The areas immediately surrounding Dulwich have got some pretty strange place names. But where on earth did they come from?
Here’s a few I’ve learned about recently:
Lordship Lane, SE22
This road was for hundreds of years known as the dividing line between two ancient manors of the ‘lordships’ of Dulwich and Camberwell-Friern. It’s been known as Lordship Lane since at least the 1600s, and probably for quite a while before that. It’s part of one of the oldest routes out of London to the south.
Today it’s dominated by trendy clothes outlets, virtuous food retailers and as many prams as you can fit on the pavement.
Herne Hill, SE24
The jury is out as to whether this is a corruption of the original name ‘Heron Hill’ (because herons used to live in the area) or if it’s identified with ‘Le Heron’, a local field named on a map around the year 1490. Either way, it’s been ‘Herne’ since 1883 when it was used to describe part of the boundary of the old manor of Dulwich.
Breakspeare, SE21
We assume this is named after the sole famous chap of this name – Nicholas Breakspear (1115–59) who was the only English Pope (Adrian IV). But I can’t find any link between him and Dulwich. Any takers?
Champion Hill, SE5
No, it’s not a reference that you’re a champion if you manage to climb it without stopping for breath. It’s actually a reference to Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny, who heralds from the famous Camberwell Crespigny family of Huguenots. So it should probably be pronounced ‘shom-peon ‘ill’.
Gipsy Hill, SE19
An area named after the gypsies whose numerous encampments were a frequent feature of Dulwich and Norwood woods before the 1800s.
So there you are. Drop those little gems of information into conversation next time you’re in the pub and you’ll be revered as a font knowledge. And don’t forget to mention that you learned all about it on the excellent online magazine Dulwich OnView!
With thanks for this information to The Dulwich Society without whos ‘A Gazetteer of Dulwich Roads and Place Names’ (price £2) I would never have learned these facts. An excellent pamphlet to keep by the loo.
Image: thanks with CCL to Mr Jaded on flickr.
One Comment
I was very tickled to discover that my cousin in Melbourne, Australia lived near a suburb called Camberwell. And on further research via Google Maps, I see there is a Herne Hill in Western Australia and a Dulwich in Adelaide. Streuth, mate!