Built in 1866 by the London Brighton and South Coast Railway Company it was designed by Charles Barry jnr. The station is located on the land of the historic charity Alleyn’s College of God’s Gift (hence the College’s monogram appearing on the heraldic shields that decorate the railway bridge).
Head down Gallery Road past Dulwich Picture Gallery to find the toll gate.
The Station
In the centre of Dulwich Park is a lake, which attracts waterfowl and paddlers in warmer months. It’s also a great spot to visit the Dulwich Clock Cafe and watch the world go by from its outdoor seating. The park is home to the Dulwich Picture Gallery and is a popular place for walkers and runners, especially when it’s warm out.
The station was built in a hybrid Romanesque style in red brick with extensive stone decoration. It was Grade II listed in 1908. The station is served by Southern trains between London Bridge and Beckenham Junction. It’s on the boundary of Travelcard Zone 2 and 3 so you can use either zone for your ticket.
The restoration of the station building was completed in 2011 and there was a wonderful celebration at the time to thank all those involved, from the Dulwich Society’s Transport sub-committee to local businesses who sponsored the work. During the ceremony Charles Horton, Managing Director of Southern Trains, promised that new CCTV monitors would be installed, all existing signage will be replaced with vitreous enamelled signs which are easier to keep clean and graffiti free, both the platforms and the ticket hall will be cleaned regularly and new ticket issuing facilities will be installed. A regular team will also be on hand to tackle any further graffiti that may appear.
The Forecourt
The station’s most distinctive feature is its elegant red brick facade designed by Charles Barry jnr. His design for the station – which includes a raised entrance area (loggia) with stone columns and high arches crowned by human mask keystones – was intended to complement other grand schemes on the Dulwich College estate to put it on the map, including the Old Grammar School in Gallery Road and the New Building in 1869.
The forecourt was recently restored and reopened as Dulwich’s first piazza. It is now home to a cafe, a community garden and an ice cream stall.
At the time of its restoration, both exiting commuters and the Railway Heritage Trust expressed serious concern that the ticket hall and platforms were in a bad condition, with graffiti and other signs often obscured. As Charles Horton, Managing Director of Southern Trains, was present at the opening ceremony your reporter took this up with him and he committed to improvements such as installing CCTV monitors to deter vandalism and reintroducing a regular team of cleaners.
A short walk away is Dulwich Village, which is a delightful and leafy part of south London, with many restaurants, pubs, a brewery, the famous Dulwich Picture Gallery and the Herne Hill Velodrome. The station is served by trains to London Bridge via Peckham Rye and also by services heading south to West Croydon, Beckenham Junction and Crystal Palace.
The Platforms
Built in 1866 for the London Brighton and South Coast Railway, this elegant Victorian station was designed by Charles Barry jnr. It is the most elaborate of three stations that he created on Dulwich estate land, intended to compliment Alleyn’s College of God’s Gift (hence the initials A.C. on the heraldic shields that decorate the bridge).
The train journey from North Dulwich to London Bridge typically takes 23 mins & there are 54 departures throughout the day. Southern & Thameslink are the main train operating companies. First class tickets are available and generally offer more space & other amenities than standard travel.
A short walk from the station brings you to Dulwich Village, a delightfully green and affluent suburb that feels like a country town hidden within south London. The village offers a great range of restaurants, traditional pubs and the Dulwich Picture Gallery. There is also a large supermarket nearby and the Herne Hill Velodrome, which was used for the 1948 Olympics.
You’ll find plenty of parking in the area around North Dulwich Station, including on-street spaces and some multi-storey car parks. To guarantee your spot, try JustPark – a secure online booking service that lets you reserve parking nearby in just a few clicks. Prices vary, but you can find a space that’s right for you, from a private driveway to a multi-storey car park – and you’ll always know the price upfront.
The Bridge
Designed by Charles Barry jnr and built in 1866 for the London Brighton and South Coast Railway, North Dulwich Station is a fine example of Victorian railway architecture. It’s on the boundary of Travelcard Zone 2 and Zone 3, with trains running to London Bridge via Peckham Rye as well as to West Croydon and Beckenham Junction via Tulse Hill.
Its most recognizable feature is the stunning red brick railway bridge that’s visible from the station forecourt. The bridge has a distinctive classical style, with high archways and pillars. Across the road from the station is Dulwich Park, a 72 acre green space with a beautiful boating lake that’s popular for renting paddle boats in the summer and duck ponds where you can spot waterfowl all year.
The park also has a children’s playground, 19th century clock tower and walled garden, as well as a sports centre with tennis courts and a bowling green. It’s also home to the Lambeth Country Show, a mix of countryside fair and funfair held each July.
There’s also street art in the form of murals by famous urban artists, with pieces inspired by historic paintings in nearby Dulwich Picture Gallery. Plus, on the west lawns are pretzel-like sculptures by Conrad Shawcross that are based on mathematical patterns in music.
