Monday, April 29, 2013

Attractions in Lewisham

Located around five miles south east of Charing Cross and just ten minutes from central London by train, Lewisham boasts a diverse community and a wide range of attractions. As one of London’s more affordable boroughs, the area’s low prices and central location make it a hotspot for both workers and students in London.
Close to many of the city’s up and coming suburbs, such as Blackheath, New Cross, Deptford and Brockley, the area and its surrounds are famed for public artwork, a large student community and a vibrant atmosphere.
Modern architecture in Lewisham

In fact, Lewisham and its surrounding areas are becoming increasingly popular amongst students who are looking to learn English in London. There are a variety of reasons for this, including close proximity to central London as well as the relatively cheap cost of living. Other notable features of Lewisham include:

Lewisham Shopping Centre
With a large indoor and outdoor shopping centre, Lewisham is often cited as the main retail district for residents living in south-east London. All of the major retail outlets can be found here and Lewisham’s popular fruit and veg market is open daily.

Docklands Light Railway
As one of London’s many transport success stories, Docklands Light Railway carries more than 80 million passengers each year, allowing commuters easy access to South, East and central London. Destinations on the DLR include Bank, London City Airport, Woolwich Arsenal and Stratford International. Since its creation in 1987, the transport system has played a huge part in attracting new residents to Lewisham.
The leafy streets of Blackheath

Restaurants in Lewisham
Lewisham is a borough renowned for offering a varied selection of cuisine from all around the world. Central Lewisham eateries include Levante Restaurant which serves fresh Turkish cuisine and comes highly recommended by locals. Another popular haunt is the aptly named Taste of Lewisham, which serves tasty Sri Lankan cuisine at reasonable prices. All in all, there is an impressive collection of cheap yet delicious restaurants both in and around Lewisham.

Areas within the district of Lewisham:

New Cross
The nearby New Cross (just 4 miles from central London) is proudly home to Goldsmiths College which attracts students from far and wide. The trendy arts college has a diverse community, with around 20% of all students coming from countries outside of the UK.
One example of street art in New Cross
There is also a vibrant social life for students, which means that many of the local bars and attractions offer cheap and competitive prices.

Brockley
Within the London Borough of Lewisham, the nearby district of Brockley is a popular residential area with many attractive parks and open spaces. Like New Cross and many of the districts close to Lewisham, Brockley has a strong reputation for showcasing some of the best artistic talent in South London. Many students visiting Brockley enjoy relaxing in the cafés and bars on the high street. The Brockley Mess is particularly popular and boasts a colourful café, bar and gallery in one venue. Brockley Mess also has an art-inspired garden which is an ideal spot for relaxing during summer.

Deptford
Laban Dance Centre, Deptford

Situated just above New Cross and close to Greenwich, Deptford is a creative collection of music studios, art galleries, dance institutes and other cultural outlets. The location is unsurprisingly favoured amongst students, with bustling markets and cafes lining its streets. 
The Laban Dance Centre in Deptford is a prime attraction for those who appreciate architecture. Designed by Zurich-based architects Herzog and de Meuron, the building is the largest contemporary dance centre in the world and boasts a semi-translucent structure which glows at night.


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