you may have been wondering what was happening at the old Il Mirto site on Melbourne Grove We can now reveal that it's going to be a very interesting new neighbourhood restaurant What's interesting about a rotisserie place If we tell you that the folk behind it are John Ogier (ex-The Marksman and Lasdun) and chef Jack Coghlan (ex-Planque and Lyle's) that might make you sit up and pay attention We caught up with John yesterday to find out a little bit more about what to expect "I've been planning this in my head for a long time," he told us I felt that I wanted to do something more local and Jack's local-ish (he lives in Peckham) Rotisserie chicken does seem to be on trend right now "I hate to be on trend but I have been planning this for the past two years." So what's going to make their place different Me and Jack are going to be front and centre so we can just do super delicious chicken at a price point that works." They're still working out suppliers for the chickens doing research at farms up in Yorkshire and Suffolk for the right size of bird for the rotisserie but we're told the chicken will be treated with a top-secret rub ("I could tell you the recipe but I'd have to kill you") and served with rotisserie potatoes and chips his partner is Helen Evans who's behind the amazing East Dulwich bakery Eric's She's working on some milk buns for Norbert's so they can serve up roast chicken and confit garlic in a milk bun for lunch with a cup of chicken broth for a tenner Vegetarians won't miss out as there will also be a radish & egg mayo milk bun on offer too there's going to be a tight list of cocktails including pina colada pisco sour and a Norbert's margarita with a chicken skin salt rim The space is small - just 20 seats - but the vibes will be immaculate with a playlist consisting mainly of 70s/80s/90s bangers - think Def Leppard Pour Some Sugar on Me as a perfect playlist track "I'm not cool or trying to be cool," insists John This is somewhere you can come in for lunch with your kids or later with your friends and have a bottle of wine." They'll also be doing takeout if you want to grab a chicken for dinner at home "People take themselves too seriously and I'm so over it," says John Find out more: Follow them on Instagram @norbertslondon Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners Please enable the javascript to submit this form By signing up you agree to our privacy policy View on Google maps About us  |  Contact Us  |  RSS Feed  |  Site directory  |  Privacy policy  |  Log in/out Join 50,000 other Londoners getting exclusive news and restaurant offers from Hot Dinners. Please enable the javascript to submit this form By signing up you agree to our privacy policy See our previous newsletters here Welcome to bdonline.co.uk. This site uses cookies. Read our policy By 2025-03-10T05:00:00+00:00 Clad in pale brick with an iroko timber fascia the Coach House features exposed aggregate concrete with timber mullions and a softwood ceiling to control light and add warmth Open Practice Architecture has completed the Coach House designed in collaboration with interior design studio Kinder Design The project is located on a site previously occupied by an automotive garage and outbuildings which includes a courtyard garden and a separate guest suite annexe Open Practice and Kinder Design acquired the site at auction in 2017 with the main house completed in 2022 and the annexe added in late 2023 The design is intended to retain the volume of the original building’s footprint while introducing stronger connections to outdoor space and improving natural light penetration The building presents as a cubic L-shaped mews house clad in pale brick with a horizontal iroko timber fascia that runs along the perpendicular rooflines The interior includes a vaulted steel staircase leading to a double-height atrium and a double-width skylight with glazing and wide-panelled windows across both floors Timber battens and mullions divide the window widths intended to control light distribution while maintaining privacy “The aim for the Coach House was to stitch the building into the historic context of the site whilst using modern detailing to enhance openness The interior design incorporates neutral walls light ash flooring and a painted softwood ceiling The kitchen and living areas feature exposed aggregate concrete flooring oak veneer cabinetry and stainless steel countertops contrasts with the main house through the use of solid ash cladding The development also incorporates thermal insulation and an outdoor heat source pump as part of its energy strategy “It’s exciting to be amongst a growing number of architects who are pivoting into development as a way of navigating a difficult market,” said Scott “This shift presents a great opportunity for London with many thoughtful and contextually sensitive housing projects