View source for Nunhead

{{Short description|Suburb of London Borough of Southwark, London}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| type = [[Suburb]]
| region = London
| official_name = Nunhead
| london_borough = Southwark
| post_town = LONDON
| postcode_area = SE
| postcode_district = SE15, SE4
| dial_code = 020
| os_grid_reference = TQ355755
| coordinates = {{coord|51.4622|-0.0508|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| constituency_westminster = [[Peckham (UK Parliament constituency)|Peckham]]
| static_image_name = Gibbon Road, Nunhead - geograph.org.uk - 4368535.jpg
| static_image_caption = Gibbon Road and Nunhead station
| population = 13,620
| population_ref = (2011 Census. Ward)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13689052&c=Nunhead&d=14&e=62&g=6336899&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1476349700195&enc=1|title=Southwark Ward population 2011|access-date=13 October 2016|publisher=Office for National Statistics|work=Neighbourhood Statistics|archive-date=21 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021060151/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13689052&c=Nunhead&d=14&e=62&g=6336899&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1476349700195&enc=1|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| charingX_distance_mi = 4
| charingX_direction = NW
}}
'''Nunhead''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ʌ|n|h|ɛ|d}}) is an inner-city suburb in the [[London Borough of Southwark]], England,<ref name=council>Southwark Council - [http://www.southwark.gov.uk/Public/Community.aspx?mode=Display&itemId=3709&dbLocation=0,7,75,25&category=Community%20Council Nunhead and Peckham Rye Community Council] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704050747/http://www.southwark.gov.uk/Public/Community.aspx?mode=Display&itemId=3709&dbLocation=0,7,75,25&category=Community%20Council |date=4 July 2008 }}</ref> {{convert|4|mi|km}} southeast of [[Charing Cross]]. It is the location of the {{convert|52|acre|km2|adj=on}} [[Nunhead Cemetery]].<ref name=bbc>BBC London - [https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/05/10/nunwood_cemetery_feature.shtml Nunhead Cemetery]</ref> Nunhead has traditionally been a working-class area, but is undergoing [[gentrification]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Liebman|first=Robert|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/hot-spot-nunhead-back-from-the-dead-1175841.html|title=Hot Spot: Nunhead: Back from the dead|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=3 October 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/2008/02/08/on-the-tiger-trail|title=On the Tiger trail|magazine=[[The Economist]]|date=8 February 2008}}</ref> It is the location of several underground [[reservoir]]s, built by the [[Southwark and Vauxhall Waterworks Company]].<ref name=old>''[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45282 Peckham and Dulwich]'', Old and New London: Volume 6 (1878), pp. 286–303</ref>

==Etymology==
[[File:Old Nuns Head, Nunhead, SE15 (1444053136).jpg|thumb|left|The Old Nuns Head, Public House]]

The name is first recorded in a deed of 1583 relating to a land sale including estates "lying at Nunn-head."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Beasley|first=John D. |title=The story of Peckham and Nunhead|date=1999|publisher=London Borough of Southwark |isbn=0-905849-26-4|edition=New |location=London|oclc=59443001}}</ref> The origin of the name Nunhead is not certain but is believed to be derived from a local inn named variously ''The Nun's Head or The Nunhead Tavern''. Local historians and local legend maintain that this name refers to the beheading of a nun during the [[Dissolution of the Monasteries]].

The legend claims that the head of the Mother Superior of a nunnery, which stood where the current public house The Old Nun's Head now stands, was placed on a spike on the green following her death.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Beasley|first=John D.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ERqoAwAAQBAJ|title=Origin of Placenames in Peckham and Nunhead|date=2010-05-15|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|isbn=978-1-4456-2984-1|language=en}}</ref> There is no evidence to support this claim.<ref>Mills, Anthony David (2001). ''Dictionary of London Place Names''. [[Oxford University Press]]. {{ISBN|0-19-280106-6}}</ref> However, a nunnery in the area may have been connected with the nunnery of The Augustinian Priory of St. John the Baptist, Holywell (now Shoreditch) which acquired lands in Camberwell and Peckham in the 12th century.

