Dulwich is a quintessential English village but in South London. Its centre is surrounded by parks and greenery, white wooden fences and signposts and is home to the world famous Dulwich Picture Gallery. East and West Dulwich cement Dulwich’s reputation as a home for small independent retailers, pubs and restaurants. Dulwich offers visitors a perfect blend of culture, art, and nature, making it an ideal destination for a day out. With many attractions free, Dulwich is the perfect place to explore.
These pages highlight some of the key attractions and we also include a couple of suggested itineraries - take your time and make the most of what Dulwich has to offer!
Interesting fact: In 1333, the population of Dulwich was recorded as 100 and in 1538 the whole of Dulwich was sold by Henry VIII for £609. In today’s money that is equivalent to around £400,000
Dulwich is a centre for the Arts and Culture in London. As well as being home to the world’s first purpose-built art gallery, as you wander round the area you can see one of the best collections of street art across London from many famous artists, inspired by the collection at the Dulwich Picture Gallery.
A visit to Dulwich would not be complete without taking in the House of Dreams, the personal art museum of Stephen Wright. If you happen to visit in May, The Dulwich Festival will be in full swing, an arts festival that has been going for over 30 years and, at the last count, there were over 100 events, many of which were free.
Dulwich is not short of parks, open spaces or outdoor activities. Dulwich Park, in the heart of the village, offers boats, bikes, bowling and basketball! Together with nearby Belair Park, there are children’s playgrounds, sports facilities and a skate park.
On a hill overlooking Dulwich and with views across central London, Dulwich and Sydenham Hill Woods contain over 200 species of trees and wildlife and makes for a great family walk in the woods.
From cycling at the Velodrome, to skate boarding in Belair Park, there are more than enough sports activities to go round! Even if you do not take part, be sure to visit the Herne Hill Velodrome, which was used for the 1948 London Olympics.
The picture above is a photo of a mural to be found on the railway viaduct on Burbage Road celebrating Dulwich’s rich sporting history - worth seeing if you have time. It is also opposite a mural celebrating the life of Richard Burbage - a great friend of Shakespeare and one of the founders of the world famous Globe Theatre on the banks of the Thames in central London.
Dulwich may be famous for its many schools within a small area, but there are plenty of opportunities for all members of the family to take part in activities or attend events.
From West Dulwich, through the Village and right across to East Dulwich there is an array of small independent restaurants, cafes and retailers - from butchers and bakers to farm shops and florists, cheese shops, fishmongers, delicatessens, gift shops, wine merchants and bookshops.
If you visit on a Saturday, be sure to check out the North Cross Road market in East Dulwich where you will find a wide selection of foods, furniture and other household items, jewellery and gifts.
Getting to Dulwich is easy:
- 10 minutes by train from Victoria or Blackfriars to either Herne Hill or West Dulwich; or from London Bridge to either East or North Dulwich stations
- There are direct connections from the South from places like Orpington and Bromley, from the West from Wimbledon and Croydon and from the East from Peckham
- Numerous bus routes and cycle lane Quietway 7 pass through Dulwich
For more information on travel visit tfl