appearing throughout the city.” Principal contractor Evoke Projects (excluding annexe) Windows and external joinery Simin Birtwistle Design Flooring Reeve Wood (ash engineered floor) recycled plastic has rapidly evolved into a high-performance material embraced by the construction and landscaping sectors Its journey from post-consumer waste to durable infrastructure reflects a broader shift toward sustainable With growing pressure on architects and specifiers to reduce embodied carbon and .. Retrofit of 150 Aldersgate includes new terraces a reconfigured entrance and a public art installation Commercial workspace has seen its most significant shift in decades starting with the rise of remote working and rapidly evolving into hybrid and flexible arrangements While hybrid work has become the standard for millions an increasing number of UK businesses are now advocating for employees to spend more time in .. has announced the ten AI-led startups selected for its accelerator programme under the Innovate UK BridgeAI initiative The programme is intended to promote the practical application of artificial intelligence (AI) in sectors with high growth potential Calling all manufacturers and product suppliers Episode 2 of our Mastering the Detail webinar series features an insightful conversation with Philippa Birch-Wood offering a candid look into what really influences architectural specification decisions The UK’s social housing sector is undergoing a significant transformation as it works to decarbonise its heat and hot water provision This is about more than just supporting the country’s net-zero 2050 target – energy efficiency is essential to tackling fuel poverty and addressing rising operational costs Site powered by Webvision Cloud We’re fighting to make sure our community has a voice and stays in the know and the stories you won’t find anywhere else – covering every bit of our borough And you’ll get our weekly members-only newsletter to get unrivalled content you won’t find anywhere else Please enter your username or email address to reset your password East Dulwich’s Victorian and Edwardian terraces are considerably less grand than the Georgian piles of Dulwich Village next door — frequently described as one of the poshest areas in the capital They’re also a good deal less expensive and within walking distance of the village’s prized assets: powerhouse private schools (excellent state schools are also available); works by Rembrandt Rubens and Gainsborough at the genteel Dulwich Picture Gallery; and the glorious 76 acres of Dulwich Park spring cherry blossom and spectacular azaleas and rhododendrons Community spirit comes deeply rooted: in the compact St Francis Park South London Urban Growers (Slug for short) run free veg planting and"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":200})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Developed after the opening of the railway station in 1868 The Sunday TimesDeveloped after the opening of the railway station in 1868 South London Urban Growers (Slug for short) run free veg planting and The TimesMy name is Cathy Adams and I’m an East Dulwich Mum wear my long Uniqlo puffercoat to school drop-off and have been known to queue outside Mons Cheesemongers for gruyère for homemade raclette A raclette kit wouldn’t fit on my kitchen island But us East Dulwich Mums — the EDMs — make the antics of Amandaland’s south Harlesden (SoHa) residents look like Montessori child’s play And if our 16,000-member Facebook group makes us a cult I’ve lived in this southeast London neighbourhood Peckham to the east and Forest Hill to the south for six years — about the average wait for a Southwark Council has opened two new sharing libraries in East Dulwich and Elephant and Castle where residents can borrow DIY items for ‘a few pounds a day’ The Library of Things in Dulwich Leisure Centre and Castle Leisure Centre is offering useful everyday items such as carpet cleaners saving residents from buying brand new items that won’t be used regularly There is also popular party equipment available to rent The opening of the two new locations follows the success of the first Library of Things site in Canada Water Library which opened in 2023 and means all Southwark residents now have access to a sharing library within 1.5 miles of where they live Canada Water Library of Things has already saved residents over £300,000 making sharing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to buying Southwark Council Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency said: “We are thrilled to expand Library of Things in Southwark with two new locations which means most of our residents now live in close proximity to a site they can use “We have seen in Canada Water how community borrowing can save residents money help them pick up new skills and foster a greater sense of community – all