Southwark Council’s enewsletter for residents.
Visit Elephant Springs: a natural play area in SE1
Elephant springs is a free urban oasis in Elephant and Castle with rocks, streams, sand and water fountains. If you’re nearby, pop along for a unique experience.
Try one of our boating lakes
The boating lake in Southwark Park is open together with the boating lake in Dulwich Park. No need to book, just head to either park for some fun on the water.
Free: family yoga in local parks
Work on your fitness and create a balanced lifestyle for you and your family. Join in our free yoga classes aimed at families with young children every Friday in August at various locations across Southwark. Booking required.
Head to a free family festival near London Bridge
A weekend of family fun awaits at the Family Dayz festival at Potters Field Park. On 23 and 24 July you can enjoy great shows, interactive adventures, a musical scavenger hunt and so much more.
Book now: summer holiday clubs for 4 to 16-year-olds
If your child gets benefits-related free school meals they can join one of many summer of Food and Fun holiday clubs in Southwark. The clubs run fun activities and healthy and free food will be available.
The Tree House: free family fun at Elephant Park
A full afternoon of free, family activities awaits to celebrate the opening of The Tree House, Elephant Park’s stunning new pavilion, on Friday 22 July from 12 noon to 8pm. Expect yoga, face-painting, gym sessions, great food, live music and more.
Free: ‘Identities’, a Latin America film festival
Head to Dulwich Park on 23 and 24 July to celebrate Latin America and enjoy independent cinema, regional cuisine, dancing, music and more. Book your tickets online (but tickets are free of charge!).
>> Book your free tickets for ‘Identities’ Latin America festival
Take a walk in Sydenham Hill Wood
Did you know there are woods in Southwark featuring the ruins of a monastery, wood sculptures, and an old railway path that winds its way through the trees? Sydenham Hill Wood, in SE26, has all this and more.
>> Read more about Sydenham Hill Wood
Free: enjoy dancers and acrobats at the Urban Elephant street festival
There’ll be dancers, acrobats and more at a free festival on the streets of Elephant and Castle from 29 to 31 July. The carbon neutral festival has been part funded by our High Street Recovery Fund which helps town centres thrive after the pandemic.

If you get Pension Credit you can also get more financial support, such as a one-off cost of living payment of £324, to help with the cost of living this winter. If you are over state pension age, and are on a low income, you might be eligible.
The Mayor of London’s Warmer Homes programme provides free heating, insulation and ventilation improvements for low-income Londoners who own their own homes or rent privately.
If you’re unemployed, or stressed at work, you can speak to an employment adviser who can help you find the support you need.
The number of people with COVID-19 in Southwark is high and rising. Don’t let COVID-19 ruin your summer plans. Vaccinations reduce your chances of being ill and passing on the virus. It’s not too late to get vaccinated.
Come along to the SE5 Forum ‘feel good’ festival from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 30 July. You can get advice on smoking, cutting down on alcohol, blood pressure, obesity and mental health. You can also get COVID-19 vaccinations if you’re 16 or over, and try out free drop-in sessions including yoga and roller skating for kids.
Part of the tunnel underneath the railway bridge on Old Kent Road has been transformed into a gallery for a series of exhibitions. We commissioned Black Blossoms School of Art and Culture, to work with residents on the project.
Many children have missed vital routine vaccinations, including polio, tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) over the past couple of years. Find out what vaccinations your child should have and contact your GP to get them vaccinated if you need to.
As a resident of the borough, our new economic strategy affects you.
Should it be named after the road it’s on, a GP and civil rights campaigner on the list of 100 Great Black Britons, or founders of the ‘Peckham Experiment’ from 1926?
Join our Energy Savers email list to get regular tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint and save money.

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