News

15 August 2026

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

The mural installation in Eastlake Road Thank you for taking the time to write to...

retrofitting a loft
1 August 2026

Retrofitting can cut energy costs

Hanna Tweg of the community energy group SELCE reports on a Society session exploring how...

Diksha Prasanna. Portrait by Jane Moxham
24 July 2026

Meet the poet

About Diksha Diksha Prasanna was born in Bangalore, India. She moved to the UK for...

burgess park
1 July 2026

What's on in July

Welcome to your new Camberwell Calendar. As the Camberwell Society supports the Camberwell Life app, which...

chapel plans in camberwell
25 June 2026

Ceiling collapse halts chapel revival

A bolt out of the blue has threatened restoration of a cherished chapel, but there...

16 June 2026

Open Gardens spectacular

The sun shone as did the community spirit last Sunday when the Camberwell Society’s premiere...

Havill Street Hall programme cover
12 June 2026

The man who made Camberwell sparkle

Jane Common spends a day at Southwark Archives researching the work of Bob Fox, a...

Jonathan Shaw and Janet Taiwo
10 June 2026

Blind fate, bold vision: the story behind Vanguard’s creative hub

Vanguard Court Studios is at the heart of Camberwell’s creative life. Robert Wainwright reveals the...

DJ Maxy at Camberwell carnival
5 June 2026

All the fun of the fair – for 700 years

Our seven centuries of festival history is rich – and sometimes wild, finds Jane Common...

Marie Staunton
1 June 2026

Welcome to our new website

For more than fifty years, the Camberwell Society has been part of the conversation about...

Camberwell Open Gardens
1 June 2026

What's on in June

Times and dates change. Please check before starting out ART AND CRAFT · Art in...

local camberwell garden blossoms at Chelsea
23 May 2026

Local gardener blossoms at Chelsea

Camberwell gardener Charlie Chase’s YoungMinds Garden won a prestigious silver-gilt medal at the Chelsea Flower...

23 May 2026

Trees & Green Spaces: Your Free Summer Programme in Camberwell

Sophy Tayler, of Camberwell Trees & Green Spaces, outlines the summer programme Thanks to a...

The Kerfield Arms camberwell
22 May 2026

New star rises in SE5 dining galaxy

Poppy Pearce meets the head chef behind Camberwell’s first Michelin star, and rounds up the...

Parent action group in Camberwell
21 May 2026

Parent action

Demand for under-threes sessions is soaring as funding is uncertain – and one local mum...

Bethwin playground in Camberwell
21 May 2026

Beloved playground faces funding fears

A popular children’s play space marks a milestone anniversary while looking at an uncertain future,...

camberwell at dusk
30 March 2026

Care home plan to face third review

Council officers are sending the Love Walk care home development plans back to a planning...

28 February 2026

Twenty-one urban strolls in Camberwell

“Twenty-One Urban Strolls in Camberwell” is an essential item for every home in Camberwell. Produced...

Camberwell banners
7 January 2026

What's on in January

THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR Times and dates change. Please check before starting out ·Art in the...

8 December 2025

Xmas party - Wednesday 10th December

We hope that you all have Wednesday 10th December firmly in you diaries to join...

5 December 2025

What's on in December

THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR Times and dates change. Please check before starting out ·Art in the...

evergreen sculpture
1 December 2025

Saved sculptures find their station

The Society has helped save two important sculptures from the scrapyard. Tony Coleman reports on...

clock workings
1 December 2025

Clocking history

Tony Coleman reports on St Giles’ tribute to Edward Dent, master clockmaker In the same...

1 December 2025

Digital hopes to brighten business

A well-attended meeting of Camberwell business owners revealed some exciting innovations and challenges ahead, writes...

Mary's Cafe Camberwell
1 December 2025

Winter arrives with a crispy crunch

As leaves flutter from the trees and chill settles in the air, our food writer...

Justine Webb, President
1 December 2025

Nothing fancy but let’s smarten up

The Camberwell Society’s new president, Grove Lane resident and BBC presenter Justin Webb, reminisces about his...