whilst reducing their own carbon footprint and helping the planet “That’s why we’re proud to be leading the way for the sharing economy in London with this expansion showing how tackling the climate emergency and becoming more sustainable is something that can be fun convenient and allows people to save money at the same time.” We'll never send you spam or share your email address Find out more in our Privacy Policy London’s largest independent pub and dining group has today announced the re-opening of the iconic East Dulwich Tavern following a £1 million refurbishment the charming pub holds a key location on the high street sitting proudly on the corner of Lordship Lane and Goose Green Known for its welcoming atmosphere and strong ties with the local area the pub has long been a favourite among East Dulwich locals and Dulwich Hamlet fans who fill the space on match days creating a sea of pink and blue The extensive month-long refurbishment has transformed the space while retaining its unique character The main floor offers a lively and relaxed setting perfect for drinks with friends or enjoying one of the pub’s expertly crafted Sunday roasts One of the most exciting changes to the EDT is the opening up of the upstairs area which will now be accessible at all times via the new internal staircase Previously reserved exclusively for private hire this space features its own bar and sound system offering additional seating and a vibrant extension of the pub’s atmosphere Private events and celebrations remain bookable with the upstairs rooms holding space for up to 120 people The EDT’s strong community focus will remain through a packed calendar of events designed to bring people together including comedy nights The pub also maintains its close connection with Dulwich Hamlet FC proudly sponsoring banners at the stadium and remaining the go-to spot for pre- and post-match celebrations menu of pub classics and specials all prepared on site daily All dishes will use quality ingredients from London-based suppliers such as HG Walter butchers and Rushton’s greengrocers said: “The East Dulwich Tavern is a true icon of the area and we’re incredibly excited to breathe new life into such a beloved pub we can’t wait to re-open the doors and welcome everyone back.” The East Dulwich Tavern re-opens to the public on Monday 10th March For more information visit https://www.urbanpubsandbars.com/venues/the-east-dulwich-tavern Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy London without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. London featuring a new-wave Caribbean takeaway and the return of a great breakfast burrito restauranteurs across the capital have been saving up all their new openings for May As well as stand-alone spots and independent outings, there are also a handful of non-rubbish chains launching new sites this month, with a new Bancone promised for Kensington, the biggest ever Black Bear Burger opening up in Westfield White City and a new outing for e5 Bakehouse at the V&A East Storehouse in Hackney Wick there aren’t enough days in May for us to visit all of them Here are some of the best – choose your foodie fighter.  There’s nowt so buzzy as regenerative farming right now a new central London spot from Pastaio’s Stevie Parle from potato bread with beef dripping and tempura sage leaves drizzled in chilli and honey from Stevie’s own bees to Seasalter clams with sherry and grass-fed butter and wood-grilled Romney Marsh hogget with Chianti and anchovy butter most ambitious project I’ve ever done We are helping to pioneer a genuinely new approach to restaurant supply chains built on knowing every farmer who grows what we cook,’ says Stevie there’ll be a custom soundsystem as well as a full-throttle events programme as well as food with a focus on female chefs such as  Opeoluwa Odutayo The views across the river remain impeccable.  The team behind Dalston’s ever-intriguing Angelina is opening up a second spot near Shoreditch Osteria Angelina will do the same Japanese-Italian fusion thing a focus on binchotan fired grill dishes and oodles of antipasti A small tear ran down Time Out’s cheek when Panadera closed its Kentish Town bakery last year but little did we know that plans were in place to move the Filipino bakehouse up west Florence Mae Maglanoc just launched the brand new Panadera flagship in Soho with a bigger broader menu that takes in café specials from further afield in east and southeast Asia Sign us up for the longanisa sausage roll and ube pan suisse You might remember Mexican street food slingers Bad Manners from their last graveyard; St John at Hackney Churchyard This sublime shack has now upped sticks to hang out by the headstones of Shoreditch Church but will continue to serve the finest hangover cure in east London as well as a new menu from chef Rodrigo Cervantes that features the likes of a blood orange rib barbacoa burrito. It opens May 7.  