There are reasons that more than half of the homes for private sale in the second phase of the Southmere development have sold in a little over three months.
Peabody New Homes and Lovell’s joint venture in Thamesmead is proving popular as the area takes regenerative steps on a path that’s forecast to see 100,000 people move in by 2050.
“Providing lakeside living with Zone 2 convenience, we are excited to be selling our new phase of highly anticipated homes at Southmere,” said Raquel Soares, assistant director of sales strategy, intelligence and compliance at Peabody.
“Located at the heart of Thamesmead’s vibrant regeneration, Lakeshore and Skyline are set to the backdrop of gorgeous green and blue spaces, exciting new amenities and exceptional transport links.
“With properties in regeneration areas typically seeing an additional annual sale price performance of 4.3%, Southmere is inviting buyers to invest in a growing community.
“Now available to reserve, those hoping to find their place in this up-and-coming destination can contact us via the website now and take advantage of the Stamp Duty contribution of up to £22,000.”
The scheme’s second phase comprises 192 one, two and three-bedroom apartments – image supplied by Peabody
on the edge of the water
The scheme’s second phase comprises a pair of red-brick buildings on the edge of Southmere Lake – Lakeshore and Skyline.
Together these house a collection of 192 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes available for private sale.
All properties come with outdoor space (including some with multiple balconies) in addition to features such as Silestone worktops in the fully fitted kitchens alongside blue and green units – a theme that carries over into the homes’ bathrooms in a scheme intended to reflect the blocks’ surroundings.
Southmere sits in 590 acres of green space and is part of a £2.5million regeneration project of land around the lake.
The development is part of a 2.5million regeneration project – image supplied by Peabody
amenities at Southmere
The scheme includes a newly created public plaza – Cygnet Square – as well as amenities such as The Nest Library And Community Space, a Co-Op, an Anytime Fitness gym, a health centre and a dentist.
Also local, the Thamesmead Arts And Culture Office provides spaces for a wide range of arts events, as well as hosting a coffee shop, bakery and deli and The Lakeside Centre contains 38 artists studios, a creche and a cafe.
Perhaps the most compelling reason for moving to Thamesmead, however, is the Elizabeth Line, connecting the area via its Abbey Wood station across the capital like never before.
Canary Wharf is 13 minutes away with the City just 20 minutes direct.
What buyers who make those journeys will find at Thamesmead is plentiful open space and waterside living.
The wider regeneration project’s aim, in addition to providing housing and amenities, is also to safeguard and enhance the area’s natural beauty including nature reserve, Tump 53, the ancient trees of Lesnes Abbey Woods and 18km of riverside walks and 7km of canals.
Together, these all add up to give Southmere residents access to more than double the amount of green space than the London average.
Simon Ginsburg, head of sales at Lovell said: “We’re really excited for Southmere Phase 2 on the beautiful lake front in Thamesmead.
“Our vision is to create amazing places where people want to live and a lakeside view in London on the balcony is truly a rare find.”
The properties overlook Southmere Lake – image supplied by Peabody
key details: Southmere
Prices for apartments at Southmere start at £350,000.
Shared ownership properties for the second phase of the development are set to launch in 2026.
“Diwali is a celebration of light, joy and togetherness – and this year’s programme brings that spirit to life in a new format,” said Laura Flanagan, director at Greenwich Peninsula.
“We’ve worked closely with independent traders, artists and performers to create a day that honours South Asian heritage and showcases the richness of its traditions.
“This vibrant celebration reflects our diverse community, and we welcome people from all over London to join in and spend the afternoon eating, dancing and creating.”
Join a vibrant procession led by illuminated rickshaws, Dhol drummers and Garba dancers in traditional costume as it winds through the Design District.
Under a canopy of light, take part in a group dance that unfolds in three parts – Dandiya Raas, Garba and open free dancing, the heart of the celebration.
The event will also feature a South Asian street food market from noon-8pm in Peninsula Square and Bollywood beats and desi DJs from 4pm-9pm at Canteen Food Hall And Bar to keep the party moving.
DJs will perform at Design District’s Canteen Food Hall – image supplied by Knight Dragon
key details: Diwali at Greenwich Peninsula
Diwali celebrations on Greenwich Peninsula are set to take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 2pm until 7pm.
All workshops and performances are free to attend.
“We want them to feel like they’re actually in a pub, that it’s as real as possible,” said Peter.
“They will be meeting characters, not caricatures. Everybody watching will relate to somebody in the play.”
