is why this upmarket boozer overlooking Peckham Rye is so popular with both the young, local media-savvy crowd and locals too. There are two talking points about this pub: the large wall painting of the pub, and the garden, which is busy with hanging baskets and tubs. HobgoblinThis pub is a hangout for local students and south London arty types, and serves a good range of ales, lagers and hearty pub grub. The beer garden is very popular when the weather is good and the interior is a pleasant jumble of wooden furniture and bare boards. The RyeThis is a fab pub run by a mad Canadian chef. It has fabulous food and a great open fire if you want to go in and sit by yourself and read the papers. The staff are very friendly and they have a very popular quiz night on Wednesdays. Sun and DovesPart bar, part restaurant and part art gallery, this is a much-loved local that strikes the right balance between relaxed and lively. Their large garden is a huge draw in the summer months. The menu has a heavy emphasis on Mediterranean dishes, with bar snacks also available. The Wishing WellNo thrills, no spills and no frills at this old boozer-style pub that has been a popular choice for locals to enjoy a quiet tipple for years. Cosy, smoky and everything you'd expect from a corner pub, with seating out the front for those sunny days. Football is high on the agenda of entertainment here, also Thursdays feature a popular pub quiz. RESTAURANTS:AranciaDown to earth, authentic Italian cooking at its best - this popular local restaurant with its famous orange interior has a huge reputation for quality cuisine using top ingredients. You know you've hit on a winner when you can get an incredibly satisfying meal for around £20 - this is what good neighbourhood restaurants are all about. Local artists' work is also exhibited Bermondsey KitchenWith a large open kitchen, this modern European kitchen has firmly established itself in this part of London. They have a good changing menu that is based on fresh, seasonal ingredients from the nearby markets, with a heavy Mediterranean and middle-eastern influence. Delfina Studio CafeA multi-use space, the Delfina is situated inside the large airy building that is the Delfina Galleries in Bermondsey. The restaurant itself serves accomplished modern European food, and is extremely popular with both the artistic and business sectors in the area. The building also houses a gallery and artists' studio space. Elvis Gracelands PalaceAn Elvis-themed Chinese restaurant seems like somewhere you'd be more likely to bump into in Las Vegas, but it's firmly ensconced in Peckham, and continues to draw the crowds who come to sample average Chinese food, then dance and sing along to Chinese Elvis entertainers - if you're lucky it'll be owner Paul "Elvis" Chan. It's more along the lines of office party or girls night out material, but great fun and probably the only place in London where you can eat chow mein and then dance on the table. Fina EstampaThis unusual Peruvian restaurant is a definite destination for foodies; if not for fine cuisine then for the experience of what claims to be London's only Peruvian restaurant. Obviously the South American influences extend to the cuisine and the wine list, with some excellent Chilean and Argentinean wines to choose from. Expect dishes such as lomo saltado - strips of rump steak stir fried with red onions, tomatoes and parsley, as well as plenty of seafood and some interesting vegetarian choices too. The restaurant is upstairs, while downstairs the bar is open all day. Ganapati South Indian KitchenFormerly the highly rated Holly restaurant, Ganapati focuses on home-made south Indian dishes. Whether you fancy a classic masala dosa, or lassis and some authentic street snacks, this latest addition to Peckham's culinary map delivers with fantastically friendly service to boot. La LunaLove your pizza with crispy, thin crust? Can't get enough of simple, Italian cooking using fresh ingredients? La Luna is one of Walworth's hidden gems; cheap, cheerful and intimate and delicious food. Calzone, pizza, antipasti are the usual suspects on the menu, but their tagliatelle "la luna" is the house speciality. Sunday roast fans are also catered for, with an all day roast available. Manze's - PeckhamThe Manze family settled in Bermondsey in 1878 and began trading as ice-merchants before going into the pie, mash and eel trade, beginning what was probably London's first chain restaurant business. At its peak in 1930 there was a total of 14 shops. Today, Manze pie shops remain in Bermondsey, Peckham and more recently Sutton, and are the oldest pie and mash shops in London. Manze's - Bermondsey87 Tower Bridge Road SE1 Peckham ExperimentSituated on regenerated Bellenden Road, the Peckham Experiment is every bit as trendy as it sounds and is definitely one of Peckham's culinary high points. A small