General
Highly regarded for its excellent schools, 72 acre park and superb picture gallery, A leafy enclave just four miles from Whitehall with a selection of fine properties, Dulwich Village still manages to preserve the charm of an old English village whilst providing a home to many City executives who value the greenery and white picket fences. Schools and children are an important part of Dulwich life which is not surprising as the village grew up alongside Dulwich College (established by Edward Alleyn, Jacobean actor and entrepreneur in 1619). The school re-sited to West Dulwich in the 19th century but much of the land is still owned by The Dulwich Estate which ensures that the area still retains its village charm. Home to the Dulwich Picture Gallery, the oldest art gallery in Britain (designed by Sir John Soane in 1811). The Gallery was refurbished in 2000 and now offers a great restaurant, regular exhibitions, lectures and courses for all ages.

Property
Dulwich Village is one of the most sought-after addresses in this part of south London. In Dulwich Village itself, which stretches from Red Post Hill on the north side to College Road on the south, are a mixture of magnificent detached and terraced Georgian villas with huge gardens and impressive frontages, large semis, detached and terraced mid-war houses, a smattering of individual 19th century properties, some more modern houses built in Georgian style, a group of tiny terraced cottages and flats over the tops of the Victorian shops. Boxall and Aysgarth are very pretty roads leading off the Village and are made up of attractive two and three bedroom terraced cottages, and Pickwick Road, which runs adjacent, offers larger three and four bedroom 1920s’ family houses. Turney Road runs from the centre of the Village down to Croxted Road, and comprises three to five bedroom semi-detached period houses with excellent reception space and generous gardens the majority of which back onto playing fields. At the Village end of Turney Road is Roseway, an attractive pre-war development of semi-detached houses which provide good living space whilst looking like traditional English country cottages.

Burbage Road, stretching from Dulwich Village to Half Moon Lane, is very popular with families due to its close proximity to the centre of the Village, the fact that it is within easy reach of all the local schools and the excellent transport links at Herne Hill. The houses here vary in size from solid three-four bedroom 1920s’ semis to imposing six and seven bedroom late Victorian villas. Other roads with large family houses include Gilkes Crescent, Calton Avenue, Court Lane and Court Lane Gardens. All these roads are close to the centre of the Village and many are within the catchment areas of Dulwich Infants and Dulwich Hamlet. To the eastern side of Dulwich Village, popular roads made up of (largely) Victorian family houses are Woodwarde, Dovercourt, Druce, Dekker, Eynella and Eastlands Crescent.

More modern houses in and around the village include developments such as College Gardens, a Wates-built development of five bedroom houses over four floors set around attractive communal gardens with access to a large playing field. Across from here is Woodyard Lane which is small development of Huf houses imported from Germany and constructed on a small secluded site tucked away off the Village overlooking the park. Other developments worth checking out include Hambledon Place (Mrs Thatcher’s home for a brief period when she ceased to be prime minister) and Mitchells Place in the centre of the Village.

Schools
As with all parts of London, catchment areas cross boundaries and, included in this list, therefore, are schools where the catchments include Dulwich Village.

State Primaries: Dulwich Hamlet Junior School, Dulwich Infants, Bessemer Grange School, Rosendale Primary School. State secondaries: Kingsdale Secondary School (now with 6th form), The Charter School (New Labour flagship school).

Fee paying schools in the proximity include: Virgo Fidelis Prep. School (nursery to 11 years), Herne Hill School ages 3 - 7, Dulwich College (separate but affiliated kindergarden - DUCKS - and junior schools) (nursery to 18 years), Dulwich College Prep School (nursery to 13 years), Alleyns (4 to 18 years), James Allen Prep School (mixed nursery to 7 years, girls only 8 to 11 years), James Allen Girls School (11 to 18 years) and Sydenham High School (4 to 18 years).

