Moving to Dulwich: Area Guide
Where is Dulwich?
Located in South East London, living in Dulwich is often compared to living in the English countryside, with the city centre only a 30-minute car ride away. Its large green spaces, white picket fences, independent shops and restaurants add to the countryside vibes and make this part of town a true magnet for families, as well as young working professionals.
A brief history of Dulwich
The large green spaces and the unique countryside feel of Dulwich are mainly due to fact that for 400 years the Dulwich Estate governed the area, preserving it from being overdeveloped. Edward Allyn purchased the Manor of Dulwich in 1605 and later created a foundation to support the elderly and educate the young. The ethos of this foundation seems to have truly carried on and shaped the area, as Dulwich is known for its excellent schools, from kindergarten through to college.
An in-depth look at Dulwich
Dulwich can be divided into three different areas: East, West and Dulwich Village. Though all part of the same area and postcodes (SE21, SE22), each offers a variety of living and entertainment opportunities to people in all walks of life.
Who lives in Dulwich?
Thanks to the many parks and gardens, from the small curbside tufts of green to the expansive 70 acres Dulwich Park, together with the area’s great educational offering, Dulwich draws in many families and retired people. The sense of community and the low crime rate further enhance the feeling of security, a factor any parent is in search of in their local neighbourhood.
Though it may not have any tube stations, Dulwich’s close location to London’s centre together with its delicious food and entertainment offerings attracts many young professionals.
Types of property in Dulwich
Dulwich can boast about all kinds of property, from Tudor to Edwardian style houses, and anything from mansion homes to renovated, flat conversions.
For a one-bedroom flat, you can expect to be paying around £1,200 – £1,500 per month. For a 2-3 bedroom flat £1,300 – £2,450 per month and for a 5+ home, you can expect to be paying anything from £3,150 – £6,500 a month.
Dulwich Transport
As previously mentioned, Dulwich does not have any underground stations. The two closest tube stations are Denmark Hill station (24-minute walk from Dulwich Village) and Brixton tube station (28-minute walk from Dulwich Village). Dulwich does, however, have good Overground and Bus connections which can get you to London’s centre, all on the Zone 2 travelcard. The Overground offers links to London Bridge or Victoria Station within less than 15 minutes; and Busses 40, 176 and 185 get you to Aldgate, Tottenham Court and Victoria, respectively.
Restaurants & Shops in Dulwich
From delicious Italian food, prepared in a wood-fired oven at Rocca di pappa, in Dulwich Village, to Franklins restaurant, in East Dulwich, dedicated to serving you the best local and seasonal produce, you will find chains and independent restaurants and pubs to match your cravings. And, if you’re feeling more like a pre-dinner drink or just a casual pint with friends, The Rosendale pub, in West Dulwich, has got you covered.
The offerings found in all areas of Dulwich are too plentiful to list here, and the best way to see if this area suits you is to go see and taste what it’s all about!
Socialising in Dulwich
Just like its food and drink scene, Dulwich offers many opportunities for going out with friends and family:
- East Dulwich Picturehouse, a neighbourhood 3-screen cinema
- Dulwich Picture Gallery, the first purpose-built art gallery
- Horniman Museum & Gardens, beautiful gardens and excellent natural history exhibitions
- Dulwich Festival, a festival which takes place in Spring dedicated to educating the public in the arts and contributing to social welfare through education
From Dulwich’s ability to boast about some of the best restaurants in South London, to the range of activities and schools it offers families and young people, you can understand that Dulwich has a strong staying power. Meaning that once you’ve settled down there, it’s unlikely for you to be moving away. This factor makes it one of the more difficult areas in London to find a suitable property. In this case, persistence is key, so if you have your heart set on Dulwich, regularly check the property market for your potential new home!
