Lordship Lane is an ancient thoroughfare, once rural, in East Dulwich, a southern suburb of London, England. It runs north-south from Goose Green to Dulwich Common. The lane is filled with fashionable bars and restaurants.

Points of interest

The architecturally meritorious Dulwich Library, which opened on 24 November, 1897, is on the lane. Lordship Lane is also home of the unusual listed builiding, the so-called "Concrete House". This locality is also the subject of Lordship Lane Station, Dulwich, an 1871 painting by Camille Pissarro [1], which now hangs at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.

The childrens author, Enid Blyton was born on 11 August, 1897 above a shop in Lordship Lane.

The Concrete House

One of the most architecturally interesting buildings in the area is at 549 Lordship Lane. The so-called "Concrete House" is a derelict grade II listed building and is an example of a 19th century concrete house. It is believed that it is the only surviving example in England. It was built in 1873 by Charles Drake of the Patent Concrete Building Company. In 1867 the builder had patented the use of iron panels for shuttering rather than timber. It is listed on English Heritage's Buildings At Risk register. Southwark Council has refused permission for it's demolition and it has become derelict because empty for so long.

History of the lane

Lordship Lane is East Dulwich's oldest street. It is an ancient thoroughfare that significantly predates the late 19th century developments. [2][3]The area was transformed from fields and market gardens to Victorian suburbs in the period 1865 – 1885. The tram line that once served Lordship Lane is long gone.

External links

• History of the Lordship Lane area
• English Heritage on the Concrete House
• Lordship Lane website