For us, none other than the amazing tradition of Christmas markets is what gets us in the Christmas spirit, and so we have gathered some of the fantastic Christmas markets in South London that are definitely worth checking out in your local area this year!
As the sun finally begins to show its face, we’re bringing you a list of the best spots to don your sunnies, slap on the suncream and settle in for an afternoon of cold ones in the London sunshine. From riverside sundowners to boozy lunches on the terrace, Putney’s got an exciting little assortment of al fresco possibilities and we’ve rounded them up just in time for the Bank Holiday.
With the gradual, yet steady closing-down of local cinemas and theatres that has been happening in Britain for decades, we thought it a good idea to use our platform to pay homage to one of the oldest theatres in South London that has survived this unfortunate decline in entertainment venues, and continues to showcase cutting edge theatre and events to this day....
Season's greetings! There is no better way of getting into the Christmas spirit than by attending your local christmas markets. Wrap up warm with the family or a few friends, stroll down to your local market and enjoy the rich warming smells of mulled wine and mince pies, whilst trying to remember the lyrics to your favourite carols. We've got the round-up; check out where your local market is happening and make sure you're there!
Run your fingers along their spines, cast your eyes up and down the shelves, flick through the pages and sit cross legged on the floor engrossed in the words resting in your lap. Escape the dull, uniform, needlessly clean chain bookshops that are a stalwart part of any high street or soulless shopping centre. South London has its fair share of independent bookshops where hidden treasures can be found, prices are right and the shelves hold countless stories to lose yourself in.
Ever feel like you’re stuck in the same old routine? There are dozens of ways you can shake it up in South London and expand your skill set. We’ve done all the research for you, whether you simply want to improve your cooking skills or fancy trying to learn some exciting circus tricks to impress your friends! If you’re looking for fitness-related classes here, have no fear! We believe these deserve a list of their own. So, here’s our top picks for 22 places to learn a new skill in South London!
Buying fast fashion is fun and easy right? Wrong! More and more people are becoming conscious of how little things they do can have a big effect on the environment and climate. One of the great ways you can get involved is making the choice to visit independent clothing stores, rather than big chains. Choosing an independent means that, not only are you supporting local businesses that work tremendously hard, but you are also getting involved in the movement to end fast fashion and help save the planet! Here are our top 5 picks for independent clothing stores in Brixton.
Right. So. Summer. It’s here, and so is the tidal wave of get-fit-quick schemes, the phrase ‘beach body’ is being batted around endlessly and sometimes when the sunny days roll around you can feel more like you’re in a pressure cooker than an island paradise. Well, we’re not here for that...
However, no one can deny that shrugging off that winter hibernation can be a bit of a struggle and you might be looking for constructive ways to charge all that new energy you’ve got from the longer days and the warmer temperatures. So we’ve done a round-up of all the new and exciting ways to get active right now in Battersea. There’s plenty of exciting stuff going on, whether you’re looking to mellow out, limber up or shed a few unwanted pounds in a way that is sustainable and keeps you sane. So have a little scroll and give a couple a go because it really will feel worth it, even if it’s just to hit the fancy showers at the end...
So, you’ve bought the gym membership, the results should come in time, right? Not always. Most of the time gyms are so daunting you end up wandering around looking at the scary contraptions and deciding on attempting some crunches in the corner, which you realise you could have done at home anyway. For the best results and a kickstart on your fitness goals, getting a personal trainer the first step to the new you. No longer exclusive to the rich and famous, personal trainers are for everyone who’s trying to shape up. We’ve narrowed down a list of our favourite personal trainers in South London, so you can choose one that is local and appeals to you.
The summer is over and you’re feeling a little resigned to indoor life, where after binge-watching that new show, you feel a little useless. Now there is no shame in that because we’ve all been there, but we are here to inject some enthusiasm into your evenings and weekends. There’s loads going on in South London that will help you learn some new skills and try some new things. This is a list of activities where you’ll probably say ‘I’ve always wanted to try that’ and some where you might say ‘I never thought of doing that’. We imagine you’ve given up on your well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions, to which we say: why not make an end of year resolution? That way when Christmas comes around you can feel accomplished and perhaps have a new skill to show off to family and friends. Expect something to suit all South Londoners, including the artsy, sporty and adventurous!
If you’ve missed the boat for this year’s beach body and want to up your game for next year, look no further. Londoners want the best of everything and are already balancing busy careers, family life and socialising. Introducing fitness seems a big ask, but these places make working out flexible, sociable and enjoyable. From relaxing yoga classes to intense boot camps, Blackheath and Greenwich can deliver your fitness results (providing you turn up).
Accidentally wearing the same clothes as someone else is terrifying. No, not just a similar outfits, we're talking about actually wearing the same garment as someone else, and then both of you recognising this. You don't actually have to be wearing the said clothes for this to happen - have you ever seen someone else wearing an item of clothing that you own? We have, and it's a chastening experience. There is a very simple reason as to why this happens, oh so simple, and it's that we're all buying our clothes from the same sodding shops! The best way to avoid this is to avoid the major big brands, avoid them like the plague, and instead head to local independent clothes shops. Not only do these shops stock a wide variety of great clothes, they tend to stock much smaller brands, and sometimes their in-house labels as well. Not only does this make it more likely that no one else is wearing the same threads as you, it also means you're contributing more directly to the local economy. Anyway, to get you started we thought we'd give a rundown of what we think are the 7 best independent clothes shops in Brixton.
Having a South London Club Card is one thing, knowing how to get the best out of it is another, but don't worry mums, we're not going to leave you high and dry once you've bought your card, we've got you covered. We know that finding things to do with your babies can be tough, and we understand that you work hard to ensure you still lead fulfilled lives while your children are in the infancy. We want to help you with these things, so we've compiled this list of 7 places to use your South London Club Card at in Lewisham Borough.
For the real coffee lovers amongst us, you will know that there is something special about knowing where and how your coffee has been sourced. Supermarkets flirt with cheap mix-blends and eye-catching names for the sake of convenience. However, there is a thriving community of independent roasters in this city, working away to find real quality and supplying many independent coffee shops all over London. We've sourced out 6 of these great companies working in South London, and each is worth trying out if you get the chance!
Lewisham might not be the first place Londoners would consider for quality live music but the borough that Kate Bush grew up in and where Blur famously formed at Goldsmiths University of London, is a haven for fine talent as well as home to venues that artists from across the rest of the country, and world, have played in.
A local discount card to support South London's local businesses while saving you money!
We aim to help you discover and explore all that South London has to offer, from hidden gems to the best-kept secrets!
The South London Club Card will take you on a tour of South London that you've never experienced before, showcasing our fantastic local businesses that are the lifeblood of our communities.
With 850+ local businesses to choose from, including gift shops, bike shops, restaurants, and roofers, our pocket-sized card is full of value.
Join us and let's work together to make South London even better.
