The weekend guide: SE London (part one)

I'm a big fan of SE London. I live here (East Dulwich) and work here (Bankside) so am keen to champion its best bits - of which there are many.

I noticed loads of stuff about SE15 (Peckham) in Time Out last week so am glad to see that others are realising that more goes on round here than stabbings on Rye Lane. Although by even typing that I feel like I'm helping perpetuate that myth. It doesn't happen that often

This weekend (4-5 June) is one of those where there's loads going on, so if you're looking for some inspiration try these:

MALTBY STREET MARKET
Maltby Street, London SE1
Saturdays 9am-2pm

An alternative to busy Borough for London's discerning foodies, this little street market under some railway arches is garnering a reputation for the place to be seen of a Saturday morning. I've yet to visit  (I'm heading there once I've written this) but have heard good things.



With producers like the always excellent Monmouth Coffee, Mons cheesemongers with its fromages from France and the Alps, and lunch on offer from biodynamic grocer Fern Varrow, what's not to like? I love the idea of Borough but the crowds do put me off so am hoping to meander along with a coffee and a croissant in a more relaxed environment.

I'm also intrigued by this story about the eviction from Borough of the Bermondsey Seven. To be excluded because they're branching out seems pretty unfair to me, so I'll be there in support of diversification in a tough financial market


POP-UP EMPORIUM AT THE OLD NUN'S HEAD
15 Nunhead Green, London SE15
Saturday 4 June, 11am-5pm

I'm loving the trend for jumble sales, craft markets and general places to potter around and rummage in at the moment. SE15 has it's very own version in the form of this new-ish sale at The Old Nun's head in, perhaps unsurprisingly, Nunhead.

This is what they say:  This month we have a great line up of home-made Colombian Cheese, Boozy Pork Pies, Gluten Free Cakes, Vintage clothes, pre-loved labels, hand knitted baby clothes, tye dyed baby clothes, vintage ceramics, massage equipment, italian crochet, knitted corsages, gorgeous hand-bags, little fine art, Life art, textiles, cushions, bunting, recycled, toys, cosmetics & MORE!


Vintage ceramics and Colombian cheese (that's my third reference to cheese in this post, I'm starting to worry) - I'm sold.


Every week:
Northcross Road market, East Dulwich SE22

The ever-expanding Northcross Road market (not to be confused with Clapham's Northcote Road) has finally been semi-pedestrianised and is all the better for it. New stalls include vintage crockery, several more vintage furniture sellers and banh mi Vietnamese baguettes. Locals head there for top-quality meat from GG Sparkes organic butchers, amazing pies and freshly baked bread from local institution the Blackbird Bakery.



DISCLAIMER: the other things I want to blog about happen tomorrow, so seeing as it's 11.45, I'm going to put on some make-up and head to Maltby Street before it's too late. 


Part two to come this afternoon