I moved to London from Paris between finishing university and starting my masters degree to improve my English and almost 17 years later, I’m still here. I’d always lived east but in 2020 my husband and I reassessed everything; a lot of the appeal was the nightlife and when everything shut down it felt a bit soulless. Friends lived in Lewisham and we loved the surrounding areas. We fancied a change of scenery and were thinking of starting a family; everything added up to make the switch to Blackheath.
EATING AND DRINKING
I’ve really missed ‘la vie de quartier’, as we say in France, where there’s a boulangerie on every street corner, a newsstand, and a little superette (small supermarket). I love that Blackheath gives me a bit of that feeling. Thanks to the French bakery Madeleine’s, I can pick up pastries and they do the most incredible gelato.
The area has a real community feel and that’s largely down to the pubs. Our favourites are The Hare & Billet and the Princess of Wales for Sunday roasts. Recently, we took my in-laws to Buenos Aires Cafe, where they serve proper hearty, Argentine-style meat. When I’m out with my daughter, Senna, I often stop to grab a tea at the Blackheath Tea Hut which is a bit of an institution.
WORKING OUT
As Blackheath Common is connected to Greenwich Park, it’s really about making the most of the outdoors by walking and running. I have a Peloton so I mainly exercise at home, but I’ve spotted the newly opened Spin and Workout holding some outdoor classes which I’m tempted to try.
COMMUNE WITH NATURE
We don’t have a garden so I take Senna out in her buggy every day. There are a few ponds around the common, so we do a little trek to see the ducks. Prince of Wales pond is the main one and there’s the Blackheath Bookswap there, which is a sweet lending shelf of books. Cross over the common and you’re in the Rose Garden of Greenwich Park — we’ve enjoyed many picnics and birthday parties there.
CULTURE FIX
The Migration Museum in Lewisham is a hidden gem, and it’s free. They stage brilliant exhibitions — the last one was about the NHS. There are half a dozen curated rooms and a nice kids’ area. I always check out the makers’ market, which sells products by immigrant-
owned businesses. In the heart of the village is Blackheath Halls, which I’ve yet to go to, but I’m thinking of booking a Nina Simone tribute night in October. We’re also lucky to have The Conservatoire; I signed Senna up to music classes.
GROCERY SHOPPING
We’re Tesco people for essentials. To stock up on fresh fruit, veggies and eggs, we’ll go to the farmers’ market every Sunday at Blackheath railway station. We bring our own bottles as there’s a refillable milk stall. There’s also Olivier’s, which does an amazing croissant. If friends are coming over, I’ll head to Rockpool Fishmongers for canned sardines and mussels in tomato sauce. They have Perello olives and Torres crisps, too.
GETTING AROUND
It’s so well-connected here; it’s three minutes on the train to Lewisham, where you can connect to the Elizabeth line at Canary Wharf. If I’m going into central London or catching the Eurostar from St Pancras, I’ll get a Southeastern service to London Bridge and then the Tube or the Thameslink.
THE CATCH
Definitely the parking. We don’t have a car, but when people drive over, the lack of spaces is something they flag up.
SOMETHING YOU ONLY SEE IN BLACKHEATH
It’s not uncommon for cars to stop to let a mother goose and her little goslings waddle across the road.
DREAM STREET
The Castor Estate is a private road lined with period detached homes. It’s very charming and quiet, and on a sunny day it reminds me of the grandeur of some neighbourhoods in Los Angeles.
IN THREE WORDS
Quaint, picturesque, family-friendly.
Tabara’s new book, Woven: Make Your Own Accessories from Raffia, Rope and Cane, is published by Quadrille (£16.99)
SCHOOLS
State primary schools including John Ball, St Margaret’s Lee and Wingfield are all rated outstanding by Ofsted. Good options include Brooklands, AllSaints, St Matthew Academy and The John Roan. Private schools include Heath House Preparatory, Blackheath Prep and The Pointer School. For kindergarten through to A-level there is the fee-paying Greenwich Waldorf School.
WHAT IT COSTS
Buying in Blackheath
Average flat price: £484,500
Average house price: £1,104,140
Renting in Blackheath
Average flat price pcm: £2,010
Average house price pcm: £2,970
