Camberwell and Peckham
Camberwell and Peckham (including Nunhead) all started as rural villages outside London. Towards the end of the 19th century thousands of people came to London to look for work and the city expanded to engulf the villages. Now these areas are in the centre of Southwark, London's most historic borough.
CAMBERWELL GROVE SE5
 Denmark Hill  12 35 36 40 45 68 68A 171 345 343
Camberwell Grove contains some of the finest Georgian architecture in the London area, but at one time it was just an avenue of trees. Then, Camberwell was a country village that supplied London with fruit and vegetables. In the 1700s Camberwell started to expand and the development of Camberwell Grove began in 1776. The earliest houses are at the foot of the hill on the east side, the latest are ‘Grove Crescent’, built in 1819.
ST GILES’ CHURCH Camberwell Church Street SE5
Denmark Hill 12 35 36 40 45 68 68A 171 345 343
The east window of St Giles’ Church was designed by John Ruskin and Edmund Oldfield. Ruskin’s autobiography, Praeterita, contains many vivid memories of growing up in Camberwell. Ruskin entertained many famous artists and writers in his house in Denmark Hill, including the poet Robert Browning, and gave his famous lecture, Work, at Camberwell Working Men’s Institute in 1865.
SOUTH LONDON GALLERY 65 Peckham Rod SE5 020 7703 6120
Peckham Rye 12 35 36 40 68 68A 171 345 343
The South London Gallery is one of London’s foremost galleries for contemporary art. It was established in 1891 by a local benefactor, William Rossiter. In 1893 Passmore Edwards paid for an extension to the building, and then gave more money to build the Passmore Edwards Technical Institute next door, which became a pioneer of technical education. It is now  Camberwell College of Arts, part of the London Institute, and has an international reputation.
NUNHEAD CEMETERY Linden Grove SE15 020 7732 9535
Nunhead P12
Nunhead Cemetery was the second cemetery opened by the London Cemetery Company. Its grounds were laid out by J.B. Bunning who also designed the gates and lodges. Among the headstones is a memorial to the five Scottish martyrs who campaigned for Parliamentary Reform. Part of the cemetery is a nature reserve.
Friends of Nunhead: www.fonc.org.uk
Click here for a brief history of Camberwell
Click here for a brief history of Peckham
Please check opening times and prices before you visit.
Spotlight on Peckham
1. In a recent Financial Times report, Peckham and Mayfair were judged best places to invest.
2. Peckham is less than two miles from Piccadilly Circus.
3. Whilst libraries across the country were closing down, Peckham celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art library for the 21st century, designed by internationally renowned architect, Will Alsop.
4. Peckham boasts a flourishing community of artists and artisans. Angel of the North sculptor Antony Gormley and photographer Tom Phillips live here.
5. The South London Gallery in Peckham Road boasts an international reputation and has featured early exhibitions and installations by artists such as Gilbert & George, Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and Gavin Turk.
And just in case you were wondering ... Only Fools and Horses was filmed in Bristol!
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