First; the adorable part – Marvee’s is named after chef Dom Taylor’s mum Dom describes his new project as a ‘playful soulful nod to the classic Caribbean takeaway’ Norbert’s comes from restauranter John Ogier (Lyle's and The Marksman) and chef Jack Coghlan (Planque) – a small So much so that there’ll be a margarita with a chicken salt rim on offer.  The British obsession with Basque cuisine isn’t over yet Chef Simon Shand has returned to the site of his old stomping ground Inspired by a trip to San Sebastián the Med-heavy menu will feature the likes of pork shoulder and smoked eel croquettes brown crab arancini; and anchovies with lardo on marjoram toast fed up with dodging influencers making vox pops for TikTok but would rather avoid the humiliation of a tourist trap like the Shakespeares Head A tribute to exceedingly chic Parisian bar à vins there’ll be plenty of juicy reds and a menu stacked full of escargot as prepared by head chef Giacomo Peretti (ex-Le Gavroche From FM Mangal through to the Camberwell Arms (not to mention Veraison Wines it’s impossible not to eat well on Camberwell Church Street Now a new contender steps into the fray in the old Forza Wine site; Hello JoJo is an all-day resto/bakery with head chef Will Faris whipping up smoked potato dumplings with spring greens and Tamworth pork chop with garlic sauce and head baker Jo Garner doing daytime honey buns bacon sarnies and chocolate rye swiss roll from 8am.  You thought you’d heard the last of Giorgio Locatelli after his Michelin-rated Locanda Locatelli closed at the start of 2025 Locatelli will be opening in the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery on May 10 The menu will be packed full of classic Italian dishes and plenty of pasta pecorino and rucola to braised veal ravioli with parsley gremolata an espresso bar with a mini ‘maritozzi’ pastry menu Chef Yiannis Mexis’s debut restaurant is all about big old flame-cookery and Greek flavour Mexis knows what he’s doing – the former head chef at Hide has also done time at The Ledbury Elystan Street and Petrus – and his own menu will lean into high end spanakopita and souvlaki Cocktails have been devised by Ana Reznik (A Bar With Shapes For A Name) and there’ll be an open-air garden which should be pretty vibey during the summer Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! tiktokfacebooktwitteryoutubeAbout us Contact us Kirby Estate Street Party for local kids in May 1945 80 years on from the momentous day on 8th May 1945 Southwark will be marking the occasion with parties After being at war for over five-and-a-half years this day marked the surrender of the German forces Londoners reacted by throwing a city-wide party with huge crowds gathering in Trafalgar Square and smaller parties cropping up all over London it has been 80 years since this victorious day and Southwark will be marking the occasion in numerous ways From nostalgic commemorations of those who lived through the war to street parties and pubs staying open until 1am Memories from a South London soldier released in a book: the aunt and granddaughter of an RAF fighter from Deptford have compiled his diaries and memoirs Air Raids and RAF Days is based on John Teagues real experience living as an RAF soldier It was initially compiled as a 90th birthday gift for John who lived to the age of 100 before passing away in 2022 The book has now been refined and released to the public so that future generations can connect with the untold human stories of WWII John served in the civil defence air raid control centre in Camberwell Town Hall and was tasked with requisitioning houses and re-homing bombed out families He later served in the RAF as a wireless mechanic and was stationed across Europe Della says: “John was just an ordinary boy who loved books and wanted to study but he lived through extraordinary times and we wanted to honour that Air Raids and RAF Days is available now via Amazon and selected retailers East Dulwich church honours the Vicar that led to its reconstruction following WW2 bombing: St John the Evangelist in Goose Green will be honouring the Revd Charles McKenzie who took a leading role its reconstruction after the war A memorial plaque will be dedicated to the vicar during a service on Sunday 4th May The Bishop of Woolwich and the family of Revd McKenzie will attend The church will also celebrate 160 years since it’s consecration It first opened on 16th May1865 but was almost completely destroyed by air raids during the Blitz in 1940 the church continued its ministry throughout the war It used air raid shelters and hospitals to maintain worship when Revd McKenzie arrived as the vicar that plans began to restore it with the church finally rededicated in 1951 Charles McKenzie’s children, John and Mary say: “We are delighted that our father’s contribution to the rebuilding of St John’s is being recognised.  