Hit the road…three villages within a stone’s throw of Central London ST ALBANS London is an amalgamation of villages, which have swelled and joined to become one great big metropolis. It’s great, it’s busy, and it gets crowded. Londoners go, go, go all week long, and at the weekend, they like to BEXLEY relax and take stock. Escaping the DULWICH VILLAGE concrete jungle of city life can recharge the batteries so with this in mind, we have explored three villages for you to visit: a local village, one outside London, and one just further afield. Enjoy! 4 FOCUS The Magazine July/August 2017 www.focus-info.org SOUTH London’s Local Village: Dulwich You’re thinking that you need some ‘village life’, but you don’t really want to travel outside London. You want quaintness and charm, without the long journey. You’ve been to Hampstead too many times now, and are looking for a change. Dulwich Village has reigned as London’s little village hang out for some time. You probably heard a colleague mention it, but had no idea what was in store for you there. It’s time to explore! Zone 3 seems too close for a village, and when you realise that you are still in the Borough of Southwark, you’ll wonder if for those buildings. this is too good to be true. Don’t question it; London is full of Lunch for the day can be had at the gallery or in one of the surprises and Dulwich Village is one of the best. White picket cafés in the village. Romeo Jones has a deli with a selection signs, tree-lined roads, a large park, a famous gallery, and that is easily portable. Stock up and the head to the park. enough restaurants, pubs and cafés to keep you fed and wa - Dulwich Park is 76 acres of lush green goodness - perfect tered. A 13-minute train from Victoria or a short bus ride from for indulging the senses and keeping that mobile phone Brixton, and suddenly you find the ‘stop’ that you are craving. tucked away on silent. If you left the bicycle at home, you can Alight at North Dulwich, and make your way to the high street, rent one here. There is also cricket, tennis, a bowling green, also called Dulwich Village. Since the station doesn’t pour and outside gym equipment. Feed the squirrels, enjoy a picnic, onto the village, you’ll need to walk or hop on a bus to get to or take a nap on the grass. the actual village. If nostalgia hits you, or if your kids ask you “What is a drive- Dulwich Village Farmers’ Market takes place on Saturdays in cinema?” you could give them the next best thing by attend - from 10.00-14.00, just near the corner of Dulwich Village and ing a film at Luna Cinema. It’s an outdoor cinema where they Turney Road. It’s too tempting not to buy a courgette, lime and show modern classics such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and pistachio cake from Honeypie Bakery or a jar of pickled kimchi Pretty Woman. Harry Potter fans will be able to see Fantastic from Vadasz Deli. The village jewel is the Crown & Greyhound Beasts and Where to Find Them under the stars in June. Pub, which locals refer to as The Dog. A short distance away from Dulwich Village is Herne Hill. It’s Shopping in a village always feels guilt-free. It’s as if you are home to Herne Hill Velodrome. If you have always fancied try - on a mini-holiday and suddenly you are surrounded by oppor - ing to ride on a velodrome track, you can attend one of the tunities to purchase items you might never see again. A coaching sessions. sneak-peak into Tomlinson for homeware or Jane Newbery for Cool down with a cool brew at Canopy sleekly designed gifts. Beer on Norwood Road. The beer is Shopping might have to wait if you are in the mood for cul - both refreshing and full of char - ture. Dulwich Picture Gallery beckons you to its hallowed halls. acter. Slowly making its way It’s the world’s first purpose-built public art gallery and holds into select locations around an astonishing collection of Baroque masterpieces and other London, you can buy from works. The building itself is something to behold. Designed by their tap room to drink there Sir John Soane, it uses skylights for its natural light. Art lovers or take home as a nice who have been to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles or the memory of your trust in a local village. Kimball Art Gallery in Fort Worth will recognise the inspiration www.focus-info.org FOCUS The Magazine 5 NORTH Just Outside London: St Albans Twenty minutes and you are transported back to a Roman town. Known as Verulamium, this was the first major town on the Roman Road heading north from London. St Albans is in Hertfordshire, and is a delightful place to discover. The history is deep here, there is a cathedral to visit, markets and shop - ping to keep you amused, and much, much more. Alban was a local Verulamium man who lived in the 3rd/4th century. He took in a Christian priest who was fleeing perse - cution and was impressed with his faith, so he converted to Hugh Grundy, and lyricist Tim Rice. Christianity. Authorities searched his house for the priest, and If you are thirsty and want to stick to the history theme, Alban wore the cloak and presented himself instead. He re - you’ll need to head to Ye Olde Fighting Cocks. The Guinness fused to renounce his faith and was executed. When his head Book of World Records has named this Britain’s oldest pub. It was chopped off, the legend states that his head rolled down - dates back to the eighth century, and the building dates to the hill and when it stopped, a well of water sprang up on the very 11th century. The monks used the cellars, and yes, there was spot. cock fighting here for almost 600 years. This pub is also In 61 AD, Boudica of the Iceni tribe ordered St Albans to be proudly part of the Campaign for Real Ale, so the beers sold burned, and a layer of ash has been discovered to corroborate are authentic, individual and delicious. the story. In medieval times, an abbey was founded here and A Roman City would have had a Roman Wall, and you’ll be this became a principal abbey in England. The first draft of able to see this in St Albans too. Not much remains, but you’ll Magna Carta was written at St Albans Abbey. You can learn be able to make out the distinct layering technique employed more about the history of St Albans at Verulamium Museum, by the Roman builders. It’s managed by English Heritage, or return in 2018 when the Museum of St Albans finishes its which also owns Old Gorgambury House, a little further away, new building. St Albans’ clock tower dates back to the early the 16th century home of Sir Nicholas Bacon. 1400s and can be climbed for £1. The bell inside is called The itch to shop can be scratched in St Albans. A monthly Gabriel and it was rung at the start of the first battle of the farmers’ market on Sundays will help you to plan your visit. Wars of the Roses. There is also a weekly market every Wednesday and St Albans Cathedral is not to be missed. The exterior Saturday; there has been a regular market in this location dat - beauty can only be matched by the interior. Free guided tours ing back to the 11th century. The Maltings is a rabbit warren are on offer. Architecture dates back to Norman times, but it of shops, food outlets and more, but has a 1980s feel to it stopped being an abbey in the 16th century and was made a and lacks atmosphere. George Street has a better feel for vil - cathedral in 1877. It is said to have the longest nave in lage shopping. You could indulge in a long lunch at one of the England, and sports both medieval wall paintings, and the many restaurants, but if the weather is nice, a picnic in shrine to St Alban. Verulamium Park with a view of the lake bridge would be the Next to the cathedral is St Albans School. You can’t visit, perfect place to enjoy a bit of sunshine and a taste of village but it’s nice to know that it boasts past pupils (known as OAs, life. Not far from the Verulamium Museum on St Michael’s short for Old Albanians) such as theoretical physicist Stephen Street is the Waffle House, with a delicious menu and set in a Hawking, The Zombies’ founder members Paul Atkinson and 16th century watermill. t e k r a M s ’ n a b l A t S g n i s s o r C d r o F c i r o t s i H 6 FOCUS The Magazine July/August 2017 www.focus-info.org SOUTH EAST Go Further Afield: Bexley (South East) The first thought that might enter your mind is ‘where?’ It’s s n not in the top 20, but it’s something of a hidden gem that can e d r transform a normal Saturday into an exceptional day out.