19 November 2025

St Giles Church Clock - Celebration of its Restoration

You may have noticed a new sound in the neighbourhood – St Giles church clock...

south london gallery
3 October 2025

What's on in October

THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR Times and dates change. Please check before starting out Art in the...

Sokhari Douglas Camp
2 October 2025

All Our Histories Exhibition

October sees the launch of a new Camberwell Society publication, All Our Histories.

Justin Webb
24 September 2025

Justin Webb Appointed President

The Camberwell Society is delighted to announce the appointment of Justin Webb as its new...

2 September 2025

What's on in September

FROM THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR Times and dates change. Please check before starting out ·Art in...

african drumming - longfield hall
3 August 2025

What's on in August

THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR Times and dates change. Please check before starting out ·Art in the...

Radha Burgess
20 July 2025

Radha Burgess

The Camberwell Society Executive Committe extends a warm welcome to Radha Burgess who has joined...

Reasons to be happy
1 July 2025

Let’s celebrate with our green team

For most people, the letters AGM rarely bring about a raised heart rate, but how...

ruskin park
30 June 2025

What's on in July

THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR Times and dates change. Please check before starting out ·Art in the...

burgess park
1 June 2025

What's on in June

FROM THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR Times and dates change. Please check before starting out ·Art in...

28 May 2025

Camberwell Society Open Gardens Day 2025 - Sunday 1st June

We are very much looking forward to the Camberwell Society Open Gardens Day 2025 this...

dogs of camberwell
11 May 2025

What's on in May

FROM THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR Times and dates change. Please check before starting out • Art...

clock workings
10 May 2025

How Should Camberwell Sound?

The clock on St Giles church has not worked in living memory. The bells have...

9 April 2025

Consultation on New Crossing on Grove Lane

Southwark are proposing to install a new raised table and pedestrian crossing at the junction...

7 April 2025

What's on in April

THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR Times and dates change. Please check before starting out • Art in...

11 March 2025

Nicholas Roskill 1931 - 2025 RIP

Husband, father, grandfather, godfather, co-founder of the Camberwell Society and much, much more; he is...

6 March 2025

Have Your Say - Oxford St Pedestrianisation

TfL have launched a public engagement exercise on the transformation of Oxford Street. You can...

african drumming in camberwell
2 March 2025

What's on in March

THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS Market The first Saturday of the month is local food Saturday...

Camberwell mural
1 February 2025

February after dark 

Camberwell shrugs off the winter blues this month. Longfield Hall gives you plenty of reasons...

Camberwell in winter
31 January 2025

What's on in February

THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR Times and dates change, so please check before starting out EXERCISE Pilates...

5 January 2025

What's on in January

THE CAMBERWELL NEWSLETTER ART South London Gallery: Nairy Baghramian: Jumbled Alphabet to 12 January. Curator...

4 December 2024

What's on in December

THE CAMBERWELL CALENDAR Welcome to our monthly celebration of everything Camberwell. To jump straight to...

29 November 2024

Freelance opportunities

The society has freelance opportunities for its lottery funded project All Our Histories: Camberwell, Black...

10 November 2024

What's on in November

ART AND CRAFT Camberwell Arts Outdoor Winter Market on Camberwell Green 25 November Indoor Winter...

3 October 2024

What's on in October

ART AND CRAFT South London Gallery Nairy Baghramian: Jumbled Alphabet 27 Sept-12 Jan Sim-Smith Gallery...

6 September 2024

What's On in September

FROM THE CAMBERWELL NEWSLETTER ART AND CRAFT South London Gallery Firelei Baez to 8 September...

27 May 2024

Open Gardens Sunday 16th June

It’s summer (!?) and Open Gardens is here again. This year there are some new...

29 January 2024

Camberwell Black History Walk

Inspiring Lives in CamberwellDownload the free walking guide. Created by historian Stephen Bourne, a born and bred...

10 love walk redevelopment
23 January 2024

OPINION - Mission Care development

Richard Donnell, Chair of the Grove Lane Residents Association on planning irregularities emerging from the...