For details of school results (SATS, GCSE & A level) together with addresses and map visit schools in Southwark and for schools in Lambeth. A list of all schools in Dulwich can be found on www.dulwich.co.uk/schools.html

Shops
The area’s shops are in keeping with its village ambiance. There is no supermarket in the Village itself (nearby East Dulwich has a Sainsbury’s superstore and there is a Sainsbury’s Local in Herne Hill and a Tesco Express in West Dulwich) but there is a great Italian deli Panino d’oro and Shepherd’s greengrocers which specializes in organic food, both sell the basics like milk, bread and some fruit and veg. For clothes, there is Biff (children and babies), Aqua (stylish ladies clothing with fabulous accessories), Gina Holland (designer clothes), Tomlinsons (a branch of the Dulwich Trader (see West Dulwich) and absolutely filled with gorgeous items, also perfect for buying a lovely gift for that someone special) and Questionnaire (assorted selection of designer clothes). Aqua 2, a stylish fashion shop next to Le Piaf in the heart of the Village. There is also The Dulwich Bookshop, Scobies dry cleaners, Bartleys (flower shop), the Post office, Au Ciel, chocolatier (a varied range of tempting treats and indulgent cakes along with gift boxes which are ideal for a special present), Jags (unique designer handbags), Pope’s Opticians, The Art Stationers (informally known as Mr Green’s (who has written books on the Village and is recognized as an authority on the area – the shop sells good selections of stationery, art supplies and toys), Harold George (hair and beauty), Studio 45, Rumsey Chemist, Forbuoys (newsagent), Lesley Leale Green (Award-winning health and beauty clinic) and now with a new shop in West Dulwich too, There is a new deli where Francis Jevons used to be called Romeo Jones.  It sells delicious breads and fresh soup amongst other fresh produce and deli fair and you can have a cup of coffee there too.

Restaurants & Bars
Au Ciel, chocolatier is perfect for a leisurely sit down with a delicious selection of French chocolates and patisseries, whilst their milkshakes and coffee are thoroughly enjoyed and devoured by many, Panino d’oro has tables outside for capaccino, croissants, lunches and teas and, during weekdays is a favourite meeting place for parents after the morning school run. Cafe Rouge has now opened. Pizza Express has a courtyard for tables outside, Le Piaf has tables outside in the summer, is open for lunch and dinner (breakfast at weekends) and serves great, French food and, central to village life, is the Crown and Greyhound public house which also serves food and has a garden (so families are welcome). Finally, the Dulwich Picture Gallery now has its own restaurant which is worth a visit.

Other
Village life is very full with active amateur dramatics (Dulwich Players), running (Dulwich Runners), Dulwich College and JAGS sports clubs (current membership fees: Dulwich £336 for one adult and £474 for a family/JAGS £360 for one adult and £660 for a family, a wine society (Dulwich Wine Society) and a choral group (Dulwich Choral Society). Dulwich is home to an enormous number of clubs and societies ranging from The Dulwich Society which aims to increase awareness of local history and character to Powerpramming which meets each week to power walk with prams in Dulwich Park! All these groups have web sites. A list of some of them can be found on www.dulwich.co.uk/links.php and typing “clubs in Dulwich” in the Google search engine will provide still more! Dulwich Park in the heart of the village was presented to the people of London by the Dulwich Estate. It is a typical London park with a life of its own but worth mentioning are the boating lake, the bike hire, tennis courts (lessons available), riding (Dulwich Riding School is situated just outside the park on Dulwich Common) and café – a great place to meet friends in the summer whilst the children run about nearby. There is a great (quite recently refurbished) children’s play area and lots of activities centred on the park. The area around The Dulwich Picture Gallery is home to the Old Grammar School and The Old College from which The Dulwich Estate currently administers large parts of land in the area. The Estate is a charity which contributes to the running and upkeep of the Foundation Schools (in Dulwich, Dulwich College, Alleyns and James Allen’s). The Dulwich Picture is famous all over the world for its collection of Old Masters. It has regular innovative exhibitions and a large local membership.

Transport
North Dulwich Station, situated in what is technically Herne Hill, provides a quarter-hourly service to London Bridge (approx 15 mins) and Croydon and links with East Dulwich and Wimbledon. Trains from West Dulwich Station (about ¾ mile from the centre of the village) go to Victoria (12 minutes) and Orpington with a rush-hour service to Blackfriars. In addition, Herne Hill Station is within easy walking distance of the north side of the Village. This is one stop nearer to Victoria on the West Dulwich line and Thameslink services to City Thameslink, Kings Cross and Luton also stop here. The 137 bus travels between Brixton and Putney (via Clapham) and the P4 travels from Brixton and Lewisham (via Honor Oak). The P13 travels along Dulwich Common (at the north end) from New Cross to Streatham (via East & West Dulwich). Go to Journey Checker for details of trains serving these stations. Detailed information on buses (with map) can be found at www.tfl.gov.uk/buses/spiders.