To assist in the illusion, the play will take place in the theatre’s bar with a capacity of around 50 seats and a production design that puts the audience right at the heart of the action.
“The show isn’t in a huge amphitheatre, so everyone who comes will be in the piece – they’re literally in the pub with us,” said Peter.
“Sat at tables, we’ll be talking to them – chatting away.
“It’s a small and intimate performance and, while it’s a cliché that every show on a stage is different, this will be that multiplied by 100.
“We’ll be pulling pints and smashing glasses.
“We might have hecklers because some of the characters are not particularly nice, so you could even see someone getting told to ‘do one’.”
Kellie plays the landlady and six other parts in the play – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
walking into the pub
The show opens with Kellie and Peter in the roles of landlady and landlord of the pub and continues from there.
“We’ve arranged to practise at my local, the Blythe Hill Tavern in south-east London,” said Kellie.
“Terry, who runs it, does the best Guinness in London and we’ll be there in preparation because we’ll be pulling pints on the night.”
The actor, known for her portrayal of Carly Wicks in EastEnders among many other roles on stage and screen, is no stranger to Greenwich Theatre, having starred in its production of Parlour Song by Jez Butterworth earlier this year.
She said: “Artistic director James Haddrell asked me if I fancied doing Two and I was a bit scared at first but I really wanted to work with him as a director again.
“Living just up the road and working here is great because I have three kids and this gives me that balance.
“The main thing for me though was the writing.
“Jim Cartwright is a bit of a legend and the decision to stage it in a bar, done up as a 1980s pub, makes it an immersive show – it hasn’t been presented like that before.”
Cartwright – known for The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice and Road – wrote Two at a time when pubs were still the social and cultural heart of Britain before long term decline set in from the late 1980s.
Audiences at Greenwich Theatre’s show are invited to step back in time by taking a seat at the Clock And Compass, buy a pint and play pub games before the show takes over.
Peter and Kellie first met while performing at the National Theatre – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
audiences will literally be in the pub for Two
“The play starts behind the bar with the landlord and landlady, but other characters will be sitting at tables with the audience,” said Peter.
“The play is about a variety of different couples. Each character has a story that’s connected to somebody else – that’s why it’s called Two – whether they’re dead or alive.
“It could be a difficult relationship or a co-dependent relationship, and each one is different and complex.
“For us, the costume changes are really quick, but the way Jim has written it means there are little fillers to allow characters just enough time to do a quick change and then go straight back in.
“It’s a marathon but it’s going to be really great fun – it’s a show I’d really like to see.”
Audiences can expect to meet the likes of an old woman whose only respite from caring for her bed-bound husband is a nightly drink at the pub as well as Maudie and her philandering boyfriend Moth, who can’t resist chatting up everyone else in sight when the Clock And Compass opens its doors.
It’s apt, perhaps, that Greenwich Theatre is staging Two in this fashion – a celebration of spaces that bring people together in one that has long served as an inspiration for those who visit.
Kellie herself said it was going to pantos in theatres that first drew her to become an actor.
the power of panto
She said: “Watching those shows at Christmas was the catalyst. I couldn’t believe you could get paid for performing on stage.
“I went to the Brit School in Croydon and then became a jobbing actor, building things up, doing TV and getting to know people.
“Peter and I have been friends ever since we worked at the National Theatre together.”
Peter, known for stage roles at the Almeida and the Old Vic, also took to performing from a young age.
He said: “As a kid I was part of the choir at my school and, when I was eight, I was given the solo at a Christmas carol service.
“All eyes were on me and I got that taste for performance.
“It was an amazing feeling and I just wanted to keep doing it.
“I was in the chorus of Oliver when it came to Nottingham and then did all kinds of plays aged 12-17 before moving to London.
“I think Kellie and I have both been lucky doing lots of different things – TV, musicals and plays.
“Personally, I would rather do a challenging show than one that pays really well but where I’m just in the background.
“So when Kellie came to me with this I thought: ‘Wow, this is the biggest challenge’, because the characters I play are aged eight to 80, which is insane.”
key details: Two at Greenwich Theatre
Two is set to run at Greenwich Theatre for four weeks from August 21-September 12, 2025.
Performance times vary during the run and tickets cost £24, which includes a drink.
>> For selected dates during its revival of Two, Greenwich Theatre has partnered up with Greenwich Gin to offer audiences tutored tastings.
Taking place on Wednesday nights during the run, the add-on includes a welcome G&T, a short talk on the history of the spirit and a guided sampling of four award-winning gins.
