200 Years ago in Peckham
In 1826 The Peckham branch of Grand Surrey Canal opened. It  ran from the main canal at Camberwell to Canal Head on Peckham High Street. The canal closed and filled in 1972. In 1994 the route was grassed over as an public space (the path follows the route of the canal to Burgess Parks  passing under several canal bridges. The 1934 painting shows the old Jones & Higgins department store in the background.

In the sam year the Peckham Fair ended. Centred around the historic Kentish Drovers public house on Peckham High Street, the fair was legendary for its lively, boisterous atmosphere featuring whirligigs, roundabouts, and theatre. However, due to complaints about public drunkenness and pickpocketing, it was officially abolished by 1827
Also in 1826 the Society of Friends Meeting House opened in  Highshore Road for the Quakers. It closed in 1962 and is now a post depot. 

Visit our Peckham History page for a full timeline with maps, prints, photos & films.

Feb 2026: Welsh café and sandwich shop opens on Choumert Road

Bara – a neighbourhood in Peckham championing Welsh produce. Menu options include traditional Bara Brith, Caerphilly cheese sandwiches, and Pembrokeshire shellfish. Owners: Zoë Heimann  (ex-Pique) and Cecily Dalladay (MasterChef: The Professionals) born and raised in South Wales.
Bara, 44-46 Choumert Road, SE15 4SE map.