Dulwich
If Sunday morning comes and you suddenly get the urge to ride a tandem, see some art and have an al fresco brunch where are you going to visit? Dulwich, probably London’s oldest village, offers all these rewards, just a 12 minute train ride from central London. Centred upon its College, Picture Gallery and Park, Dulwich Village is quintessentially English, with a countrified feel and immaculately maintained Georgian houses. You could almost forget you were in London if it weren’t for the fact you might bump into one of the many local celebrities and actors who live here, out enjoying a stroll in the park or reading the weekend papers over a latte. The College was built in 1618 and looking at it, set within an extravagant expanse of playing fields, it’s easy to come over all Brideshead Revisited. Architecture buffs may appreciate its mix of styles, from the St Pancras station-esque to geometric modernist. And if you fancy seeing inside, the modern wing of the college plays host twice a year to the ultra trendy Mid Century Modern furniture fair — frequented by 20th Century design aficionados kitting out their homes with post-war classics.
Dulwich Picture Gallery was purpose built to a ground breaking design by Sir John Soane, using natural light to maximum effect. It houses magnificent 17th and 18th century European masterpieces, including works by Rembrandt, Canaletto and 
Rubens. Recently expanded and redeveloped, it is one of Southwark’s “must-see” world class attractions. The park is one of London’s best green spaces, particularly suited to families with children. There’s a duck pond, boating lake, a great playground and even some Barbara Hepworth sculpture lurking amongst the foliage. Oh, and what about that tandem ride? London Recumbents, located within Dulwich Park, is a bicycle hire company offering all manner of weird and wonderful two wheeled contraptions for hire. The park is the perfect place to try them out — you might even encounter a Penny Farthing along its wide flat paths.
