Discover Lewisham
Discover Lewisham this Christmas
There is plenty happening in Lewisham all year-round, but winter adds an extra layer of magic as the borough comes alive with bustling food and craft markets, twinkly lights and entertainment to keep you warm in the lead-up to Christmas.
Stay local, spend local
Did you know, in London, VISA/CBRE have also calculated that for every £10 spent locally, £3.80 remains in the local economy? This could double if people actively choose to spend more locally.
So we're encouraging people to stay local and spend local, because if our Lewisham businesses thrive, so does the community. Whether it’s relaxing in our award-winning parks, attending an outdoor festival, or exploring the local cafes and arts scene, there’s plenty to enjoy - and it's only an 11-minute direct train journey from London Bridge station.
Share your experiences
Visit your local shops, explore a part of the borough you might not have ventured to before, make recommendations to friends, comment on social media or share your experiences - it all goes a long way to making sure our local business community are supported, and shining a light on Lewisham as a vibrant, diverse and exciting borough.
Food scene (cafes, restaurants, local markets, food stores)
Lewisham’s fantastic cafes, restaurants, shops and markets have all your foodie needs covered.
Restaurants and cafes
Amrutha a great new vegan restaurant, has a pay what you feel policy, incredible food, one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in my life, has broughtlots of people to Honor Oak which helps local businesses.
Homemade Jamaican soul food. That has foodies lining up around the block for a taste of the delicious delights.
Multi-award-winning gourmet Indian restaurant and takeaway in a contemporary dining room with modern art.
This Sydenham restaurant is inspired by the history of the Gurkhas and prioritizes exceptional service and offers excellent Nepalese and Indian Cuisine.
Situated in a beautifully restored Georgian stable block in Beckenham Place Park. Views from the terrace over the flower gardens and swimming lake.
Offers Square Mile coffee, locally brewed craft beer and awesome stone baked pizzas.
Le Delice is known for amazing Boulangerie and French pastries.
Leo Café is a vegan and vegetarian cafe based in Sydenham, celebrating good food and coffee. A great space for families, creatives, remote workers and community.
Becoming well known for their coffee and vibe the café is attracting visitors and attention from across London.
Saka Maka, top-ranked Indian restaurant in Hither Green, offers a wide selection of innovative dishes, prepared with utmost care & great quality. If you are feeling adventurous, our specialties will surely dazzle your salver.
Pizza with pride using fresh, authentic Italian food and passionate about bringing this taste to Lewisham.
Rich selection of traditional Turkish dishes and handcrafted cocktails, made with love and the finest ingredients, cosy atmosphere, personable service and commitment to authenticity.
Opened in 2008, Trattoria Raffaele is a family-run restaurant offering fresh and authentic Italian food. Exciting seasonal dishes available weekly.
Food retailers
Antonio Delicatessen (Lewisham Town Centre)
Antonio Delicatessen is local Italian shop selling meats, pasta and all other things Italian. From traditional favourites to childhood delights, they offer an array of treats to satisfy every palate.
Handmade, customised cakes, freshly baked in Brockley, offering Celebration Cakes for all occasions.
Delicious fruit-flavoured spirit-based drink from the French West Indies. Handmade locally by slowly infusing fruits, herbs, and spices in white rum. 100% fresh natural ingredients.
Artisan bakery selling to retail and wholesale customers. Product range includes sourdough bread, pastries, pasties, quiches, pies and desserts.
Good Food is a modern grocery store prioritising local, organic and artisan foods. A social enterprise crowd-funded by over 350 local residents and businesses. With stores in Catford and Sydenham.
Premium quality produce from British farms delivered to your door, With customisable boxes for their customer's specific needs.
Award-winning Guyanese hot sauces and condiments.
Exotic fruit, veg and coffee. Dedicated to raising equality for people of the global majority spearheading international projects with local suppliers.
SweetDoughThings, is a confectionery business selling delicious sweets and baked treats. Their mission is to provide customers with an accessible alternative to traditional sweeteners by providing healthier options that taste amazing.
Markets
Beckenham Place Farmer’s Market
Every Sunday 10am to 3pm at the beautiful Beckenham Place Park, come rain or shine.
Shop in the fresh air and visit award-winning weekly farmers and food market, home to over 30 stalls. From organic fruits and vegetables to rare breed, free-range, and wild meats and even have cut flowers.
Bustling Saturday market for local fresh produce, artisan breads and pastries, plants and flowers.