==History==
[[File:Camberwell Met. B Ward Map 1916.svg|thumb|A map showing the Nunhead ward of Camberwell Metropolitan Borough as it appeared in 1916.]]
A rural settlement of approximately ten buildings named "NoneHead" is clearly visible in the 1762 map titled ''A topographical map of the county of Surrey'' by [[John Rocque|John Roque]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=A topographical map of the county of Surrey [cartographic material] : in which is expressed all the roads, lanes, churches, noblemen and gentlemen's seats, &c. &c.|url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-433937956|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Trove|language=en}}</ref> The settlement occupies the land which is now Nunhead Green and Nunhead High Street. At the time it was separated from the nearby settlement of [[Peckham Rye]] by fields and the now covered [[River Peck]].

In 1834 the [[Worshipful Company of Girdlers|Girdlers Company]] built the Beeston's Gift Almshouses, a terrace of seven Tudor-style cottages which still stand in front of a garden with railings on Consort road.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inventory Site Record|url=https://londongardenstrust.org/conservation/inventory/site-record/|access-date=2021-03-03|language=en-GB}}</ref> Further almshouses were built in 1853 by the Asylum of the Metropolitan Beer and Wine Trade Association on the edge of Nunhead Green to provide housing for aged members of the trade.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Peckham and Dulwich {{!}} British History Online|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/old-new-london/vol6/pp286-303|access-date=2021-03-03|website=british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> In 1868, [[Brocks Fireworks]], a manufacturer of fireworks, built a firework 'manufactory' close to where the pub, The Pyrotechnists Arms, still stands. The pub is so-named because of its original proximity to the firework factory.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pyrotechnists Arms, Nunhead|url=https://whatpub.com/pubs/SEL/10684/pyrotechnists-arms-nunhead|access-date=2021-03-03|website=whatpub.com}}</ref>

Until 1878, Nunhead formed part of the large ancient parish of [[Camberwell]] in the [[Brixton (hundred)|Brixton]] hundred of Surrey.<ref name="vic">[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43027 'Parishes: Camberwell', A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 4 (1912), pp. 24–36]. Date accessed: 3 July 2008.</ref><ref name="vob">{{cite vob|name=Camberwell|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit_page.jsp?u_id=10128742|map=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10128742&c_id=10001043|accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> The area's population growth led to a separate ecclesiastical parish of St Antholin, Nunhead, being formed in 1878, with the church built in 1877.<ref name="vic" /> The area then came within the area of responsibility of the [[Metropolitan Board of Works]] in 1855 and was transferred to the [[County of London]] in 1889. In 1887 Nunhead is recorded as having a population of 10,727.<ref>John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887) - [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/entry_page.jsp?text_id=1748860&word=NULL Nunhead]</ref> Having formed part of the Camberwell parish, it became part of the [[Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell]] in 1900.<ref name="vic" />

There was a [[Nunhead F.C.|Nunhead Football Club]] from 1888 to 1949. Nunhead has some fine examples of late Victorian/early Edwardian properties; these can be seen on both Carden Road and Tresco Road. It is even reputed, in [[Claire Tomalin]]'s biography of [[Charles Dickens]]' mistress [[Ellen Ternan|Nelly Ternan]], that Charles Dickens was taken on his death bed from the house he rented for Ternan, at Windsor Lodge in Linden Grove to Gad's Hill to die. The house no longer stands, but was at 31 Linden Grove. Old maps show that the church was next door to where the dental surgery now stands at 42 Linden Grove, so Windsor Lodge was presumably more or less opposite that.