The Greenwich Gin masterclass experiences, which should be booked via the venue’s website cost £37.50 – £13.50 on top of a standard ticket to the show.
I see what you did there. We are. The event is set to feature a diverse selection of brass collectives performing outdoors and the best thing is, it’s free to attend.
where’s this happening?
Brassworks will take place in the courtyard at Woolwich Works following a parade from General Gordon Square.
For those who’d like to dance their way through the town, the promenade performance starts at noon.
then what happens
Once the march through Royal Arsenal Riverside to Woolwich Works is done the festivities kick off with a DJ set at 12.30pm.
Then it’s a succession of live bands from 1pm.
Bollywood Brass are set to play the parade and festival – image supplied by Woolwich Works
Founded in 1901, this historic ensemble brings more than a century of tradition to the stage with everything from classical arrangements to film scores in their repertoire.
a strong start…
And there’s more to come. Bollywood Brass will combine powerful horns with dhol drumming to get the audience moving from 2pm.
This will be followed by Blow And Blast, a performance where audience members are encouraged to dust off their instruments, fill their lungs and participate.
what then?
From 4pm, Brassic Parp will perform a set of DJ-style pop medleys dressed as characters from Jurassic Park (for some reason).
Expect plenty of John Williams themes.
and rounding things off…
Then it’s up to the London Afrobeat Collective to finish things off with a headline set starting at 6.30pm.
Expect a heady blend of afrobeat, funk, jazz and Latin sounds with a performance that promises “raucous energy and danceable grooves”.
The eight-strong multinational ensemble has a solid following in the capital and has toured across Europe.
London Afrobeat Collective will headline Brassworks 2025 – image supplied by Woolwich Works
they say
“Brassworks celebrates the power, heritage and future of brass music in London,” said Liat Rosenthal, head of creative programming at Woolwich Works.
“We’re thrilled to present an inclusive line-up spanning cultures and genres, alongside opportunities for everyone to get involved.
“Last year’s inaugural event was a fantastic day and we hope to build on that success this year.”
Blow And Blast will give anyone with a horn the chance to perform on the Brassworks stage – image supplied by Woolwich Works
anything else I should know?
Yes, since you ask. You know the Blow And Blast performance at 3pm?
Well there’s a bit more to say about that.
The project is aimed at reuniting players with their brass instruments that perhaps have lain untouched for some time.
To that end, players of all levels are invited to attend a rehearsal session from 1pm-2.30pm at Woolwich Works before having the chance to play the Brassworks stage shortly afterwards.
Those interested can simply show up or find out more about the communal blow via email to rosie.gilbertson@woolwick.works
key details: Brassworks
Brassworks 2025 starts at noon on September 6, 2025, in General Gordon Square with performances at Woolwich Works from 12.30pm.
“What our volunteers always talk about is the sense of community and supporting people they perhaps wouldn’t normally meet,” said Rosie Farrer, operations manager at WeSwim.
“There’s also networking with other volunteers and participants, but really it’s just the happiness and joy they feel that keeps them coming back.”
WeSwim is coming to south-east London.
The charity supports disabled people into swimming, pairing them up with volunteers to help them get in the pool and enjoy their time in the water.
Founded six years ago, it’s grown to five clubs and will open two more this year.
The facility is set to open in early September 2025, with WeSwim sessions expected to start shortly afterwards.
Consequently the charity is looking for volunteers to help run the sessions.
The charity’s operations manager, Rosie Farrer – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
becoming a WeSwim volunteer
“We ask people to commit to coming twice a month, especially when first starting out,” said Rosie.
“The sessions lend themselves well to a creative mindset because it’s about supporting the person in front of you and problem solving together.
“For example, I was swimming with a guy who had limited mobility on one side of his body and we were figuring out how he could use a float because he couldn’t grip it with his hand. It was fun and collaborative.
“Some participants have particular goals they’re working on, but we have people engaged in a huge variety of activities in every session.
“For some, it might just be about getting in the water.
“People can turn up really fearing the pool and so the work is about just helping them take those first steps.
“Then it might be putting their face in the water and learning to just float on their back.
“There are lots of benefits to being in the water.
“Often the feeling of weightlessness and the support it gives them is really helpful.
“Alternatively, a participant may be recovering from a stroke and the session might be useful for rehabilitation.
“For lots of participants and volunteers alike, attending is also about the social side.
“We often focus on the exercise, but for many these sessions are a highlight in their week – getting out and seeing friends.