it is also wonderful for his life and work to be permanently commemorated on this new plaque.” there will be numerous opportunities to celebrate across Southwark to commemorate VE Day Pubs will be allowed to stay open until 1am to mark the occasion Councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle will be opening the Elmington Estate’s 80th anniversary party on Saturday 3rd May the Chair of the Tenant and Resident Association (MBE) says that anyone from the local area is welcome to attend the iconic faces of the British Army’s veteran community will be making an appearance and so will firefighters from Peckham Road Fire Station popcorn jerk chicken and other snacks donated by Saltash construction who works closely with the Tenant and Resident Association Dance the night away with a party reminiscent of the streets of Britain in May 1945 The HMS Belfast will be open till late to mark the occasion There will be a complimentary glass of Prosecco and a chance to explore the iconic ship You can dance on all nine of the ships deck listening to the vocal trio The Charlalas and interact with living history re-enactors as alcohol is being served this event is for adults aged 18+ only Choir performance at the Imperial War Museum: Visit the IWM London to hear a live performance of songs from the 1940s to the present day They will be sung by members of local London choirs sadness and community to commemorate the day the war came to an end Family street party at the Imperial War Museum: Families and communities can come together at IMW London’s family hub for street party activities flower making and paper plat portraiture and games for children If you are interested in the history of our local area why not sign up to our regular newsletter which contains lots of fascinating historical info and website in this browser for the next time I comment has announced the re-opening of the iconic East Dulwich Tavern following a £1 million refurbishment The popular pub will reopen Friday March 14 CLH News is published by RBC Publishing Ltd Contributions are welcome for consideration no responsibility will be accepted for loss or damage Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy the publisher will assume no responsibility for any effects All material is assumed copyright free unless otherwise advised London Bridge and East Dulwich Post Offices could be at risk of closure This comes as the Post Office revealed on Wednesday (13 November) that its Directly Managed branches weren’t making a profit A Post Office spokesperson said: “We are considering a range of options to reduce our central costs “This includes considering the future of our remaining Directly Managed Branches We have long held a publicly-stated ambition to move to a fully franchised network and we are in dialogue with the unions about future options for the DMBs.” Although no specific branches have been listed in the announcement East Dulwich and London Bridge are both Directly Managed stores and could therefore be under threat – along with 113 others The news has already sparked action from the Southwark Liberal Democrats, who have launched petitions to save East Dulwich and London Bridge branches They argue that their closure would leave many residents without easy access to essential postal and banking services which are particularly important for elderly residents and small businesses it is also a vital resource for those who travel into the area for work Cllr Victor Chamberlain and Cllr Rachel Bentley have also jointly written to the Chief Executive of the Post Office to urge a rethink they draw particular attention to the fact that a nearby Post Office on Blackfriars Road had been closed ‘temporarily’ last year the Labour group in Southwark voted down a suggestion from the Liberal Democrats for the council to campaign to re-open community Post Offices Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition and Borough and Bankside Councillor said: “The closure of London Bridge and East Dulwich Post Offices would be a devastating blow to our area These facilities provide services that are indispensable to our residents “Asking people to travel further for basic services would place an unfair burden on some of our most vulnerable residents I urge the Post Office to listen to the community’s concerns and keep this essential service open for the people of London Bridge and the surrounding areas Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader of the Opposition added: “We have launched a community petition to make clear the strength of support for saving the branches – we need to show that this is an issue residents care about and that we are not prepared to lose another service.” While London homes remain the most expensive in the country its house prices are not rising as