4 January 2024

How to turn passion into a career

Around 1,000 new students begin their studies at the Camberwell branch of University of the...

15 December 2023

Meet two adorable Camberwellians

Paola Totaro got to know them while walking her dog Camberwell’s parks and gardens are...

13 December 2023

Let your hair down at Christmas theatre

  Christmas is fast approaching and local theatres are preparing for the season of goodwill...

12 December 2023

Penelope Crabb is innocent

Shekhar Das, one of the judges for the Mary Boast Prize, gives his dissenting opinion...

Old Camberwell map
8 December 2023

Camberwell and the History of Enslavement

Marion Wallace wins the 2023 Mary Boast Prize for her research into our connections to slavery.

4 August 2023

Land for the people

  Dr Miatta Fahnbulleh, chair of the Southwark Land Commission   Southwark Land Commission puts...

south london gallery
2 August 2023

Fire Station “always ready” for new curators

    In September 2023 it will be five years since the South London Gallery’s...

31 July 2023

Developer gets go ahead to turn Butterfly Walk into Camberwell Lanes

    Now that planning permission has been confirmed by the GLA and Southwark Peter...

30 July 2023

Redeveloping Love Walk care home

  Richard Donnell, Chair of Grove Lane Area Residents Association urges locals to give their...

29 July 2023

Doing the Lambeth walks

  Want to immerse yourself in local history? Alison Rae suggests becoming a Lambeth tour...

27 July 2023

Covert Camberwell

  A discreet entrance in a quiet residential street in Camberwell leads to a world...

24 July 2023

Investigating the origin of the Grosvenor Estate

  Chris McGachy is finding out who built and who lived where he does It...

21 July 2023

Prime Minister of New Zealand

FROM THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY John Hurst reveals the story of a Camberwell poet and adventurer...

18 July 2023

How to do local history

FROM THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Rosemary Hill provides a beginner’s guide History happens everywhere. National events...

15 July 2023

A pleasant amble round Camberwell’s hill

Richard Barton guides us through three parks and a stunning view of London (Sketches by Jame Moxham)

11 July 2023

A park and its people

FROM THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY In the fourth instalment of its series on Camberwell geographically, Robert...

8 July 2023

May the Force be with you

Stephen Bourne urges us to fight to save our Safer Neighbourhood Teams When Baroness Casey’s...

5 July 2023

Working together is well worth the effort

FROM THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Dave Walker of Camberwell’s Southwark Mediation Centre and Corinne Rechais of...

28 June 2023

Car boot fashionistas

FROM THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY There is a whirlwind of fashion at the Peckham car boot...

26 June 2023

Arts are at the heart of Camberwell

    Jade van Zuydam discusses this year’s festival, Marie Staunton interviews director Peter Benedict...

25 June 2023

CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY

SUMMER EDITION OUT NOW

2 June 2023

Shrouded in advertising

  Elizabeth Borowiecka investigates the massive advertisements which have recently covered prominent buildings An application...

29 May 2023

LETTERS

FROM THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Pavements are for pedestrians Martin Huckerby calls for obstacle free streets...

26 May 2023

The Cracks That Let the Light In

The Cracks that Let the Light In Jessica Moxham pub Hachette £9.99 FROM THE CAMBERWELL...

24 May 2023

The serial bigamist of Crofton Road

FROM THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Mark Warby reveals that the real offender behind the famous libel...

20 May 2023

On the scent of a discovery

On the Scent Paola Totaro, Robert Wainwright Elliot & Thompson paperback £10.99 FROM THE CAMBERWELL...

16 May 2023

Enjoy a stretch of elegance on the road to Vauxhall

FROM THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Rosemary Hill traces the history of Clarendon Terrace Camberwell New Road...

dogs of camberwell
12 May 2023

A churchyard canine kerfuffle

FROM THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Dogs are very much a part of the culture of Camberwell...

harriet harman
8 May 2023

The two of us

FROM THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY OUR MP HANDS OVER TO RISING STAR Marie Staunton talks to...