“The participants and volunteers are a very diverse group – we’re a big melting pot.”
For Rosie, getting involved with WeSwim brought together her passion for working for and with charities as well as her love of the water.
Volunteers assist and support disabled people in the pool during sessions – image by WeSwim
from charity work to the benefits of swimming
She said: “I have lots of experience of working with charity startups and bodies that fund projects.
“I’m also a coach and a facilitator who supports people that are perhaps a bit stuck in their lives and help them decide what they want to do next.
“I run women’s retreats too, many of which involve outdoor swimming and walking and I’m an outdoor swim coach too.
“I love the water and so the job at WeSwim has been great.
“I’ve been working with the charity for about 12 months to help it grow.
“Personally, I love the sessions. Getting in the water with WeSwim is just so joyful.
“You can have had a rubbish day at work, maybe it’s a cold January evening and then you find yourself supporting someone who wouldn’t normally be able to swim.
“It puts the rest of your life in perspective.
Volunteer Jack Cunningham, left, assist Eddie at a WeSwim session. Jack will be managing the Canada Water club – image by WeSwim
“Going to a session and seeing people’s faces always brightens up my day. It feels like the work we do as a charity has a real impact.
“All you need to do to be able to volunteer is to get in the water yourself and be confident swimming.
“Sometimes people think we are looking for swimming teachers and that’s not really it at all.
“Sometimes participants want to improve their strokes and we offer training to support that, but it’s definitely not a requirement.
“Potential volunteers might be worried about whether they will know what to do – what disabilities they may be faced with.
“Again, we provide training and we also have a strong core of volunteers that operate each club.
“They’ve been working with the charity for many years and they are very confident and able to support others in the water if there are specific issues as well as providing hints, tips and tricks to help improve participants’ experiences.
“There’s always support. You won’t be expected to get someone out of a wheelchair and into the water on your own, for example.
“For each session there’s always a safeguarding lead who knows exactly what participants’ disabilities are and will be on hand to assist if necessary.
“One of the things that’s important for us, however, is that we don’t want to lead with a participant’s disability.
“At the sessions, they explain what they can and can’t do themselves – it’s never about the disability really, it’s about the person.
“Our volunteers are wonderful people. They are mostly young professionals who are doing this after work to bring a bit of joy to their day.
“Some want to support people with disabilities and others are keen swimmers and are passionate about making sure people can access the water.”
The newly built pool at Canada Water Leisure Centre – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
key details: WeSwim at Canada Water
WeSwim is set to launch its Canada Water Leisure Centre club in early September 2025.
Sessions will take place on Tuesday nights from 6.45pm-8pm, priced £2 for disabled participants.
The charity is currently looking for volunteers to help run them.
Neither participants nor volunteers need to be members at the centre.
A giant zoetrope of skeletons punting across the Styx, a vast chandelier with jazz musicians for candles swinging from a crane, huge trebuchet-like bells swinging too and fro, a slick of multicoloured foam, acrobats, dancers, performers, weird installations and cups of tea.
These are just a tiny fraction of the things the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival has brought to east and south-east London, almost all free to watch and thrillingly vibrant.
But don’t take my word for it.
To mark the 30 years organisers have been pulling this remarkable annual event together, large format coffee table book Above And Beyond by Fiona Hughes is set to go on sale to coincide with the launch of this year’s festival.
Frankly, I don’t envy the author.
Even with 160 pages to play with, boiling down the sheer quantity of shows performed over three decades must have been a tough assignment.
The team members behind GDIF, led by festival founder and artistic director Bradley Hemmings since the event’s inception, are not strangers to tricky issues, of course.
Yet somehow on a yearly basis they pull off a powerful programme of shows, finding funding, commissioning artists and emerging victorious over the organisational bothers.
Epiphytes features aerial performers – image by Claude Esselen
a mirror: the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival
“It’s been very interesting and sometimes challenging, but the festival is in some way a mirror of people’s social and cultural lives over the last 30 years,” said Bradley.
“If you think back to the 1990s, you’d be hard-pressed to find a place where you could have a meal on the street or in a public space outside.
“There has been such an explosion of alfresco cultural experiences and there’s now a real appetite for doing things together in the open air.
“If you think of spaces around London, like Canary Wharf, they’re now designed for outdoor conviviality.
“That’s the journey we’ve gone on in a very distinctive way and we’ve thought a lot about that during our time producing the festival.
“For what we do it’s about informality – people can come and see GDIF, meet up with friends and relax.