fast as elsewhere in the country Homes & Property | Property News With London’s house prices on a go-slow, the place to go to meet a newly-minted property millionaire is Cambridge In the past year the university city has entered the rollcall of new £1m property markets, along with Chichester and Winchelsea This means that at least 20 per cent of local homes were sold for £1m or more in at least six months between September 2023 and September 2024 This is almost three times the national average sale price of average sale price of £343,822 Today’s research concentrates on areas where the proportion of £1.5m homes has grown Central London remains the UK’s most expensive location – but many of its postcodes have been dominated by £1m+ sales for decades The capital’s best performer in terms of seven-figure sales in the past year was voguish East Dulwich where the number of £1m+ sales increased from 26 per cent to 32 per cent of the total as families pile into the area for its good amenities and competition for three- to four-bedroom Victorian family houses near to transport links and good schools,” said buying agent Camilla Dell “Compared to Prime Central London it is like a different country.” head of UK residential research at Knight Frank blames the high cost of borrowing for inhibiting price growth in the UK In 2022/23 11 locations became new £1m+ markets compared to just three a year later The locations that did manage to cross the £1m+ threshold are all close enough to London to allow for at least a hybrid commute Cambridge is a lively cosmopolitan city with a great range of bars and shops and excellent schools Trains to King’s Cross take from 48 minutes Chichester and Winchelsea are further away but both allow buyers to live the dream being close to the sea “The enduring appeal of waterfront living has significantly bolstered property values in areas like Chichester and Winchelsea,” said Hamish Humfrey head of national waterfront at Knight Frank “Their relative proximity to London enhances their appeal providing an accessible retreat from urban life without compromising convenience The limited availability of waterfront properties in these regions further intensifies demand Knight Frank forecasts that UK house prices will increase by 2.5 per cent during 2025 which should create more £1m+ markets over the next year VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin Pregnant Jesy Nelson reveals plans for future in message from her hospital bed after surgery Pregnant Jesy Nelson reveals plans for future in message from hospital David Beckham extends olive branch to son Brooklyn amid 'family feud' If you've enjoyed a great biodynamic or organic bottle of wine in a London restaurant recently there's a decent chance that it was imported by Dynamic Vines They supply restaurants across the capital from Mountain and Lita to The Plimsoll and Peckham Bazaar Now the wine buyer team there are getting ready to open their first wine shop and bar a site sandwiched in between Moxon's Fishmonger and Mons Cheesemongers on Lordship Lane and just a few miles from their warehouse in Bermondsey As you might expect all the wines here will represent more than 60 independent winemakers running minimal intervention There's also going to be a considerable 'back catalogue' of vintage biodynamic wines as well All the wines will be available to take away or you can enjoy them in the wine bar without having to pay any corkage fee The bar itself will be set up as a mix of individual and communal tables and there'll be a terrace too for when the weather improves To go with the wine there will be a selection of charcuterie cheese or bread to either eat in or take away If you fancy meeting the people behind the wine they're planning a schedule of weekly drop-ins from visiting producers and regular tastings to try something new Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @dynamic_vines View on Google maps Emerging practice Working Title Architects has won approval for a 66m² one-bedroom house on a 3m-wide site in East Dulwich The Islington-based studio founded in 2023 by former Hutchinson & Partners director James Bazeley is working on the narrow infill plot with its sister company and development arm Working Title Land The site in Heber Road was previously a scaffold yard and is flanked to the east by a Victorian terrace and a new-build two-storey cottage which replaced a former street-front garage top-lit hallway with a ‘sculptural’ winding staircase This leads from the sunken ground-floor kitchen and dining area up to the first-floor sitting room and bathroom and ends in a double bedroom on the top floor The front façade will be made from London stock brick and feature a ‘deep-punched’ window and a precast stone arch The tiered rear elevation features profiled timber cladding the ‘restrained yet refined façade responds to Southwark’s cautious planning environment’ It said the site had previously been subject to ‘multiple unsuccessful' planning applications which allowed the architect/developer to buy the plot ‘on favourable terms from its previously frustrated owner’ The project will be all-electric with an air-source heat pump Tags Tokyo-based architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA chatted to the… Skyscraper expert SimpsonHaugh has submitted plans for a 50-storey and a 25-storey… MVRDV and Mecanoo are among five finalists vying to design… Squire & Partners has finally won planning I’m ashamed to say that if a client asked me to design somthing in a space like that i’d probably laugh at them Matilda and Tom Tsappis left East Dulwich to fulfill their dream of setting up a restaurant Homes & Property | Where to live renting and decorating in London from our award-winning experts I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice Matilda Tsappis was raised in rural Scotland her husband Tom grew up near Romford in Essex and they might never have met had they not both decided to spend a spell living and working in Japan They bumped into each other while watching a Rugby match at an English pub in Tokyo Since then this risk-taking couple have continued uprooting their lives and careers and then taking on a restaurant in the wilds of Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park Along the way they have also become parents to Evelyn The couple, both 36, had returned from Japan to the UK in 2014. They started off renting in Shoreditch before buying a one bedroom flat in East Dulwich “I decided I wanted to be a chef — I love cooking and I love eating at fancy restaurants and I wanted to do something I really cared about,” he said “My dad likes to joke that I wanted a job with just as much stress but nowhere near as much money.” As the couple settled into London Tom attended culinary school he decided to dip his toe in the restaurateur business by opening a supper club based in their flat squeezing up to 12 people into their open plan living room and kitchen and seating them on a communal fold out table “It was a way to have a restaurant without any of the overheads,” said Tom He continued hosting dinners until the eve of Covid-19 That first lockdown was a stressful time for the couple Tom was twiddling his fingers and bored while Matilda The enforced stay-at-home time accelerated Tom’s long-held plans to open a real restaurant “My mum is here — I thought it would be nice to go home and of course in Scotland you also get really good value for money when it comes to property,” she said “After being in a one bedroom flat with no outside space the idea of having somewhere with more room was really idyllic.” They began looking at potential businesses in May 2020 and by November they were the proud but slightly overwhelmed owners of Killiecrankie House a Victorian manse on the southern fringes of the Cairngorms It was on the market for £1.2 million although Tom said they got it for a significant discount because the owner wanted a quick sale. Their flat in London is still in search of a buyer “The market for one-bedroom flats with no outside space collapsed,” said Tom Their first winter was a harsh lesson of what life north of the border can feel like it was -16 degrees Celsius and there was no central heating,” said Tom They spent those long cold early months planning how to renovate the hotel and they were able to reopen as a fine dining restaurant with five guest rooms in October 2021 and Evelyn now live in a cottage on the site and the couple run the business between them Launching the business was a “terrifying” time of too many bills and not enough customers we were not sure whether it was going to work,” said Tom as they have settled in and their reputation has grown “Because I came from the countryside I actually found London quite stressful Tom thinks they simply aged out of enjoying urban life and that Scotland is a better fit for thirtysomething parents and Evelyn runs around like Mowgli,” he said “I don’t think we have lost anything apart from access to really good Chinese food.” London leavers: 'We moved from East Dulwich to Cambridge for the sake of our health' London leavers: 'Moving our family to Leigh-on-Sea has changed my outlook and mental health completely' London leaver: 'I got fed up of Hackney so I moved to a Elizabethan cottage in Somerset' Dulwich has often enjoyed a reputation as a leafy rich suburb bordering working-class turned hipster paradise Peckham the smart south-London residential fringe is one of the areas in the capital where rents are falling the fastest fell by 9.9 per cent compared to last year while in East Dulwich they were down by 7.5 per cent also made the list with year-on-year rents dropping by 7.9 per cent The other postcodes with the biggest drops included some of