Introduction to the joys of Camberwell
Camberwell is London’s secret gay neighbourhood. It has a fantastic mix of great bars and restaurants, independent shops, and community parks. With diverse and multicultural residents (who don’t blink twice at two girls holding hands as they walk through Camberwell Green), three theatres within spitting distance (quite aside from the easily accessible South Bank arts scene) and a very efficient public transport system, Camberwell is an ideal place to live, work and play in London.
Camberwell's beginnings
But what of Camberwell's history, we hear you ask? Well the glorious neighbourhood of Camberwell was first recorded in the Domesday book in 1086 when Ca'brewelle and St Giles Saxon church got a mention. At that time it was owned by Haimo, half brother to King William 1. The development had land for ploughing and corn, 63 acres for cows, and woods that fed 60 pigs. Not bad.
Camberwell as leper colony
To Camberwell you might have been banished from the City if you had leprosy or suchlike unpleasant ailments, as our fair neighbourhood was famed as a place to "take the waters." The word Camberwell probably actually means either "Welsh Well" or "Cripple's Well." Having partaken of the waters, said lepers could then pray at St Giles church - St Giles is the patron saint of lepers!
Camberwell as royal destination
Camberwell's other claim to fame is that our very own neighbourhood was the site of a battle between Boudicca and her Iceni and the Romans, and that when Henry V returned victorious to London after the Battle of Agincourt, Camberwell was his chosen destination. So royally favoured was Camberwell that in 1416 teh Emperor of Germany was received here when visiting London.
Camberwell as brief Galapagos-esque wonderland
Camberwell's history is not all lepers and kings... there was beauty to be found in the natural wonderland of Coldharbour Lane, where in 1748 the first examples of the butterfly Nymphalis antiopa, aka The Camberwell Beauty, were spotted.
Camberwell as dubious Hollywood inspiration
Camberwell is also famed for The Camberwell Carrot, an extremely large cannabis cigarette featured in the film Withnail and I. When asked about its name, its creator stated "I invented it in Camberwell and it looks like a carrot." Fair enough.
Camberwell as arty birthplace
ART: Camberwell School of Art has been around for over 100 years and its alumni include film-maker Mike Leigh, and artists Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.
MUSIC: Jarvis Cocker was a Camberwell fan and his Pulp track 59 Lyndhurst Grove is about going to a party in Camberwell. Rather more salubriously, in 1842 composer Felix Mendelssohn stayed for a time with relatives in Camberwell where he was inspired to write "Spring Song"; apparently it was originally entitled "Camberwell Green".
FILM/THEATRE: Actor Boris Karloff was born in Camberwell, and residents have included Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Robbie Coltrane and Michael Caine.
LITERATURE: Victorian poet Robert Browning was born in Camberwell, where he lived until aged 28. More recently, author Stella Duffy lives nearby in Loughborough Junction.
Insatiable and want to know even more about Camberwell's illustrious past? Click here and here for further information.
So now you know! See you in Camberwell!