restaurant with outside seating, its menu is original and a little unexpected, but loaded with fresh, seasonal ingredients - rabbit stew with mash, pigs trotter and pigeon breast are some of the more unusual items that grace the menu. They serve food all day and have a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Pizzeria CastelloThis institution on Walworth Road has been serving great pizzas for around a quarter of a century. It has a vibey buzz to it during busy times, and the menu is not just limited to pizza - try one of the house speciality pasta dishes. It's not just the food that's authentic - the interior is firmly traditional pizzeria-style, with plenty of tiles and brickwork to set the scene for some good value, inexpensive food and a great night out. Mozzarella e Pomodoro ItalianSituated on the site of the original Lyons Tea House, this stylish Italian restaurant serves authentic thin Italian pizzas from their wood fired oven, as well as a large menu filled with inexpensive dishes. Vineyard Greek Taverna (recommended by Anna Gaunt)"A small, big-hearted restaurant, the Vineyard Greek is very much admired locally for its traditional Greek food and warm ambience. On a hot summer's evening, the outside seating and plastic overhanging vines make this particular corner of Camberwell feel almost Mediterranean. I spent my last birthday celebrations there. The atmosphere was informal, the wine flowed freely and all my friends had a wonderful time and left the restaurant pleased with both the food and the excellent and attentive service." ARTS AND CULTURE:Brunel Engine HouseBehind Rotherhithe Tube station, on the Thames Path, is Brunel's first project and the oldest section of the London Underground. This was also the world's first underwater shopping centre and fairground! The Cuming MuseumThe Cuming Museum is home to the rich and unusual collection of the Cuming family and is a museum of Southwark's history. The gallery contains a variety of hands-on activities for younger visitors as well as a lively temporary exhibition programme. Camberwell College of ArtsEstablished in 1896, the college has an international reputation as one of the country's leading art and design colleges, and has launched the careers of some creative names; illustrator Paul Cox, film maker Mike Leigh and musician Humphrey Lyttleton have all studied here. Dulwich Picture GalleryOne of the oldest and best collections of seventeenth and eighteenth century art in Britain, with paintings from most of the old masters, including Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and Gainsborough. It's also the perfect place to explore the idyllic surroundings of Dulwich Village up the road. Fashion and Textile MuseumThe first museum in the UK to be dedicated solely to contemporary fashion and textiles, and founded by the notorious Zandra Rhodes, is a feast for the senses. With Princess Michael of Kent as the patron, there is no shortage of glamour as this museum aims to educate and support the craft of fashion. Livesey MuseumIt's all hands-on at this children's museum, aimed directly at kids under 12, their families, parents, carers and teachers - for days out for schools and for visits in the holidays. All-new interactive exhibitions are shown every year. Blue Elephant TheatreThis relative newcomer to the local arts scene opened in 1999 and is a varied and vibrant arts centre for emerging artists to show their work. Events include theatre, dance, film and exhibitions. The House GalleryWith a changing programme of work from emerging artists, the House Gallery is a small, artist-run gallery showing contemporary art, with exhibitions varying in length from between one week to a month. Many local artists show their work here, taking advantage of the large front window to gain exposure. They also organise additional events such as talks, social events and discussion forums. ED Comedy at the HobThis much-loved East Dulwich comedy night has now moved down the road to Forest Hill's Hobgoblin pub. One of the best on the south London circuit, expect top comedy and cabaret every Saturday night. Peckham LibraryThis award-winning building, dominating Peckham Square, is a wonderful modern structure and is now the creative centre of the community. South London GalleryThis important arts venue in South London maintains its reputation as one of the leading contemporary art spaces in the country. It has a long history of collecting works relating to the area, and has staged exhibitions by internationally acclaimed artists such as Gilbert and George, Tracey Emin and Keith Price. CINEMA:Peckham MultiplexCatch a flick at this cinema complex at any time at good prices - for everyone. CLUBBING AND MUSIC:The Cube BarIf funky house is your bag, then make sure you pay a visit to this lounge bar in Camberwell Church Street. With a lounge bar upstairs and an intimate