THE SOUTH LONDON NEIGHBOURHOOD 'THAT FEELS LIKE A VILLAGE' AND WHERE EVERYONE IS 'VERY FRIENDLY'

There’s an area tucked away in South East London that offers a perfect blend of village charm and city convenience. Known for its independent shops, trendy eateries, and excellent schools, it has become a magnet for families and professionals.

Muddy Stilettos say East Dulwich is simply 'cool', leading it to secure a position on their list of the best places to live in London last year. East Dulwich has a railway station with trains to London Bridge taking just 15 minutes.

Lordship Lane, the bustling high street, is the heart of the area. It’s lined with cafés, delis, and quirky shops that give the neighbourhood its unique character.

READ MORE: The quiet North London neighbourhood that 'feels more like a village'

If you walk from the train station to the high street, you will first encounter the East Dulwich Tavern, a beloved local pub. It recently underwent a refurbishment, but the new owners were keen to preserve its community spirit.

Lewis Meagor, 31, who took over the pub last September, says it holds a special place in residents’ hearts. He said: “It’s where everyone congregates, especially on Saturdays when Dulwich Hamlet F.C. are playing down the road.”

The ‘Hamlets’ are the local football team, and they're the most supported non-league club in the UK. They get huge crowds to watch their matches, which shows the tight-knit community of East Dulwich.

He says the response to the refurb has been overwhelmingly positive. Lewis added: “People say we’ve kept the heart of the place, which was really important to us.”

Claudio Pascale, 45, a chef who moved to the area a year ago, enjoys the local amenities. He said: “The high street’s got great produce - fish shops, butchers, and fresh veg, which is perfect for me.”

However, Claudio added that getting a house in the area is expensive. The average price of a property is £814,568 - with flats costing an average of £508,410 and terraced properties fetching close to £1,072,747, Muddy Stilettos say.

But it is a fact that independent shops line Lordship Lane, like Mons Cheesemongers. Laurence Lindars, 31, a worker at the cheesemongers, says the neighbourhood’s food scene made it an ideal fit to open their first physical shop in East Dulwich.

He added: “There was already a butcher, a fishmonger, and a veg shop, so we slotted right in. The mix of people from Dulwich Village, Peckham, and Camberwell creates a great customer base.”

Maria Georgiou, 62, owns Really Maria, one of London’s last haberdasheries. She feels lucky her parents bought the shop decades ago.

She said: “My parents owned the first restaurant down Lordship Lane, and bought some more shops later. They eventually decided to keep only one shop in the family, and I’m so grateful for that.”

Maria says the area’s close-knit feel is what makes it special. She added: “There’s a real sense of community - it’s almost like a village. We really helped each other during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Susie Smith, 52, has lived in East Dulwich her whole life. She agrees with Maria on the highlights of the area.

Susie said: “It’s like a little village in London, with lots of independent shops rather than big chains, only an M&S here and there. Everyone knows each other - it’s very friendly.”

Maurizio Calcagno, 62, owner of an Italian deli, says the area is quieter since COVID-19. He misses the busier pre-pandemic days.

He said: “Before, it was much busier - now, it’s up and down. But we take what we can, and the people are still very friendly.”

When Maurizio moved to London, he first opened a business in Tooting, but he says moving to East Dulwich was a positive change. He said: “This is a much nicer area; business was slow at first, but now we have regulars who come in daily for coffee, showing the strong sense of community.”

With its leafy parks, excellent schools, and vibrant high street, East Dulwich remains a sought-after South London spot. Despite rising costs, its charm and community spirit continue to thrive.

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2025-03-25T07:13:10Z