Sunday 15 December, 10am-4pm
Don't miss out on the festive goodness at Catford Food Market as they count down to Christmas. Filled with tasty treats and gifts for food lovers from local vendors, there's no better place to find delightful stocking stuffers.
The market takes place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from around 7am until 4pm, in Deptford High Street, Douglas Way and the junction with Giffin Street.
Sunday 15 December, 10am-5pm
Music, markets and magic. Marketmas 2024 is a new, tinsel-wrapped winter festival for Lewisham. Stop by for delicious festive food, a mini makers market, live music and much more to be announced.
Place to Bee Events - Forster Memorial Park Christmas Market
Sunday 15 December, 11am-4pm
Organised by The Place to Bee - Events Co,this vibrant market offers a variety of products, including mulled wine, candles, clothing, and festive carol singing. With a wide range of items available, it's the perfect place to find gifts for the whole family while supporting local entrepreneurs. Admission is free.
Queens and Rudy J Culture Market
Afro-Caribbean centric pop up markets attracting hundreds of visitors to the borough in venues such as Beckenham Place Park Mansion and Lewisham Shopping Centre.
So Last Century Vintage and Retro Fair, has become a regular fixture in London’s vintage calendar, popping up around ten to twelve times a year at several venues across South London.
Creative arts and music
Aaja Digital Community Radio (online)
AAJA Music is a grassroots music space and digital platform DIY broadcasting powerhouse.
Exciting new makers market curated by local LGBTQ+ creatives and hosted regularly at Catford Mews, in addition to collaborating on Catford Pride.
Local theatre with an inclusive programme of plays and film viewings, focused on promoting new writing.
Recently renovated and historic theatre which stands proud in the heart of Catford. Since 1932 it has been a showcase for the best live music, comedy and theatre.
Tuesdays during term time, 3.30pm to 8pm, The Albany, Deptford, SE8 4AG.
IRIE! Dance theatre has a very comprehensive education programme. The company provides African and Caribbean dance and drumming workshops and classes for children as young as 5 through to adults. Accredited by University of Roehampton.
An innovative music education and talent development organisation founded in ‘95. Champion excellence through programmes and nurturing local musical talent specialising in working with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.
Philo has evolved into a space that welcomes artists, dreamers, and families of all ages. With weekly (Tuesdays during term time) workshops.
A new community-owned music venue and radio station with curated line-up of events and workshops.
Studio 101 is offering affordable space available for photo and video shoots, auditions, business meetings, training courses, seminars, workshops, and events bringing new creative entities to the area.
Striving to improve diversity within the art sector to raise artist profiles and to seek new platforms and partnerships in the art industry by organising exhibitions and commissioning artworks.
Nightlife, pubs and bars
Raise a glass to Lewisham’s independent pubs, bars, and nights out. Our borough's brimming with fantastic places to grab a pint, try a wine, or tuck into a feast.
There’s plenty of non-drinking activities at night as well that you can also explore.
A welcoming café, pub and kitchen in the heart of Deptford, serving up Japanese street food, drinks, board gaming and affordable workspace.
Award winning classic corner pub with a choice of real ales and draught ciders. Family friendly beer garden.
Broadway Bingo Christmas Special
Wednesday 18 December, 8-10.30pm
Join That Girl and an extra special guest for live vocals, lip syncs, campery, tomfoolery and prizes all with a Christmas twist. Don’t miss out on a spectacular evening of fun.
Industrial-chic creative cocktail bar, Jamaican restaurant, event and gallery space in ses and workshops.
Serving up craft beers and pub grub in a snug pub with a beer terrace. The kitchen delivers fresh, delicious pub food every day of the week.
Sunday 22 December, 8-10pm
Gather your A-team and get ready for a festive night at The Crown Lee Tavern. Test your knowledge for a chance to win a £50 drinks tab for the top team. Entry is just £2 per person and all proceeds go to the wonderful Wooden Spoon charity.
Real ales and imported lagers are served at this traditional pub.
Providing the best in cocktails, entertainment, live music and nightlife. Somewhere you can go out and enjoy your day or night.
Fox and Firkin & Firkin Brewery
Home for live underground music venue in Ladywell with an extended beer garden and local food vendors and new brewery. Pro LGBTQ+ venue.
A social enterprise at the heart of the Sydenham community. Creating meaningful London Living Wage employment for people with learning disabilities and brewing great beer.
Good place for social drinks in Brockley - beer, wine, cider & spirits from their favourite makers.
London's number one Afro-fusion shisha bar and restaurant. Vibrant space for socialising. Specialities include fine dining & food catering.
