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.
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....
Gone are the days of just pouring some milk over cereal and being done with it. Eating out for breakfast is in vogue, and we think it’s about time you try some of the options out there. Breakfast can mean anything from a Full English, waffles, a smoothie or even just a cup of coffee. We aren’t here to tell you what you should order, but we are here to let you in on the secrets of a top breakfast in South London. Whether you fancy changing up your usual breakfast routine, want a pick me up before work or you’ve got a hangover, South London has some brilliant spots to break the fast in style.
It’s commonplace now for Sushi to be served in meal deal packets, which means it’s easy to forget what authentic, fresh sushi can taste like. We think it’s miles better and so we’ve rounded up our favourite 7 independents that serve amazing Japanese cuisine across South London. For all South London diners who can’t get enough of bite-sized flavours of the Far East, you’ll know just what sushi-sceptics are missing out on. This is your chance to gather up your friends and show them what South London has to offer. Or maybe you’re here to look at the satisfying photos of perfectly rolled sushi, which is fine too.
When you were first handed the keys to your home you had visions of a perfectly executed interior design that wouldn't look out of place in a showroom. Instead, you've managed to accumulate random pieces of furniture and decorations that somehow make up the patchwork of where you now live and you think it is time for a change. Maybe you want a full-scale renovation and need the full works, or maybe you want to change up the colour scheme with fresh carpet and blinds. Or perhaps you just want a new piece to add charm and sophistication to your indoor vista. Whatever you want or whatever your style, you don't have to trek to IKEA to look at the same old items and get insanely stressed in the process. South London's independent shops are here to help you create the home of your dreams.
Whilst we wouldn’t change them for the world, taking on a pet can be a big responsibility. Juggling caring for a pet around work, family and a social life can be tough, especially when you’re living in the city. Luckily, we’re here to make treating your cherished companions like royalty easy! Pet shops, dog walkers, groomers and Vets are spread all over South London, it’s just about finding the right ones. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you and have over 10 independent businesses here worth checking out.
The past decades have seen an influx of other cuisines into British life and no matter whether you are a die-hard Brit who loves some pie and mash or a seasoned traveller, its hard to deny these cuisines offer something special. It may surprise you that Catford could be your new go-to when you fancy a 'world trip' of sorts. Without the stressful airport parking and hotel transfers. Be prepared to enjoy the flavours of the Mediterranean, Italian delicacies and dishes of the Americas and the flavours of the Far East. Or maybe you still aren't convinced and just want a sandwich and a coffee. Well that's fine too. Catford has something to offer for all tastes.
Let it be known that haircuts are very important. Though their importance varies from person to person, there is little question that haircuts are always important. They're a key way in which we as individuals define ourselves and play an incredibly important role in how we are visually received by others. Really, a haircut should be what you like, what you want - not what every one else has, but it's difficult to argue against the power of wanting to look like your peers. For some people, the role of a haircut is quite complex - it's there to help you stand out, but not massively. It's a rather peculiar but essential balance. Anyway, having a hairdresser or barber that you trust and know is, by proxy, vitally important. You are a beautiful portrait that needs touching up now and then, and if you're happy with how it looked previously, you're not going to have some other artist touch your portrait are you? No, so if you're in need of a new artist in Lewisham Borough to trust your hair (portrait) with, then we've got you covered with our list of the 13 best places for a haircut in Lewisham Borough. We split it up into unisex, female, and male to make sure you don't go somewhere that can't help you.
Bicycling as a method of transport for getting round London has grown and grown - something which is only positive. While some cyclists are not as responsible as they should be, it's likely that those individuals would be just as careless behind the wheel of a car, so we should be thankful that they are only in control of a bike. South London Club are firmly behind this clean method of transport which also provides a convenient opportunity to exercise. We understand it can be aggravating as a driver if a cyclist skips a red light, but just bear in mind that if you are involved in a collision - they'll be coming off a lot worse, so maybe be a little more forgiving when in control of a machine that was directly involved in the death of 1,732 people in 2015, and in incidents which caused serious injuries to 22,137 individuals. Anyway, less about that, and more about how useful bike shops are, and how the gradual growth in the number of independent bike shops across South London reflects how many people are now using their bike to get around. We know that a good bike shop is something that many people rely on for repairs and whatnot, so we think it's a good idea to give you our list of the the 13 best bike shops in South London.
Having established what are the Top 10 Best Train Stations In South London, we set about finding out what the respectable denizens of South London thought were the Top 10 Worst Stations In South London. We examined every station, we considered the statistics, and we provided you with a shortlist. The votes are now in, and boy do the quantity of votes reveal what a miserable bunch we South Londoners are. We received almost double the votes for this then we did when deciding the best train stations! Clearly, we far prefer to moan about train stations than we do praise them. Anyway, for those who missed the initial voting phase, the criteria for stations on this list were stations within Zone 4, south of the river, that were either particularly bleak, particularly useless, or possibly even both. This was a pretty tight run affair, and came down to the wire as to which would be top dog, the tightest of wires! So, here we go, beginning at number 10, the top 10 worst train stations in South London, as voted for by you - the people
Italian food is pretty well-travelled. Go anywhere in Europe or North America, and you'll probably be able to find an Italian restaurant. Italian food is undoubtedly popular - it's so popular that a particular Italian food is the central premise to a worldwide fast-food chains. If you hadn't guessed, that particular food is pizza. When you think of Italian food you probably split it between pizza and pasta - some of you might even think of just pizza. Italian food is so popular that it's hard to think of a time before it in the UK, a time that we shall call 'BP'. If you can't, we'd encourage you to ask your parents, or anyone you know who was alive, or at least aware, during the 60s about it. Having a favourite Italian restaurant is an essential we would say, and South London has plenty of fantastic Italian restaurants waiting for you to discover them, so to help you out, we've compiled a list of 11 great Italian restaurants in South London.
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.
