The New Cross and Deptford Free Film Festival has barely finished and now there are more festivals springing up in south east London. These two – in Dulwich 10-19 May and Hither Green 18-26 May – are more community oriented, and you should be able to find something worth swapping the tube for a train.
Nature lovers can get their fix with Urban Flower and Wild Food Walks led by You Don't Bring Me Flowers, plus walks round Belair Park and Sydenham Hill Wood. History buffs can indulge a passion with walks in both areas: discover how Dulwich developed and where Jimi Hendrix and Charlton Football Club used to call home. Street art is also featured in Dulwich, and you can find out what the hell those scarecrows are on Friday 10 May at Dulwich Library.
There's jazz, choirs and recitals, talks, gardening, cakes, a 70s night and plenty of stuff for kids. Or how about watching Pixar film Cars and American Grafitti, surrounded by genuine classic American cars (26 May, 5pm onwards, £3)? There's also an appearance by wonderful poet and funny-enough-to-count-as-a-comedian John Hegley at Alleyn's School on 18 May (8pm, £10).
No local festival would be complete without a fair, and Dulwich has two: at Goose Green on 12 May and Dulwich Park on 19 May, or head to Meridian South in Hither Green on 18 May for an afternoon of world food, arts and crafts.
Search the listings of each festival for more interesting events: Dulwich has even produced a lovely programme (PDF) to browse. At the time of writing the Hither Green Festival website was down but all events are listed on Facebook.