“It’s completely accessible. It’s something you can have a conversation about, not something where you have to sit in silence in a row.
“Above And Beyond contains gorgeous photographs and very interesting storytelling by Fiona to highlight some of the companies and people who have worked with us over the years.
“I’m so proud of them all.”
Turning Worlds will take place on Greenwich Peninsula – image by Frank Emmers
GDIF 2025: Above And Beyond
“Above And Beyond” is also the theme for GDIF 2025, which kicks off on August 22, 2025, with a performance of the same name at 6.45pm in Woolwich’s Beresford Square.
We are living in anxious times, so the idea of ‘Above And Beyond’ is that there are no boundaries or walls to define outdoor arts,” said Bradley.
“There’s a continuity and it can happen anywhere – an inn, a park, a town centre, next to a dock, on a roof, or even, as this year, up in the sky.
“The opening night will feature a specially commissioned production with eight French performers from Lézards Bleus who will create an incredible, heart-stopping Parkour presentation that will take over landmark buildings in Woolwich.
“The climax will feature a collaboration with the Greenwich-based Citizens Of The World Choir made up of sanctuary-seeking people, who’ve done all sorts of exciting things including performing at Glastonbury and recording with Ed Sheeran.”
Weight(less) will be performed as part of Greenwich Fair – image by Lina Johansson
evolution and a return to Greenwich Fair
GDIF has consistently changed and evolved over the years, taking root in all kinds of locations depending on availability and funding.
For its 2025 iteration, performances are in the main split over five chunks – one in Greenwich, one on Greenwich Peninsula (home to Bradley and the organisational team) one in Woolwich, one in Thamesmead and the last in Stratford.
First up, Greenwich Park is set to host Greenwich Fair from August 23-24 with performances at various times in the area across the two days.
Bradley said: “It’s a fantastic event but quite hard for us to resource so we had to take a break last year.
“However, we’re delighted to be working with Royal Parks and Greenwich Park, to bring it back to its original home.
“The location is where the 19th century Greenwich Fair used to happen and we’ll be bringing together a programme of street art, dance, circus and installations, with a very family-friendly character at the top of the park in celebration.”
Following on, Greenwich Peninsula will host Turning Worlds on August 30 and 31.
“We’ve moved our offices here, in the Design District and it’s a really invigorating place to work,” said Bradley.
“There are wonderful businesses and phenomenal architecture here, and there are great public spaces too.
“For Turning Worlds we’ve taken ideas of performance and engineering and it will feature a giant metal spiral, a device that enables a performer to walk on a wall and a show that involves exchanges between an acrobat and a giant robotic arm. Robopole, especially, is a phenomenal creation.”
Robopole will be performed on Greenwich Peninsula for 2025 – image by GDIF
heading to Woolwich
On September 4, it’s Woolwich’s turn with Fragments Of Us and Go Grandad Go set to both be performed twice in General Gordon Square.
“The former is a piece we’ve co-commissioned with Talawa from dance company Fubunation and director Sonia Hughes.
“It’s going to be very inspiring and thought-provoking, which will invite people into the lives of a cast of black performers who are creating and presenting the work.
“It’s a piece that will challenge traditional assumptions about black masculinity and reveal beautiful moments of poetry, and the brotherhood and connections between the people in the show.
“Then, Go Grandad Go is commission from fantastic dancer and choreographer Dani Harris-Walters. It’s hip-hop – very family-friendly and feel-good – and takes audiences into this world of relationships across the generations.
“It’s really fun and very relatable and engaging.”
The Weight Of Water is set for shows in Thamesmead – image by Campagnefoto
tilting in Thamesmead
Completing this year’s series of spectacles in south-east London will be The Weight Of Water, a giant tipping staircase of a stage where six performers will dance while battling gravity as their floating performance space.
“It’s from a Dutch company, who have created a wonderful piece of ingenious engineering, that involves a floating stage which can actually tip and change position in response to the movements of the acrobats and dancers on it.
“The show is very much urging us to be aware of the climate crisis and the impact of political indecision.
“There’s live music, dance and circus. It’s nail-biting and an incredibly surprising show which has toured widely across Europe.
“We’re thrilled we’re able to bring it to Thamesmead on September 6 and 7.”
Also taking place that weekend will be Dancing City, an extensive programme of performances on the Saturday held in various locations for the second time in Stratford.
We’ll preview this event more extensively in due course.
Greenwich + Docklands International Festival founder and artistic director, Bradley Hemmings – image by Matt Grayson
key details: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival
Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2025 is set to run from August 22 until September 6 at various locations in south-east and east London.
