Funky arts venue in the heart of Peckham

Entrance to the Bussey Building, photo: Curatedmag.com
The CLF Art Cafe, also known as The Bussey Building, in Peckham is quite a revelation. Tucked down a narrow alleyway off Rye Lane is a dinky courtyard facing a big old door surrounded by some pretty cool graffiti. Slip inside however and you are in a funky many-levelled former warehouse (originally built for making cricket bats in the early 20th century).

The cafe area is huge and a bit unforgiving when it's empty but once things kick off it's a great room with a bar at one end and a stage area at the other, this is where gigs, comedy sets and exhibitions are often held.

Bussey Building/ CLF Art Cafe bar, photo: Mickey Smith
Go up a couple of floors and you'll find the theatre space which is connected with the Royal Court Theatre and boasts a jam-packed schedule of new and classic plays by some of the UKs brightest young performers. Head upstairs again and you'll reach the huge roof terrace where openair summer parties have in the past raged all day, from now on there's a no music outside policy to keep the neighbours happy but there's still drinks and food, and the views across London as the sun goes down are simply stunning.

Bussey Building rooftop party, photo: residentadvisor.net
The whole building is a bit crumbly (and when the heating breaks in the winter, it's freezing!) but it's got so much 'rough around the edges' character and it's such a huge space. Fantastic for an urban-style photo or video shoot this is also a great building for cultural activity and I think it's probably really flexible (and possibly quite cheap, or even free, to hire).


Planning a trip:
Seconds from Peckham Rye Station (overland and Overground from London Bridge/Clapham Junction) and moments from bus routes into the centre the Bussey Building is really easy to get to. There's also a multi-story car park next door (where the famous Frank's bar opens on the rooftop in the summer).








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