Bellenden Road

History

Bellenden is claimed by residents to be distinct from any of its surrounding neighbours for a number of reasons, although others argue that it is just part of Peckham, East Dulwich or Camberwell. Named after the 7th Lord Bellenden of Broughton, Bellenden Road was laid out along with neighbouring streets from the 1870s on what had formerly been largely fruit gardens serving the City of London.

French Influence

From its earliest days, Bellenden was populated disproportionately by French Huguenots, and still retains something of its French flavour, with various streets, pubs and businesses carrying French names such as the Montpelier Public House, Petit Chou cafe and Choumert Road attracting a significant French population to the area. For this reason Bellenden has for some years been known as 'the French Quarter'.

Art

Artists such as Antony Gormley, Tom Phillips and John Latham have lived and worked on Bellenden Road and in the area. As part of Southwark Council's Bellenden Area Renewal programme Gormley designed bollards and street furniture for the area, Phillips designed lampposts and mosaics, several shop fronts were refitted and Latham installed a major artwork through the front of his house and studio which he named Flat Time House. Flat Time House is now a publicly accessible art and education space and houses the John Latham archive.

Bellenden has a growing spread of shops and cafes. The Bellenden Road Nature Garden is a nature reserve managed by London Wildlife Trust.

Political significance

Bellenden has been home to a number of politically-engaged community groups, such as the Peckham Black Women's Group until 1990, and the Black Lesbian and Gay Centre from 1992 to 1995. The latter was commemorated with a Rainbow Plaque in 2024.

References

References

1. Liebman, Robert. "More For Your Money: Bellenden Road, Peckham, London SE15". [[The Independent]].
2. "Roxburghe, Duke of (S, 1707)".
3. "Bellenden Renewal Area, London".
4. (2016-12-12). "Value added: an artist considers art's role in the property market".
5. "Flat Time House".
6. "Bellenden Road Shops".
7. "Find a nature reserve". London Wildlife Trust.
8. (2023). "Women in Revolt ! Art and Activism in the UK 1970–90". Tate Publishing.
9. anonymous. (1988). "title page". In Print: newsletter of Peckham Black Women's Centre.
10. "Rainbow Plaque: Black Lesbian & Gay Centre - Studio Voltaire".
11. EDITOR. (2024-02-20). "Peckham’s Black Lesbian & Gay Centre marked with new Rainbow Plaque".