Live band karaoke: Christmas special
Friday 20 December, 7pm
Kickstart your festive fun at The Fox and Firkin - this lively event features a five-piece band ready to perform nearly 400 songs across a range of genres. It’s the perfect way to sing your heart out and make unforgettable memories this Christmas.
Cosy pub serving classic plates, BBQ & wine in a wood-panelled space, beer garden and Sunday roasts.
Located in an old post office with vintage furniture and original fittings, offers Craft beers, scrumptious variety of pub classics making Sylvan Post a Forest Hill foodie-hotspot. Events like pub quiz and wine tasting.
Tuesday 12 November to Friday 3 January
Celebrate the season with your own Christmas party at The Duke! Enjoy three delicious festive courses for £34.95, or simply drop by for some holiday drinks and festive cheer.
Third Thursday of every month: 7pm to 10pm, Main Hall, Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin St, Deptford, SE8 4RJ..
Sustainability in Lewisham
Lewisham is bustling with ways to lead more sustainable ways of living.
Zero waste greengrocer. Refill station. Local home deliveries.
Climate Confidence with Anne Barrett Business Support – helping you run your business
Anne studied for an environmental management degree, and now helps local businesses to achieve their net zero goals to protect the environment, create a better world for their children, improve their business reputation and save money.
Cycling workshops and support with Lewisham Cyclists (free)
Lewisham Cyclists is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign in the borough with a series of workshops and events.
Dragonfly Yoga Studios is a community yoga space, incorporating Leo Café and Zer0Waste Eco Corner, each taking an ethical approach to the services they provide.
Join voluntary community group, Friends of Blythe Hill Fields, and learn more about their free annual summer festival, their biodiversity group, tree care days and Nature's Gym days.
Meant to Bee - luxury home fragrances
We only use 100% natural beeswax which has been tested to burn slower making the fragrance last longer due to its organic, biodegradable ingredients. Ethical business.
New recycling scheme making it easier to reduce environmental impact and stop your waste heading into landfill. Repurposed bespoke products created from waste. Refill store with recycling workshops and hub.
Everything is through a sustainability lens: Recyclable and compostable packaging, delivery by bicycle, fair trade and sustainable supply chain, Living wage employer.
Shop for parents and carers. Find great products for children locally with a safe space where kids can stay without a care in the world. Products are curated with the aim to use sustainable products.
Whole food pantry in Ladywell selling cupboard essentials plus a range of grains, pulses, beans, nuts & dried fruits plus a range of wines on tap.
Summer gardening club (free)
Tuesdays and Thursdays until September: 11am to 1pm, The Albany, Deptford, SE8 4AG. RSVP by emailing gardening@thealbany.org.uk.
Shopping
Lewisham’s independent businesses have a huge range of gift ideas. Offering everything from recipe books to clothes, from houseplants, toys, to bottled cocktails – they have your every gifting need covered.
Female-owned Blackheath Creatives is a local artist collaboration that offers a range of jewellery, artwork, prints, homeware & lifestyle design and fine foods.
Handmade award-winning bottled cocktail specialist. Bottled cocktails and infusions are all handmade from start to finish.
Crimson and Clover/Three Sisters
A nostalgic but design-led little shop - cosy, quirky and thoughtfully curated offering a homeware, plants and a good dose of vintage too.
A well-established Pet Shop & Dog Grooming Parlour located within Beckenham Place Park. Selling a range of dog food and accessories.
Your go-to shop for haberdashery in Southeast London selling a range of quality garments, soft furnishings, fabric, trimmings, and much more for dressmakers, professionals and individuals. Wedding dresses and alterations.
A family-owned independent Builders Merchants trading in Lewisham since 1912. Here you can find top quality building products at competitive prices.
Magi Gifts is an independent gift shop and card shop in Brockley. Selling gifts, greetings cards, gift wrap and children's toys for all occasions.
The Migration Museum is based in Lewisham Shopping Centre. It explores how the movement of people to and from the UK across the ages has made us who we are – as individuals and as nations.
Local person Rachel Dawson started first a pop-up shop in Blackheath and then opened her own shop ‘On The Heath’ selling quirky items to customers in Blackheath.
SHAPES Lewisham is a creative network that aims to promote, celebrate and connect the creative community in Lewisham.
Much-loved and long-established pet shop on Lewisham High Street. One of the country’s largest independent pet shop retailers.
Children
Blackbird blends unique style with the truly ethical. From a diverse mix of fairtrade and organic clothing to pretty accessories and wonderful gift ideas.
Bunka is an independent lifestyle store in south London on a mission to bring you the very best in design-led fashion, homewares and gifts for women, men, babies and kids.
Games, books, puzzles, clothes and more – you can find gift ideas galore for younger ones, in our many independent gift shops.
Gently Elephant is based in Brockley, and offers British & Scandinavian inspired homeware, clothing for children, shoes, creative toys, books and gifts.
Jumping Bean (Honor Oak)
Selling cards, clothes, children’s toys, homeware and everything in between, Jumping Bean offers unique lifestyle products that you can’t always find on the high street.
Moon Lane Books (Forest Hill)
Moon Lane Books is a not-for-profit dedicated to addressing inequity in children's books. Their aim is to ensure every child has access to books that enable them to feel seen, reflected, respected and valued.
Children’s café and soft play in Hither Green with a shop that stocks toys and children’s books.
Exotic fruit, veg and coffee. Dedicated to raising equality for people of the global majority spearheading international projects with local suppliers.
Offering a huge selection of household goods for the home and garden, as well as toiletries & cleaning products, Terry's discount store is described as an Aladdin's cave by customers and offers good value products and the resident cats are a bonus for visitors.
Wellbeing and sport
Locally, there are many great spots to get active and practice well-being.
Award winning classes supporting & empowering parents through their early parenting journey offering pregnancy relaxation, baby massage, baby reflexology, social time and baby yoga classes.
9am every Saturday and walk, jog or run 5k.
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate every Saturday at 9am at Mountsfield Park.
A small family-run wellness business in Deptford with some of the best yoga teachers and wellness facilitators in London. Seven days a week you can find a yoga class! As well, they run workshops, charity events and community classes.
Millwall Community Trust
Founded in 1885. From 1910-1993 the club played at The Old Den in New Cross before moving to its current stadium nearby, The Den. The club engages in lots of community work and attracts 10,000+ fans weekly.
Free fun and relaxed weekly football sessions combining coaching and other activities for young people aged 11 to 16. These sessions take place at a number of locations across the borough.
A wide range of classes across two studios in Lee and Catford with highly experienced teachers delivering sessions seven days-a-week.
Visitor attractions
Blackheath Halls is a performance venue offering a diverse range of events throughout the year in the Grade II listed building. It claims to be London's oldest surviving purpose-built cultural venue.
Beckenham Place Park has London's first purpose-built swimming lake. This includes water sports, lessons and facilities provided by PTP coaching. The park is the largest green space in the borough and one of 23 Lewisham green flag parks. Regular farm, culture and vintage markets and music festivals.
Open at weekends only, this is the UK’s Only Global Fusion Breakfast & Brunch Spot. Every weekend there’s a line of people waiting for the delicious culinary treats inside.
Creekside Discovery Centre works to support biodiversity and provide education in Deptford with a nature park and Creekside. Working with local schools, people and companies through river and wildflower walks and talks, sharing our knowledge and know-how. Supports urban wildlife and natural habitats for everyone.
A local family-friendly, free museum and gardens which won Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022.
Manor House Mansion and Gardens
Manor House Library runs a variety of community events and activities as well as champions reading. It is next to a Green Flag Park blessed with a clean river and lake, abundant wildlife, history and home to a successful community school.
The Migration Museum explores how the movement of people to and from Britain across the ages has made us who we are as a community.
Hair and beauty
Skilled stylists, great at colour, helps local schools with work experience.
Geddes is an independent family owned hair and beauty salon.
Friendly salon on Brownhill Road specialising in natural hair and dreadlocks.
Providing expert hair styling services in a modern and stylish setting in the heart of Deptford.
Friendly, professional nail bar with great customer service.
Hairdresser with a friendly and supportive environment as well as providing work placements for school students. True asset to the Brockley community.
An amazing salon offering a complete range of beauty treatments including haircuts, colouring, highlights, manicures, pedicures and tanning.
Rudina Doci - hairdresser Forest Hill
A local hairdresser with a West End touch. Wide range of hair services for all hair types. Ecologically sound products, for all treatments and haircare.
Good quality haircuts from under £10. A cornerstone of the local area.
About Discover Lewisham
In 2022, Discover Lewisham initially began to promote the borough as an events destination, using the London Borough of Culture programme as an anchor to attract local people to stay in the borough and spend locally, and attract visitors to come and experience all that Lewisham has to offer.
Earlier this year we launched our fourth iteration of Discover Lewisham with our summer campaign. For this, we featured local winners of our 2023 Mayor’s Business Awards (all voted by the local community) as faces of the campaign. You can read their stories here: