Peek inside Pullens Yards open studios for Xmas

Enjoy a rare glimpse inside Southwark’s revived 1870 workshop community – and get the festive shopping done to boot

Pullens Yard at the other open studios event, this summer
Pullens Yards during their other open studios event, this summer (insert snow and fairy lights here)
Have you capitulated yet? We witnessed mince pie consumption in our office this week, so it’s fair to say that Christmas is probably already a lot closer than we’d like to think.

That also heralds one of only two opportunities a year to visit the lovely Pullens Yards designer-maker workshops, tucked away in the backstreets of Elephant and Castle, seemingly a world apart from the gyratory traffic madness of the roundabout.

The Pullens Estate was built between 1870 and 1901, originally comprising 650 flats, surrounding four separate yards of workplaces. These live-in workspaces were saved from council demolition in the 80s and continue to thrive as a unique resource in the heart of London.

Within the yards today there are a diverse range of arts and artisan businesses, from potters and furniture designers to painters and architects.

Silversmith Carol Mather, one of the resident designer-makers
Silversmith Carol Mather, one of the resident designer-makers

From Friday 5th – Sunday 7th December, the studios on Clements Yard, Iliffe Yard and Peacock Yard will host their 2014 Christmas sale, with plenty of gift ideas, from jewellery to ceramics, carvings to original art, plus demonstrations and events across the weekend.

On the Friday, look out for screenings of Our Walworth, a film uncovering the heart of this the historic local area that features a visit to the Yards’ baroque lute and guitar maker, while on Saturday there is a guided walking tour entitled Walworth old and new.

Cakes and other tasty diversions will come courtesy of on-site café Electric Elephant. And with twinkling lights, well-preserved Victorian cobbled streets and plenty of seasonal good cheer, this is how to embrace the inevitability of another Christmas with a uniquely London appeal.

Pullens Yards, between Kennington Park Road and Walworth Road.
Open Fri 5th December 6.30–9.30pm, Sat 6th & Sun 7th 11am–6.00pm
More info via the website

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