On a Winter’s Day: Horniman to Dulwich Park
It is lovely to see the sun on such a winter’s day. And when you do, it’s time to bundle up and head outdoors for a winter walk from Horniman Museum to Dulwich Park.
On such a winter’s day in London, it is rare to see the sun. In the dead of winter, I’m California Dreamin.’ Sure, the sun will peek out here or there, but it’s not like California where the sun shines days on end. But when the sun comes out in London, everyone’s mood is lifted. People bundle up and head outdoors to enjoy one of Britain’s favourite pastimes: walking.
Farmer’s Market at Horniman Museum
On such a winter’s day, but a gloriously sunny albeit cold Sunday, we were determined to spend the entire day outdoors. A short hop on the bus, we made it to the Farmer’s Market at the Horniman Museum & Garden. Open every Sunday from 10am to 3pm, the Farmer’s Market takes place in front of the Victorian bandstand. With iconic views of the Shard and Canary Wharf, it’s a perfect spot to enjoy goodies from one of the stallholders. Small but perfectly formed, you can find all your daily essentials from veggies, fruit, and bread. Amongst the mix are also a few jewellery and soap stalls.
Horniman Museum and Gardens is very family-friendly. With the sun shining on such a winter’s day, it’s no surprise families with young children were out in full force. With acres of open space and outdoor musical instruments, kids can run freely around to their heart’s content. Meandering around, the fauna and flora in the Sunken Garden were dormant, resting for next season’s bloom. A visit to see the resident alpacas, sheeps and goats at the Animal Walk is always fun, as is a short jaunt inside the wonderful Horniman Museum.
Horniman Museum to Dulwich Park
Another ten minute walk along the A205 takes you to beautiful Dulwich Park. But first we stopped at the Dulwich Beer Dispensary on Lordship Lane for a quick pint. Housed in a former pharmacy, this sister location of the London Beer Dispensary (Crofton Park) serves up pizzas as well as a traditional Sunday roast. As the outpost of the Southey Brewing Company, the pub has a rotating beer menu on tap. If you’re looking for a place between Forest Hill and Dulwich Park, it’s a nice shabby chic place to stop for a quick bite.
We always enjoy exploring the genteel and well-heeled enclave of Dulwich. Normally, we would walk the entire perimeter of Dulwich Park along the wide paved pathways. There is so much to enjoy here at Dulwich Park: woodlands, manicured gardens, duck pond, tennis courts, and bowling green. But Lady Yeya was eager to visit the playground which is one of my favourite (and Lady Yeya’s too!) playgrounds in southeast London after Greenwich Park and Beckenham Place Park. The playground is well designed for kids of all ages with a large climbing frame, wooden bridge, two roundabouts, and several slides of different height and lengths. Plus there is the Dulwich Clock Cafe which serves pizzas, coffee and ice cream. Who doesn’t love ice cream? It is a perfect way to end a lovely day with my little brood.
Whilst I may be California Dreamin, but for now I’ll enjoy the gentle warmth of the sun and lovely walk on such a winter’s day.
