Nunhead Frontpage

Historic Nunhead

Nunhead by Day

Nunhead by Night

Nunhead Wildlife

A nice block of flats was built over these old stones in the 1970's

Nunhead pub scene from the 17th century, funny how nothing ever really changes

Nunhead, of course, has a long history, dating back into the mists of ancient prehistory, (for our American visitors that means any time before 1950). First mentioned officially in the Doomsday Book *, the list of residents of the hamlet of Nunhead consisted of " Butte one pygge, and that suffrynge with ye glanders and spolls"

By 1690 Nunhead was said to have consisted of a tavern and a few dwellings, and had a reputation as an area frequented by ladies of the night and brothel keepers. Indeed Nunhead's association with 'the oldest profession' was said to go back much further, to the original priory upon which the tavern was built. The name of Nunhead is claimed by local historians to date back to an unsavioury incident at the priory when one of the nuns was discovered in a compromising position with a local priest.

The association with a free and easy night life continued into the 1700s; indeed when Rocques map of 1745 was published and the name of the area was mis-spelled as None-Head, the local women folk complained of falling sales and a loss of clientelle. Speculative land deals where the shape of Nunheads future in the 1800s, with such far reaching effects that the matters were brought before Parliament. Indeed one senior member of the house of Commons was heard to mutter in the corridors of the House; " Nunhead, where the **** is that?" Only the London Cemetery Company had the forethought to see the potential in Nunhead, wisely buying up the prime real estate of Nunhead Hill.

Nunhead quickly gained a reputation as the place to go to arrange a great party (well, the Brock Firework Factory was built there) and the secluded spots of Nunhead became associated with the infamous Hell-Fire Club (it is claimed that they may, well could have, if they'd ever been in the area; well I'm sure one of them might have passed through, been to Nunhead; probably one afternoon).

Nunhead was poised to become the cosmopolitan centre that we know today!! Now Nunhead throbs to the sounds all year street parties, grooving club beats and foot stomping Gaelic folk music.

Nunhead we love you !!!

* 2nd edition, revised with extended footnotes, 1068

Nunhead is here

Scene of an early omnibus in Nunhead before the invention of the brake