4 May 2023

Stroll along to the old hospital and the Victorian baths

      Richard Barton picks out objects and buildings of interest east of the...

4 May 2023

The Camberwell Society Awards

The Camberwell Society awards have been created to highlight annually the excellent work being done...

ulez expansion
1 May 2023

ULEZ expands all over us

Tony Coleman rounds up news on transport that affects Camberwell The Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will...

30 April 2023

Felix was here

FROM THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Shekhar Das delves into Mendelssohn’s sojourn in Denmark Hill where he...

14 April 2023

Many shades of green

Robert Wainwright hears the stories of some of the people who live near the Green,...

12 April 2023

Vinyl is the real deal

    Cornelia Falknas visits local record shop Dash The Henge “After having had a...

8 April 2023

How safe is our Camberwell?

PC Kate and PC Phillip who are part of the Camberwell Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team,...

4 April 2023

Art is budding in Camberwell

    Tony Coleman rounds up the arts news In 2014, the sculpture installation All...

3 March 2023

Society events

The Annual General Meeting of the Camberwell Society will be held at 7.00pm on 17...

7 December 2022

Xmas Party

We hope that you all have Thursday, 8 December firmly in you diaries to join...

1 December 2022

The Beautification of Camberwell Station Road

    Community consultation   The Camberwell Station Road improvements and station beautification is set...

30 November 2022

Longfield Hall reclaims its heritage

AS PUBLISHED IN THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Alison Rae recounts the history of this community asset...

31 October 2022

Flats and studios replace magistrates court

    Elizabeth Borowiecka looks at the plans to develop the magistrates court Proposals to...

19 October 2022

A thoroughly modern partnership

THE TWO OF US Illustration by Jane Moxham Published in the Camberwell Quarterly Mark Hampshire...

14 October 2022

People of the park

Published in the Camberwell Quarterly Myatt’s Fields, once all but derelict, is now the focus...

number 12 bus in camberwell
9 October 2022

Final stop for Number 12 and 45?

TfL is losing money and wants to trim Camberwell’s buses. Again. Tony Coleman reports

8 September 2022

RIP Queen Elizabeth II

2 August 2022

Is it goodbye to the Number 12?

TfL are once again trying to trim back our bus services. This time they want to cut the #12 and the #45.

15 June 2022

Get Down and Feel Good

The SE5 Forum Feel GoodFestival is on the Green each Saturday from 25th June to...

Ruskin Tree Walk film
21 May 2022

Ruskin Tree Walk film

In this movie short version of the Ruskin Tree Walk, launched by the Camberwell Society...

4 May 2022

​Time’s Witness

INSIDE THE LATEST CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Angela Penrose reviews Times witness: History in the Age of...

27 April 2022

​Legal eagles on our eastern border

INSIDE THE LATEST CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY John Hurst recalls the men who gave their names to...

20 April 2022

​A talent for dealing with disruption

INSIDE THE LATEST CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Marie Staunton talks to Trudy Habgood, Denmark Hill Station’s manager...

14 April 2022

Democracy is Upon Us - The Local Elections - Hustings

SE5 Forum for Camberwell are holding a hustings for citizens to exercise their democratic rights...

14 April 2022

Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal - Disasters Emergency Committee

The horrors that Ukraine is having to bear unfold on our screens continually. Help those...

13 April 2022

Age, nature, kindness, and fun too

IN THE LATEST CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Ros Tabor reviews A Robin Called Ruben by Mark and...

6 April 2022

​How SE5 swung – or was pushed – into the Swinging Sixties

INSIDE THE LATEST CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Jim Tanner recalls the effects of social change arriving in...

30 March 2022

Big Yes to landmark art piece on the Green

INSIDE THE LATEST CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Tony Coleman reports on positive public consultation among residents On...

23 March 2022

Camberwell’s dark mistress of sin

    Her name suggested an innocence and beauty but Matilda “Tilly” Twiss was no...

16 March 2022

Former mayor Bill Skelly

INSIDE THE LATEST CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Ian Wingfield remembers the Geordie painter who mingled with filmstars,...