== St Antholin's, Nunhead ==
[[File:The Lighthouse Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 930000.jpg|thumb|right|The Lighthouse Cathedral, the former Anglican St Antholin's]]

St Antholin church was built in 1877. Built in red brick it is large and rectangular and was built in the style of the first part of the 13th century. The church was built with funds from the sale of the site of [[St Antholin, Budge Row|St. Antholin's, Budge Row]], which was demolished in 1875. The oak [[reredos]] designed by [[Christopher Wren|Sir Christopher Wren]] and a bell were brought from the original church.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Parishes: Camberwell {{!}} British History Online|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/surrey/vol4/pp24-36|access-date=2021-03-05|website=british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> The church was damaged by bombing in 1940 and later restored by Lawrence King. The church was reconsecrated in 1957 and officially renamed St Antony's Church in 1958.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nunhead St Antony |url=https://southwark.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NUN02.pdf |website=Southwark Anglican |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref>

St Antony's was Listed Grade II in 1972<ref>{{NHLE|grade=II|desc=Church of St Antholin|num=1385735|date=27 September 1972}}</ref> but became surplus to requirements of the Anglican Church and was declared redundant in 2001 and sold to its present owners, a [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] congregation. It then became the Lighthouse Cathedral.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Archived copy|url=http://www.peckhamhistory.org.uk/churchesCofE.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702202919/http://www.peckhamhistory.org.uk/churchesCofE.htm|archive-date=2 July 2010|access-date=5 October 2011}}</ref> The bell from the original St Antholin's now hangs in St Silas, Nunhead.

==Regeneration==
Nunhead forms part of Southwark London Borough Council's ''Peckham Programme'' regeneration scheme.<ref name=programme>Southwark Council - [http://www.southwark.gov.uk/YourServices/RegenerationSection/PeckProgramme/ Peckham Programme]</ref> As part of this plan, the area forms part of the East Peckham and Nunhead renewal area.<ref name=area>Southwark Council - [http://www.southwark.gov.uk/Uploads/FILE_32110.pdf East Peckham and Nunhead]</ref> A component was the proposal that the [[Cross River Tram]] could serve the area,<ref name=tram>Transport for London - [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/Revised_route_map_with_rail.pdf Cross River Tram: Route options 2006]</ref> however in November 2008 [[Mayor of London]] [[Boris Johnson]] announced that due to funding constraints this project would be cancelled.<ref>Transport for London - [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/2043.aspx  Cross River Tram project status]</ref>

==Nearest places==
*[[East Dulwich]]
*[[Brockley]]
*[[Peckham]]
*[[New Cross#New Cross Gate|New Cross Gate]]
*[[Telegraph Hill, London|Telegraph Hill]]

==Transport==
[[Nunhead railway station]] is located on Gibbon Road. It is on the line from [[Blackfriars station|Blackfriars]] to Sevenoaks and [[London Victoria station|Victoria]] to Dartford. Services are provided by [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]] and [[Thameslink]].<ref name=nr>National Rail - [https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/nunhead/ Station information]</ref> The area is also served by a variety of [[London Buses]] services.<ref name=tfl>Transport for London - [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/nunhead-13345.pdf Buses from Nunhead]</ref> Bus route 78 starts in Nunhead and terminates in [[Shoreditch]] running via the commercial area surrounding [[Liverpool Street station|Liverpool Street]] as well as going over famous [[Tower Bridge]] and bypassing the historical [[Tower of London]]. The P12, which begins its journey in Honor Oak Park, goes through Nunhead, terminating at [[Surrey Quays]] shopping centre. As part of the [[urban sprawl]] of London, Nunhead is contiguous with the neighbourhoods of [[Brockley]] to the east, [[Honor Oak]] to the south, [[East Dulwich]] to the south west, [[Peckham]] to the north west and [[New Cross]] to the north east.

==Politics==
Most of Nunhead falls within the [[Peckham (UK Parliament constituency)|Peckham]] Westminster constituency. The current MP is [[Miatta Fahnbulleh (politician)|Miatta Fahnbulleh]] of the [[Labour and Co-operative|Labour Co-op]] party. 