“We are delighted to have completed Neptune Wharf and to be able to deliver highly specified new apartments in Deptford,” said Eli Dias, executive chairman and CEO of Galliard Homes.
Located on Grinstead Road, with Deptford Park to the north and Folkestone Gardens to the south, the scheme connects the two open spaces via a newly constructed public square, while providing more than 170 apartments spread over six buildings.
Currently on the market are 37 apartments for private sale, with Galliard recently unveiling a host of incentives for prospective buyers.
Four properties have been significantly discounted with price reductions of up to £135,000.
First-time buyers can look forward to having their Stamp Duty bills covered, while contributions to legal costs are also available for those using solicitors from a preferred panel to handle conveyancing.
There are also 100% mortgage deals available for those who meet the criteria, meaning even those who haven’t saved up a deposit could potentially purchase a home.
As for the apartments available for sale themselves, one and two-bedroom properties are available with some of the larger units laid out as duplexes.
The Galliard Homes development is located in Deptford – image by Galliard Homes
going inside: Neptune Wharf
Buyers can expect full height glazing with homes on upper levels offering direct views of Canary Wharf, the City and the surrounding open spaces.
Inside oak-style flooring, light grey walls and steel hardware present a neutral base with open-plan living areas and private balconies for all apartments.
Kitchens feature integrated Smeg appliances, navy base units and oak-style wall cupboards over stone worktops.
The homes come with a wealth of tech including LED lighting, in-built radio, TV and Sky-Q ports and kitchen taps that deliver hot, cold or boiling water on demand.
Main bedrooms boast built-in wardrobes, while bathrooms are tiled in porcelain and come with white sanitaryware, thermostatic showers and heated towel rails.
A total of 37 apartments are available for private sale at the scheme – image by Galliard Homes
The homes all achieve an Energy Performance Certificate rating of B and include central heating systems based on flat-panel white radiators.
Some apartments are available fully furnished.
Neptune Wharf is located around a 16-minute brisk stroll from three stations – Deptford, South Bermondsey and Surrey Quays – offering rail and Overground connections into central and east London.
It’s located about 15 minutes from Canary Wharf via bus and Tube.
The development is in an area that is set to see major regeneration over the coming years as schemes at nearby Canada Water and New Bermondsey, both bringing thousands of incoming residents, businesses and new infrastructure to this part of south-east London.
As an increasingly attractive part of the city, it’s therefore likely to bode well for those seeking capital appreciation as well as an interesting place to live.
Properties come with integrated Smeg appliances – image by Galliard Homes
key details: Neptune Wharf
A total of 37 private sale apartments are on offer at Neptune Wharf through Galliard Homes.
Prices start at £375,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. Two-beds, including duplexes, are also available. Viewings are by appointment.
“Greenwich Peninsula buzzes with life in the Summer, from leisurely weekend brunches by the river, to vibrant foodie experiences and unmissable performances from some of the UK’s hottest talents at our iconic jazz and food festival, Rhythm And Taste,” said Laura Flanagan, director of Greenwich Peninsula, as the area looks forward to a season of entertainment and events.
“Our 5,000-strong residential community benefits from free art, music and culture right on their doorstep and, each year, we curate a varied programme of diverse cultural experiences for everyone to enjoy and get involved with.
“Peninsula Summer is a celebration of the very best of the Peninsula, against a backdrop of – hopefully – a Great British summer.”
The brainchild of fashion designer Wayne Hemingway and Traid CEO Maria Chenoweth, this seven-week pop-up shop will sell pre-loved fashion with all proceeds going to charitable causes.
Purposeful retail that aims to do good things for people and the planet.
Canteen Courtyard, Design District – Jul 10-Aug 31- £4
The art duo Graphic Rewilding are dedicated to bringing outsize flora and fauna into urban spaces and here present a floral mini golf course for visitors to enjoy with friends.
Complementing the offering at Canteen Food Hall And Bar in Design District, visitors are invited to discover the flavours available at a pop-up fleet of street food trucks during Peninsula Summer.
Doughnuts, ice cream, pizzas, pick’n’mix, crepes, waffles and churros will all be available for hungry punters.
Visitors can enjoy The Chromatic River Walk as part of Peninsula Summer – image by Greenwich Peninsula
Open Tuesday-Saturday, this artist collective and gallery will be hosting workshops, events, exhibitions, performances and community projects throughout the summer.