9 March 2022

A perambulation around the parish of Camberwell

INSIDE THE LATEST CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Provoked by the proposals of the Boundary Commission, Shekhar Das...

6 March 2022

Ruskin Tree Walk

We are taking a tree walk with John Ruskin, the Victorian artist, art critic, social...

2 March 2022

New Bigger Market Starts Saturday 5th March

The new enlarged Saturday market kicks off on Saturday so do get down and browse...

2 March 2022

Public art in Burgess Park walk

INSIDE THE LATEST CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Discover the fascinating variety of public art in Burgess Park...

23 February 2022

Planning: three significant developments

INSIDE THE LATEST CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY The Society looks at all planning applications within the SE5...

16 February 2022

Fun, fun, funicular

    A new wonder on our station plinth driven by water and Tony Coleman...

14 February 2022

Ruskin Tree Walk

A special event is being held on March 6th. Discover John Ruskin, the Victorian influencer...

9 February 2022

​Enjoy the spring in Camberwell

INSIDE THE LATEST CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Chairman Nick Mair’s report Enjoy the spring in Camberwell It...

2 February 2022

Barber's shop octet

INSIDE THE LATEST CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY Why are there so many barber’s shops in Camberwell? Robert...

St Giles Churchyard Tree Trail
1 August 2021

St Giles Churchyard Tree Trail

This trail through St Giles Churchyard, a beautiful green space in the heart of the...

20 June 2021

Open gardens has arrived

Celebrations – it has arrived https://www.camberwellsociety.org.uk/open-gardens/Find out what’s inside

15 June 2021

Memorial Service for Colin Lowman - postponed

The memorial service for Colin Lowman on Thusday 24th June has been postponed.

18 May 2021

Have Your Say on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs)

You may or may not be in favour of them. LTNs may have made your...

lucas gardens - camberwell
24 April 2021

Lucas Gardens Tree Trail

This 30-45 minute trail through Lucas Gardens – our second tree walk in the series – visits around 30 remarkable trees in the park.

15 November 2020

Three New Significant Planning Applications in Camberwell

These applications will change the skyline. The Planning Sub-committee of the Camberwell Society will be...

15 November 2020

Music Returns to St Giles

Jordana writes: these are our first (rescheduled) Covid-Secure music events in December. (Fingers crossed they...

5 August 2020

Loss of Green Space

Southwark Council have approved the development of flats on Dulwich Hamlets Football Ground which involves...

21 July 2020

Camberwell Secret Garden Needs Your Seedlings

Behind KFC on Kimpton Rd is a secret garden and they are looking for help...

19 July 2020

Myatt's Fields Tree Appreciation

Sunday 26th at 5-6pm, meet at the Depot

16 June 2020

Black Lives Matter

For inspiring stories of people who have achieved more than most of us see the...

15 June 2020

Camberwell Arts Festival A-Z

13 – 21 June, 9 days, hmm same number as letters in Camberwell. Is that...

10 June 2020

Its Here - Virtual Open Gardens

Celebrations – it has arrived https://www.camberwellsociety.org.uk/open-gardens/Find out what’s inside

9 June 2020

Hover Here on Sunday and You will Find Out Where it is

The link will appear

7 June 2020

Goes Live Sunday 14th June Open Gardens Day - It's as Summer as Wimbledon!

But this year Open Gardens Day is happening, but it is virtual. Join us on...

15 May 2020

Please Endorse our Theme for the Art Piece

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/29LGYMJ Or your can use the code on the boards up at the station. We...

7 May 2020

Cruson Is Open Again

Hello again to an old friend but in new clothes

24 April 2020

Rubbish What Rubbish

Two bits of good news!! The rubbish is all but gone from behind the railings...

20 April 2020

Jo Brand Appeals for Donations to Support SLaM

Jo Brand worked as a mental health nurse at the Maudsley for 10 years and...

12 April 2020

Camberwell Church Tree Walk

We have put together the first of a series of self guided tree walks around Camberwell.

3 April 2020

Let's Remember Too the Transport Workers and All Who Are Out There Keeping Things Going

Rightfully we all applauded the NHS and care workers last night. But let us remember too all those workers who are out there keeping things going.

Camberwell sign
22 March 2020

It's Done

Painting of the panels outside the Phoenix so generously supported by members of the Society...

Reasons to be happy
16 March 2020

Reasons to be Happy - Springtime!!

The Friends of Greendale are holding a work day next Saturday afternoon (21st) 2pm-4pm for...

26 February 2020

A new 29 storey building proposed

On the border of Camberwell SE5, just in SE24, an application has been made to...

23 February 2020

Butterfly Walk Planning Application - You Can Still Comment

Update 23 February: The final date for comments submitted on the website is stated as...

21 February 2020

Update: The Litter at the Station will soon be Gone!!!

We said NetworkRail have informed us that they have responded to our badgering and instructed...

16 February 2020

Champion Hill One Way - Proposed to be Permanent

See the Transport page for details on the Champion Hill trial results and consultation on...

Camberwell banners
18 January 2020

The Banners Are Up!!

Well, most of them. Great news, the crowdfunding last year has delivered, and many of...

4 January 2020

It's the Bins!! Consultation on Timed Collection for the Main Roads

Southwark has launched a consultation on their proposal to introduce timed collection for waste on...

Camberwell sign
31 December 2019

It's Official!! - Camberwell is The Coolest - But We Knew Already!

How SE5 became London’s coolest postcode A glowing article on Camberwell in the DT –...

31 December 2019

Searching for Jean Ray of JEAN'S CAFE, Grove Lane 1951-1961

Ocki from Blue Shop Cottage has asked: Next year I’m going to be turning Blue...

25 November 2019

Shop Local - Made in Camberwell Saturday 30th November

Once again it is your chance to support local crafts and businesses. The Made in...

22 November 2019

Christmas Party

The Camberwell Society Christmas Party is on Monday 2nd December upstairs at the Crooked Well....

29 October 2019

Diary Date: Open Meeting Thursday 7th November

The annual open meeting of the Camberwell Society Executive Committee will be held upstairs at...

27 October 2019

Station Partnership

The Camberwell Society has commenced a “station partnership” with Govia Thameslink for Denmark Hill station....

15 October 2019

Music at St Giles Presents: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

For one night only,,, a classic cult screening: By kind permission of the Vicar, a...

6 October 2019

Donations for Margaret Powley-Baker Late Lamented Editor of the Camberwell Quarterly

Ahead of this week’s funeral for Margaret, see below for details for any donations: In...

27 September 2019

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY - Thursday 10th October Free Event at ORTUS

Thursday 10th October is World Mental Health Day. The Maudsley Charity is holding a drop...

13 September 2019

Find Out About the Buildings of Grove Lane and Camberwell Grove - From the Inside!! Sunday 13th October

The Autumn History Walk this year is a fascinating insight into the buildings of Georgian...

11 September 2019

Sad News About Margaret

It is with great sorrow that we have to report that our dear friend and...

9 September 2019

Diary Dates for November and December

The autumn open meeting is planned for the evening of Thursday November 7th, time and...

30 August 2019

Partytime and the Weather is Fine!!

The Camberwell Fair is here. Saturday 31st on the green. 12 to 9pm See the...

20 August 2019

Update - Dulwich Hamlets Football Ground - Extension for Comments!!

The deadline for comments on the attempted building on green space at Dulwich Hamlets has...

12 August 2019

Jay Rayner Loves Nandine

The lovely people at Nandine’s café in Vestry Road have done what we all hoped...

5 August 2019

Camberwell Lanes Development

Click here to download the boards presented by MJW at the consultation in Butterfly Walk...

3 August 2019

It's Official!!

Spotted today at our local station

2 August 2019

Get Ready to Party!!

It’s here again – the Camberwell Fair – Saturday 31st August 12pm to 9pm Camberwell...

1 August 2019

We Did It!!!

Thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen, but let’s not stop there,...