By Kate Youde
Offering elements of English country life not too far from the centre of the UK capital, Dulwich Village is a magnet for families, with top-drawer schools and open green spaces.
Village life
It is less than 10km south-east of central London, but leafy Dulwich Village (also the name of its high street) has an almost rural feel thanks to its white wooden fingerpost signs, independent shops, traditional pub and period properties. London’s last remaining tollgate is on College Road.
Commuter-friendly
The country vibe does not come at the expense of good connections. It is less than 20 minutes by train from North Dulwich station to London Bridge, with its Tube links to the financial hubs of the City and Canary Wharf, and less than 15 minutes from West Dulwich to central London’s Victoria station.
Masterpiece museum
Founded in 1811, Dulwich Picture Gallery was the world’s first purpose-built public art gallery. In addition to a programme of changing exhibitions, the gallery’s permanent collection includes paintings by masters such as Rembrandt, Canaletto, Sir Peter Paul Rubens and Thomas Gainsborough.
Educational hotspot
Dulwich Village’s popularity with families is helped by the presence of three top independent schools: Alleyn’s School, Dulwich College and James Allen’s Girls’ School. State-run Dulwich Village Church of England Infants’ School has been rated “outstanding” by the government education watchdog, as has nearby secondary Kingsdale Foundation School.
Green space
Part of a village’s charm is its green spaces and Dulwich Village is no exception. Facilities in the 29-hectare Dulwich Park include a boating lake, café, free tennis courts and a bowling green. Belair Park, behind the Georgian Belair House events venue, offers a lake, skate park, children’s playground and cricket pitch.
Photographs: Alamy Stock Photo; Getty Images; Getty Images/iStockphoto
