Getting up to speed

The Loughborough Junction blog has been a tad inactive for a while. But it’s back … and will try and answer questions, provide room for issues to be debated and chat about the latest happenings in our area.

So please feel free to advertise your businesses innovations and creative ventures and also raise issues about the neighbourhood and we’ll try to get some answers – or at least provide details about how to get in touch with the relevant people.

There are new developments to keep an eye on, a slow but steady increase of interest in the area and great coffee and some good food to be had at the Beanery cafe.

As we’re not as up to speed as some of you about the area we will be making a point of visiting shops, checking out eateries and speaking to locals about the area.

If anyone has specific projects, shops or recommendations to make, please feel free!

For instance I already know I love Zest of India’s great cooking but am certainly willing to try more of their dishes in the interests of a review.

And oh yes, while Loughborough Junction is fairly clearly defined, we’ll still welcome posts about happenings in Brixton or Camberwell if they’re relevant. And link to all the sites we can think of…

Onwards and upwards

Uniquely Located

Loughborough Junction’s central location makes it a superb point to go pretty much anywhere in London, the train station offers trains to central London, 2 stops to the South Bank, St Pauls, Farringdon and beyond to St Albans. The other way offers direct trains to Streatham, East Croydon and Wimbledon. Within ten minutes walk you can be in Brixton, Camberwell or Herne Hill.

If you want to travel by bike you can be in the city within 20 minutes or if you are feeling energetic Crystal Palace is worth a trip for some super views across London. Within 30 minutes you can be cycling around Regents Park.

Here are some of my favorite destinations.

1) The South Bank. Two train stops to Blackfriars puts you within an easy walk of the Tate Modern, the Globe Theatre, St Pauls and the Museum of London and of course the South Bank itself. By the way I can highly recommend the Haddock & chips at the Tate Modern cafe. (amongst the best!)

2) On Friday or Saturday morning the 35 bus to London Bridge gets you to Borough Market for a gastronomic feast for the eyes and senses. It’s also worth a visit to Southwark Cathedral which dates back to the Domesday Book, and is now the resting place of the American Indian Mahomet Weyonomon who died of smallpox in 1735 whilst petitioning King George II and seek justice for his tribe in America.

3) Dulwich Woods – located just behind the golf course in Dulwich – google maps is the largest single part of the ancient Great North Wood still extant. If you want to get some peace and quite, fresh air and absolutely no idea that you are in London, then pay these woods a visit. I haven’t been for ages however it is always a great place to explore. It will be beautiful now before it gets too muddy.

Where do you like to go? Please add a comment to let us know.

A quick tour of Loughborough Junction Sunday 24 August 08

It was such a nice day on Sunday that I thought a few shots of the area would be good to see, in particular where work has been in progress. It turns out that there has been lots of progress and there is still a significant amount of work in progress, so better still to come.

The most exciting to date is the work at the Cambria on Kemerton Street is now complete, and it looks fantastic! I have only seen it from outside, however they seem to have captured a mood in the pub, the lighting is subtle and tables are well spaced, I even saw people eating! Lets hope that this time the pub does well. I shall have to go for a pint and report further.

The second most exciting news is the park at Myatts fields, which is now turning the corner from building site to new park. The children’s playground is fantastic and as yet not too busy. It’s bright, fun and different. It’s a really exciting playground, with a good balance for kids of all ages. My only negative comment is the number of bikes that children are using (I counted 5) there are no signs as yet banning them.

The Mucky duck on Coldharbour lane is work in progress and hasn’t really transformed yet, nothing has happened with the green man or the warrior and the anchor has had a pink paint job on the wooden fence but no work seen. The pavement outside the train station is still as lethal as ever. What do you think is going to happen to the old vegetable shop near the bridge, I think it would make a fantastic flower shop!