London Districts: East Dulwich (Tour Guide)

This documentary episode explores the London district of 'East Dulwich' through a visual tour narrated with some crucial history of the area up until how it exists today.

Transcription:
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East Dulwich is a district in south east London inside the London Borough of Southwark.

There isn't that much left of Friern Manor or its Dairy Farm of 1725 today besides the name of this road connecting Peckham Rye to Lordship Lane; it severs through the centre of where they both once were.

East Dulwich is probably the finest example of residential suburbia from the late Victorian period in Southwark. The area’s leafy lushness, space and village atmosphere being its main draw.

Dulwich as a name stems from a Saxon word recorded in a charter from the year 967 to mean ‘the meadow where dill grows’. The herb was used then to fend off both indigestion and witchcraft.

Whilst the area was merely fields, a specialist development company became fond of its proximity to London and pulled it all together in a relatively short space of time relying on that same proximity to engineer its success, coupled with the availability of solid public transport.

Cheaper fares came with electric trams running along Dog Kennel Hill, Lordship Lane and the Rye which naturally stimulated more demand and sealed the area’s success.

Housing and prices were aimed at the lower middle classes, people who may have had jobs as clerks for instance. Newer populations were then predominantly formed from young families which is how it remains today.
Families that buy here tend to stay.

The wards surrounding the main Dulwich Hospital building were demolished a few years ago to introduce Dulwich Community Hospital. They collectively had a capacity for 723 beds and incorporated a modern 'Nightingale' idea - high connecting walkways between wards to facilitate the taking of fresh air for patients.

Along with Denmark Hill, Dog Kennel Hill was named to honour George of Denmark, husband of Queen Anne, who kept the kennels for his hounds here.

Dog Kennel Hill Adventure Playground was established 40 years ago in the 70’s as a free open access facility for children of 5-16. It’s run by a local committee who manage to creatively source funding to keep it open.
Kids can play here and take risk in a safe and supervised interaction with a real world environment after school or during the holidays.

Lordship Lane spans Goose Green to Wood Vale as the most senior thoroughfare in Dulwich. The lane is now considered ancient and has a rich history. Enid Blyton, the world famous children’s writer, was born at number 354 before the house was destroyed in the war.

The lane offers a wide selection of bars, eateries and specialist independent retailers sitting in line with its accepted village status.

Trains serve this Zone 2 district via Southern and a few bus routes still mimic the old tram routes throughout.

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Filmed and edited by Dewyne Lindsay http://dewyne.uk
Music by Yeth Thar. https://yeththar.bandcamp.com/
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Full Series Playlist - https://bit.ly/2CcZFSA
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