The jazz and food festival promises a whole nine hours of music, roaming performers, street food, markets and meet-ups.
The programme includes shows from jazz collective Steam Down, Shunaji And Knats, Design District’s radio community Loose.fm, DJs Tim Garcia And Tina Edwards and many more.
Also on offer will be wine tasting, workshops and a pan-Asian street food and craft market.
Peninsula Square + Design District – Aug 30-31 – free
Rounding out Peninsula Summer will be the return of the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, this year celebrating its 30th edition.
This year, Greenwich Peninsula will host a series of performances over two days including Turning Worlds, Ripple, Walking On The Wall, The Scale and Robopole.
Audiences can expect acrobatic feats, circus skills and weightless movement on a rooftop basketball court.
getting to Peninsula Summer
Greenwich Peninsula is easily accessed by Jubilee line to North Greenwich, cable car from Royal Victoria Dock, numerous bus services across south-east London and Uber Boat By Thames Clippers along the river to Greenwich Pier.
Take a putt: Wild Swing Golf – image by Greenwich Peninsula
key details: Peninsula Summer
Peninsula Summer is set to run from July 10 to August 31, 2025, at various locations on Greenwich Peninsula.
When the tools finally go back in the van, Berkeley Capital will have delivered around 5,400 new homes on the site of the Ferrier Estate in south-east London.
Spread over 86 acres, the project is one of the larger regeneration schemes in this part of London, kicking off in 2010.
It includes Cator Park (recognised with the Sir David Attenborough award for enhancing biodiversity), two schools, a nursery, a health centre and a range of commercial spaces that have attracted the likes of Sainsbury’s, YoHome and Starbucks. It even has its own pub in the shape of The Depot on Pegler Square.
Since work began, Berkeley has delivered some 1,400 affordable homes as part of the development including 645 built in partnership with the Royal Borough Of Greenwich and housing association L&Q.
Recently council leader Cllr Anthony Okereke joined representatives from the developers and local residents to mark this milestone and officially open the latest apartments.
The properties are split between London living rent, London affordable rent and shared ownership to cater for a range of needs.
Cllr Anthony Okereke celebrates the completion of 645 affordable homes with L&Q and Berkeley at Kidbrooke Village – image by Berkeley Capital / L&Q
marking delivery at Kidbrooke Village
“We’re hugely proud to complete our 645th affordable home and it’s fantastic to see more households settle in,” said Justin Tibaldi, managing director of Berkeley Capital.
“Kidbrooke Village is a compelling example of successful long-term urban regeneration and has made a hugely positive difference to this part of Greenwich.
“Partnership working has been key to that success and shows what can be achieved through a shared vision and commitment to delivery.”
Neil Davis, development delivery director at L&Q, said: “At L&Q our mission is to combine our social purpose and commercial drive to build homes and neighbourhoods everyone can be proud of and we are very proud of what this partnership has created at Kidbrooke Village.
“While this event celebrated the completion of the 645th affordable home in this superb community and almost six years of working in partnership locally, as a housing association, we will be managing these homes for decades to come.
“So we look forward to watching the community grow even further and we will continue to provide support and exemplar services for residents.”
One and two-bed shared ownership homes are currently available – image by Berkeley Capital / L&Q
shared ownership options
Currently one and two-bedroom properties are available through L&Q at Kidbrooke with three-beds expected to be released soon.
Apartments feature open-plan design and full height glazing to allow plenty of natural light in.
Locally there’s an extensive children’s playground by APES (which built the award-winning facilities at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park) and a concierge service for residents.
The development is also well connected, with an on-site rail link connecting directly to the likes of Lewisham, London Bridge, Waterloo East and Victoria. Canary Wharf is about 25 minutes away with a change onto the DLR.
Cyclists can reach the likes of Lewisham and Greenwich in 16 minutes and 21 minutes respectively.
A show home interior at Kidbrooke Village – image by Berkeley Capital / L&Q
key details: Kidbrooke Village
Shared ownership homes are currently available at Kidbrooke Village through L&Q.
Prices start at £93,750 for a 25% share of a one-bed based on a full market value of £375,000.
It’s a category that’s grown and keeps growing, meaning the organisers of the London Craft Beer Festival had to look for a larger venue.
“When we started, we attracted 2,000 people, now it’s 20,000 and there are still new people coming into the industry and doing amazing things – it’s brilliant,” said Greg, managing director of We Are Beer, which runs events in Manchester and Bristol as well as the capital.