The constituency forms part of the [[Lambeth and Southwark (London Assembly constituency)|Lambeth and Southwark]] London Assembly constituency represented by [[Marina Ahmad]] of [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]].

Residents elect three councillors to [[Southwark London Borough Council|Southwark Council]] every four years for the Nunhead and Queen's Road ward.

{{Election box begin |title=Nunhead & Queen's Road 2018 (3)}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = Sunil Chopra*
  |votes      = 2,305
  |percentage = 
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = Gavin Edwards*
  |votes      = 2,276
  |percentage = 
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = Sandra Rhule*
  |votes      = 2,221
  |percentage = 
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Green Party of England and Wales
  |candidate  = Rosalie Schweiker
  |votes      = 528
  |percentage = 
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Green Party of England and Wales
  |candidate  = Steve Barbe
  |votes      = 479
  |percentage = 
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Green Party of England and Wales
  |candidate  = Bartley Shaw
  |votes      = 445
  |percentage = 
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = Domonic Garriques
  |votes      = 254
  |percentage = 
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = Andrew Smith
  |votes      = 251
  |percentage = 
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = Harry Chathli
  |votes      = 249
  |percentage = 
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = Sarah Mustoe
  |votes      = 216
  |percentage =
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = Rupert Morris
  |votes      = 198
  |percentage =
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = Gillian Shields
  |votes      = 196
  |percentage =
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 
  |percentage = 
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 3,328
  |percentage = 29.5
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box new seat win|
  |winner     = Labour Party (UK)
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box new seat win|
  |winner     = Labour Party (UK)
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box new seat win|
  |winner     = Labour Party (UK)
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin| title=Nunhead<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/1000/5_previous_election_results/3486/2014_council_elections/13|title=Election results for Nunhead Ward|access-date= 17 August 2015|date= 22 May 2015|publisher= Southwark Council}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Labour Party (UK)
|candidate=Fiona Colley* 
|votes=2,229
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Labour Party (UK)
|candidate=Sunil Chopra*
|votes=1,936
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Labour Party (UK)
|candidate=Sandra Rhule
|votes=1,820
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Steve Barbe
|votes=714
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Valerie Remy
|votes=555
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Dave Tapsell
|votes=435
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=All People's Party (UK)
|candidate=Althea Smith* 
|votes=323
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Robert Clarke
|votes=298
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Gerald Chan
|votes=255
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Harry Chathli
|votes=237
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Frances Blango
|votes=200
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Paul Melly
|votes=189
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Dolly Mace
|votes=163
|percentage=
|change =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes=3,336
|percentage=34.3
|change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
|winner=Labour Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
|winner=Labour Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
|winner=Labour Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Althea Smith was elected in 2010 for the Labour Party, but defected to the All People's Party.

==Culture==
[[Nunhead Cemetery]] Open Day occurs every May and is organised by Friends of Nunhead Cemetery.

Nunhead Beats the Bounds is an annual event where Nunhead residents march around the perimeter of Nunhead - from Queens Road to Camberwell New Cemetery - to build community spirit. It is generally held the first Saturday afternoon in July.

Nunhead American Radio with [[Lewis Schaffer]] on [[Resonance 104.4FM]] is a radio programme for and about the residents of Nunhead, with special focus on the immigrant American community.

The Nunhead Art Trail is an art and craft showcase organised by volunteers. Nunhead artists and craftspeople exhibit their work in their flats, houses and gardens allowing the public to view and buy the work.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nunhead Art Trail|url=http://www.nunheadarttrail.co.uk/index.html|access-date=2020-10-20|website=nunheadarttrail.co.uk}}</ref>
==Notable people==

[[Harold Bride]] - (born Nunhead, 1890) - Seaman

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Nunhead}}

{{London Borough of Southwark}}
{{Areas of London}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Nunhead| ]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Southwark]]
[[Category:Areas of London]]