the most affluent parts of London including elegant Belgravia and ever-fashionable Chelsea The two steepest declines were in Lower Edmonton Pimlico and Victoria) which saw a 12.7 per cent decrease the cost of renting a room stood at £957 a month in the final quarter of 2024 – a meagre 1% decrease compared to the year before East Dulwich was declared by lifestyle publisher Muddy Stilettos as one of the UK’s best places to live thanks to its trendy food and culture scene The Sunday Times have released their annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide a list of seventy-two locations around the UK Two locations in south east London have made it onto the list: East Dulwich (SE22) and Telegraph Hill (SE14) Saffron Walden in Essex has been crowned the best place to live in the UK and Walthamstow as the best in London the locations are not ranked but published in alphabetical order We spoke to the chief judges behind the list a property journalist who has been involved in the judgement process since 2016 He said that “south east London is where the interesting stuff is happening now…it’s absolutely the best of the London experience which you can’t get in the ‘traditionally posh’ areas.” The Sunday Times judges are looking for somewhere exciting with things to do but also places where families can be happy East Dulwich – why it beat its more affluent neighbour East Dulwich was praised by the judges for its deeply-rooted community spirit which is one of the key factors in the judging process How much people actually like living there makes up a big part of the score on ‘community’ The judges visit all locations and speak to the residents before naming it on the list When asked about East Dulwich’s appearance on the list rather than Dulwich village Tim said that it’s “a little bit less grand and the very poshest areas don’t always have the best community spirit.” Tim said that alongside its cheaper rent and house prices when compared to Dulwich Village it boasts numerous independent cafes and 76 acres of Dulwich Park It is also located in close proximity to Peckham “when a dose of urban energy is required” Telegraph Hill makes the list – for being ever so tranquil was also named on the list and is described as an ‘urban hamlet’ a community centre and the two beautiful parks offering panoramic views on London The Sunday Times say that it there’s “blissfully not a lot else” to do in Telegraph Hill and is described as a “tranquil part of London” We questioned Tim about the transport links to Telegraph Hill and Dulwich he said that sometimes “a tube station might be a disadvantage Ibn that people are living there not because they want to live there but because they want to be somewhere else” Tim says that the main aim of this The Sunday Times list is to “celebrate places highlight how good they are and give credit to the people who make the place” He says that the judging panel aims to “make sure the list has something for everyone on it” he also emphasises that it is a judgement call and is not a definitive list The Sunday Times love feedback and welcome debate and discussion as an inevitable result of this list You can see the other locations named in the list and find out more here It is not true that Telegraph Hill does not have tube stations It is placed within walking distance of Brockley station and New Cross Gate station There is also the busy New Cross Bus Station that used to be the tram station The transport on Telegraph Hill is one of the strong points for the area as well as a strong community spirit a spring festival and many family activities near the parks Trains in south London will be disrupted from Saturday 26 October to Friday 1 November due to a major track upgrade No London Overground services will run to or from Denmark Hill station during the works Thameslink and Southeastern services to and from Denmark Hill are not affected by these works and will be working as normal there will be no London Overground services between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction via Peckham Rye and there will be no Southern services to or from Peckham Rye There will also be no Thameslink trains between Herne Hill and Sutton/Wimbledon from 26 October to 1 November trains from Loughborough Junction station that normally run to Sutton/Wimbledon will terminate at Herne Hill The works will also impact trains at East Dulwich We would urge all patients and visitors to our hospitals to plan your journey in advance and to use alternative methods of transport It is also important to stress that car parking for patients and visitors is extremely limited at our hospitals Train times can be checked on the National Rail website and alternative routes can be found on the Transport for London website A full breakdown on the disruption can be found on Southern Railway’s website and Thameslink’s website.