club downstairs, playing break beats and techno, it always has a great atmosphere. They also do bar snacks and some main meals. The Crypt, St Giles ChurchHeralded as one of the best jazz clubs in London, this unusual 300-year-old venue, situated in the crypt of St Giles, is a Friday night jazz club and restaurant, featuring top international artists. With plenty of low lighting and a great setting, this is a firm favourite with locals. Funky MunkyThis down to earth DJ bar has got even funkier with its new day-glo décor and battered armchairs. In the week it mainly caters for local student and bohemian drinkers, and at the weekend it attracts a more clubbing crowd as rotating DJ's crank the party up until the wee hours - well, 2am anyway. The Imperial GardensThis unusual venue is a fantastic clubbing experience situated under a railway bridge. With plenty of corridors to get lost in, three separate dance areas and a VIP gallery bar, it caters for all urban music tastes with a strong emphasis on R&B, garage, drum n bass, trance and techno. The CastleThe Castle maintains the elements of a traditional pub, but with a modern colour scheme and plenty of stainless steel. It still delivers what you'd expect from an area overflowing with art and university students; a bohemian, chic vibe with plenty of DJ's from Thursday night through to Sunday night and a regular crowd of trendy Camberwell-ites and Brixtonians. The Six String BarPreviously known as the Paradise bar, this popular live music venue has the unusual claim to fame that Charlie Chaplin danced here onstage. Every night of the week live bands and DJ's rock the atmosphere with a varied mixture of rock, indie, funk, soul and jazz. Red StarSouth London is packed to the rafters with good music venues, and the Red Star in Camberwell Road is no exception to this rule. This late-license venue attracts the local party crowd for a good bump 'n' grind to the wee hours with their crowd-pleasing funky house and 80s and 90s pop music policy. The VenueSix different bars under one roof – Bee Bar, Basement, Main Hall, Fagans, Balcony and Star Bar – this huge and popular New Cross venue draws a crowd from all over South London for its varied music policy, which includes chart classics, disco gems, indie, live tribute bands and party anthems. PARKS AND OPEN SPACES:Burgess ParkBurgess Park wasn't always the grassy open space dotted with gardens, a duck pond, picnic area and sports facilities. In the 19th century the area was covered in streets and houses, and the area behind Chumleigh Gardens was a ginger beer factory. Centre for Wildlife GardeningGet inspired for your own garden at this beautiful wildlife garden. The project has an award-winning visitor centre demonstrating innovative environmental building techniques, and plenty of advice on why and how to grow a wildlife garden. The shop sells organically grown plants that are native to Southwark. Nunhead CemeteryDescribed as one of Southwark's most hidden treasures, this historical cemetery has recently been restored to some of its Victorian splendour. Opened in 1840, it is now the second largest Victorian cemetery in London. Part of it is now a nature reserve and a haven for wildlife - there are sixteen different species of butterfly alone. Peckham Rye Park & CommonThis fantastic Edwardian park has been restored to its former glory thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Southwark Council. Parts of the park are flat and grassy - suitable for games such as rounders, frisbee and 5-a-side. There is also a duck pond, basketball courts, visitor centre, bowling green and football pitch. The friends of Peckham Rye Park meet in the visitor centre at 8pm on the last Sunday of every month. Southwark ParkThis lovely large park has many features, like any good London park should. A rose garden, duck pond, athletic park, kids playground, bowling green, tennis courts and a football pitch make it attractive to all; a boating lake is also situated at the south end of the park and boats can be hired in summer. SPORT AND LEISURE:Camberwell Leisure CentreArtichoke Place, off Camberwell Church Street, SE5 Elephant and Castle Leisure Centre22 Elephant & Castle, SE1 Millwall Football Club"No one likes us, no one likes us, no one likes us, we don't care, we are Millwall..." This South Bermondsey club may not be the most admired nor have the best reputation for the behaviour of their fans, but they are a community-orientated club that moved to their current stadium, The Den, ten years ago. Peckham Pulse10 Melon Road, Peckham, SE15 Seven Islands Leisure Centre100 Lower Road, London SE16 last updated: 02/05/2008 at 20:06 Have Your Say
Denise
Jesse SEE ALSOYou are in: London > Entertainment > More Entertainment > Area by area > To Peckham, Bermondsey and beyond
|
 About the 91Èȱ¬ | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy |
