For such a small art gallery, the Dulwich Picture Gallery does feel like a giant in the art world. Within the rooms, the walls are graced with paintings by Rembrandt, Watteau, Poussin, Gainsborough and Canaletto. I often find the gallery's intimate and relaxed setting gives me more permission to enjoy the paintings. The natural lighting and unobtrusive curators also adds to the peaceful walk through the gallery.
The Dulwich Picture Gallery was England's first art gallery purposely built for public enjoyment. Sir Francis Bourgeois and Noël Desenfans were instrumental in putting together the collection about two hundred years ago. You can thank them yourself - they are buried in a mausoleum in the centre of the museum!
The added bonus of visiting the gallery is seeing the village of Dulwich itself. Although it is only a 15 minute train ride from Victoria station and London Bridge, I feel like I am in village straight out of an Agatha Christie novel. Tiny churchyards, a village hall and many quaint shops will greet you as you make your way to the gallery.
Find your way with 222 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Barnsbury Wood is enjoyed by Londoners all year round, but it is at its most glorious in the summer months when the trees are drenched in golden sunlight.
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The gardens and pergola are open to the public and are a great spot for a walk or a peaceful afternoon with a good book in hand while lying on the grass.
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The people of Bonnington Square really know how to foster a vibe with leafy exotic plants spraying scattered shadows as you sit and eat...
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From focaccia to pasta, coffee to cake, this one-stop shop is as much a place to buy your brew and bread as it is to have a lunchtime bite of pasta...
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Of all the reasons why you have to check out this idyllic boozer, perhaps the most important is that this is the home of the finest scotch egg in London.
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Birds sing while trains rumble along atop the parallel railway arches, old men play boule in the shade and planes skim overhead on approach to Heathrow.
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From the run-down chic aesthetic to the strong beer selection and excellent pub garden, there are no chinks in the Dog House's armour...
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Inside, the bar is a welcoming, tightly-packed vibe with old-fashioned, old-world decor with gorgeous bare wood surfaces & countless pictures on the walls.
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The unassuming, retro signage outside amidst the noise & din of Waterloo might pull you in, but what makes you stay is the genuine town tavern feel inside.
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With a rustic French feel, Pierre offers dishes with rich red-wine sauces and tasty meats from much of the spectrum of the French culinary roster.
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With old-fashioned vintage Guinness branding adoring just about every surface, this is the ideal spot to take a moment and enjoy a perfectly-poured pint.
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Built back in 2010 on the site of a disused railway line, it’s a local secret: a quiet, forest-like space to retreat to when city life becomes overwhelming.
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222 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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