“The decision to move to Magazine London on Greenwich Peninsula gives us a lot more outside space and that’s what our partners want so they can do bigger and better things.
“We’ve moved on from Tobacco Dock slightly south of the river, although with the way the Thames wiggles we’re actually a little further north than we used to be.
“We’ve worked with Broadwick, which owns the venue, for a long time and this is a purpose-built event space with a showground.
“You have the A2 right there and the transport links via the Jubilee line are brilliant – Canary Wharf is one stop across the water for the DLR and the Liz Line and we’re directly connected to Stratford and London Bridge.
“Our audience comes from London and the commuter belt around the city so it’s a good spot and it made sense to make the move.”
Greg Wells, managing director of We Are Beer – image by Wharf Life
celebrating a growing category at the London Craft Beer Festival
So what’s in store for the festival as it expands further east on the banks of the Thames?
“It’s grown,” said Greg. “There will be more than 200 traders there including 150 drinks brands.
“Craft beer remains the core of what we do.
“When we started there were about 20 breweries in London and there are something like seven times that number now.
“As a category it started as 0% of the market and now it’s 10% nationwide.
“It’s still the second fastest growing category, but it has inevitably slowed, with post-pandemic and the cost of living.
“There is some consolidation happening – some of the smaller operations are joining together – but the main thing is that it’s now 50% of the beer market in London.
“When you go to a restaurant or a pub in the capital, the selection is often brilliant.
“It used to be hard-to-find – something hidden – but now it’s in every supermarket.
“We’re about celebrating good beer and that’s why we have some of the more traditional brands like Timothy Taylor and exciting brewers from Europe.”
The event will feature a wide range of beers to try and plenty of entertainment – image by We Are Beer
a rundown of the event
On the face of it, the London Craft Beer Festival is a relatively simple proposition.
The ticket price covers entry and all beer with the chance to try more than 800 creations from scores of breweries.
The list is extensive, but the festival will include a strong showing from some of London’s celebrated brewers including DEYA (voted top at last year’s inaugural Top 50 UK Beers awards), Verdant and Tiny Rebel.
There will be international visitors too with beers from the USA, Europe and Australasia including New Zealand’s Garage Project new for this year.
Beyond the beer, there will also be plenty of spirits brands represented as well as wine and even sake and alcoholic tea.
In addition to the drinks, the festival offers a wealth of street food options and plenty of entertainment for those who like to dance off their drinks or even play crazy golf with Ballers.
There are four festival sessions to choose from, each lasting five hours on the afternoons and evenings of the two days.
These start at 11am or 6pm. Groups of four can also buy entry together for a discount.
Alongside all beer and cider, these also include fast track entry, a main dish and side per person from the food traders, two vouchers for non-beer drinks (think cocktails and spirits), a guided festival tour with a beer sommelier on arrival and a dedicated meeting point and host for your group.
Ticket prices include all beer consumed during each five-hour session – image by We Are Beer
primed for growth
“We’re going to be a Magazine for the foreseeable future as we continue to grow the event,” said Greg.
“We want to become a part of the Greenwich community and for as many people in Canary Wharf and the surrounding areas to join us as possible.
“We’re very much an event that’s hitting the mainstream – at 13 we’re through the toddler years and into the angry teens.
“Thinking back, craft beer used to be about being dragged along by your aficionado friends to specific establishments.
“Now, from Bermondsey to Walthamstow there are whole clusters and neighbourhoods where it runs deep – beer, brewing and the whole culture around it is integrated into the city.
“People continue to change ,as well attitudes to drinking, where consuming beer may not be the centre of the experience when visiting a venue.
“But there are many other angles and that’s going to be a big part of the next decade – those who get their taprooms rights will be the ones that flourish.
“Consumer discernment remains really high – people want quality.
“If you look at areas like casual dining or fast food, the options available now are way more nutritious and flavourful than they were 20 years ago.
“I don’t think that’s going to go away, although people will always be looking for value too. Craft beer has always been welcoming – it’s never been about being super specialist and that’s the same as our event.
“It’s going to be a whirlwind, a kaleidoscope of flavour with beer, food, music and more.
“Come and join us, it will be brilliant.”
The London Craft Beer Festival is set to take place at Magazine London – image by We Are Beer
key details: London Craft Beer Festival
The London Craft Beer Festival runs at Magazine London from July 18-19, 2025.
Individual tickets cost £64.50 per person with other options available for a five-hour session.
Group tickets for four people cost £59.50 per person.
There are also options for fast-track entry and hospitality packages for larger groups including drinks and food.
