Things to do
Bookshop on the Heath
Second-hand bookshop selling rare and antique books, modern titles, maps, prints and gifts
Blackheath was part of London's first conservation area and, really, it's a jewel in the heart of the borough of Lewisham. While the incessant traffic that whizzes along the A2, which bisects the greensward, taints the otherwise idyllic atmosphere, the area is one of those rare spots in the capital that's retained its villagey authenticity.
This bucolic air is maintained in part because of the lovely old All Saints Church and its surrounding green pastures, but also because of the attractive cafés, independent boutiques, restaurants, bars and historic pubs, which spill out on to the heath when the weather permits. Then there are the area's architectural delights: the Georgian houses of The Paragon, the Arts & Crafts Mary Evans Picture Library, Span homes from the 1960s and the exceptional North Several development (1969). On the Greenwich side of the heath is the Ranger’s House (1723), which is open to the public.
In fact, Greenwich, with its rich history, winding streets and riverside views, is just a thirty-minute-walk, which makes Blackheath the perfect spot to kick off or end a weekend of exploring.
Recommended: London by area
