It’s resisted regeneration for some time, but Lewisham is finally on our radar, with Deptford, New Cross and Peckham all feeling like they have a lot more to offer than a slow descent into gentrification. You’re going to want to watch this space…
First up: Deptford. Newcomer Marcella has our carb cravings covered and Lil Nan’s is already our go to for TGIFriday archway vibes, and now there’s more. Deptford Bites is the brand new weekly food market from Kate McKenzie, bringing Deptford-raised Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, Black Mylk and Oyster Boy to the Yard, and look out for more Deptford Bites Live with Grace Dent. Don’t miss new opening Isla Ray either, with Antipodean-inspired eats from Rachael Dalton-Loveland, who worked with Home Grown in Pop Brixton before setting up her new cafe-bar on the high street.
Walk 10 minutes up the street and into New Cross, and by September you’ll find the brand new Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), taking over a disused Grade II-listed Victorian-era baths and cast-iron water tanks to give contemporary art from around the world a new platform in south London. Turner Prize-winners Assemble were commissioned as the architects for the space, which will launch with purpose-built installations by surrealist video artist Mika Rottenberg.
And further out in Peckham, while we wait for Frank’s to open for summer (it feels endless now!), Gala 2018 will be at its new home of Peckham Rye Park (moving from Brockwell) for Sunday 27th May. If you’ve been meaning to catch up with south London’s ridiculously rich talent pool, Gala is all about championing local and emerging talent. Don’t miss Bradley Zero’s Rhythm Section stage or Rye Wax and Yam Records sets – final tickets on sale now.
Oh, and in case you haven’t heard, there’s also potential extension for the Bakerloo line to Deptford in the next few years… SE just got a whole more appealing.
