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Scratch It!

Our new series Scratch It! gets underneath the surface of some places you thought were too far or too frightening to visit... We give five reasons to visit our selection and a mini history lesson thrown in. And if you think your area is a little known treasure, then email us at editor@londonlostandfound.com to say where you live (or work) and why your bit of London is worth a visit....

5 reasons to visit New Cross

Moonbow Jakes and Morph Music / 275 New Cross Road
By all accounts a very cute independent cafe, and fabulous music shop.

The Paradise Bar / 460 New Cross Road
A quirky bar where you can see some interesting new bands.

Cafe Crema / 306 New Cross Road
A cheap cafe come restaurant, which serves good pasta day and night.

Deptford Market / Deptford High Street and Douglas Way
OK, so it's not strictly in New Cross, but you can't miss the fantastic bargain clothes in Deptford market. Be sure to look different! Open Fridays and Saturdays 9 to 4.

Goldsmiths College / Lewisham Way
Arguably the place that has put New Cross on the map. This fabulous university opened in 1891, but has a very forward looking approach to its courses, which include eco design, theatre arts, international media and jazz and popular music studies.

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A mini history

This area used to be known as Hatcham, an Anglo-Saxon name, meaning “Hacci's village”, or possibly “the village in the clearing in the woods”. A map of 1619 shows the area as still heavily wooded. The ancient road from London to Dover and Canterbury runs through the area, and in the 18th century travellers using the road had to pay tolls at the turnpike gates.

The gate at Hatcham was called New Cross Gate, after the New Cross Inn which stood nearby, and gradually the area became known as New Cross rather than Hatcham. In 1614 most of the land here was bought by the Haberdashers Company, as an investment for one of their charities.

Reproduced from newcrossonline; for more local history, why not visit http://www.newcrossonline.co.uk/history.php.

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