Nº 31: Charlie Holland
Londnr magazine writer Charlie Holland recs his favourite SE cafés, an anarchist library and the best canned fish.
We’re back with writer and photographer Charlie Holland. Read on to find out what he’s into, and if you’re new here, hit subscribe for secret recommendations once a week.
Charlie Holland is a London-based writer and photographer for Londnr Magazine with an unhealthy reverence for canned supermarket sardines.
☞ JACK’S CAFE: Speaking of Monday morning bender sadness, this is the place that cures any mental health malady of mine after a weekend of anatomical abuse. They serve lamb’s liver (mini recommendation here is lamb’s liver… high heat minute either side in butter and enjoy rare in the middle) in their fry ups and don’t charge more than a tenner for the pleasure. They’ve seen me in some sorry states in there.
☞ FRED DIBNAH: I’ve become obsessed with Dibnah. Cooking dinner? Dibnah. Getting dressed? Dibnah. Date with girlfriend? Dibnah. Getting dumped because I talk too much about Dibnah? Dibnah. I personally recommend Fred: Episode 04 - Drinking and Climbing. It’s all on YouTube.
☞ 56A INFO SHOP: My friend Emily advised me to visit this place recently. It holds a huge archive of anarchist literature and squatting documents. If you ever need information on South London, whether that be history, sociology or politics, it’s all in there along with huge stacks of information on the pretty aggressive gentrification of the area.
☞ THE MAYFLOWER: I reckon if you end up taking away a few sneaky leaflets on becoming an anarchist you read them holed up here. It’s a quality pub with quality grub. Little bit pricey but worth it for the back terrace that juts out into The Thames. I like going at high tide and in shite weather to feel like I'm at least somewhat near to the sea. I’ve never bothered getting drunk here it’s too peaceful.
☞ SCOOTER CAFE: Can’t say the same for this establishment. I used to work here and the once adjoined Cable Cafe down Brixton Road. It’s quite a tranquil destination during the day, but at night it’s honestly turmoil. The staff here are all absolute legends and play back to back tunes. If you go, get on the cocktails, and try not to stand on the perennially pregnant cats. This place frequently sends me crawling into Jack’s cafe.
☞ THAT HILL IN BURGESS PARK: You might know it – that hill in Burgess Park. If not, I implore you to go. There are many great pilgrimages in this life, but for every faithful inhabitant of London, it must be to here. Sunrise or sunset, there’s surely someone there with a stash of cans or a comedown willing to share in your post work day gladness – or Monday morning bender sadness. It’s a meeting place for all that’s good in the world. God Bless Burgess Park.
☞ MORRISONS PLAYLIST: Not sure if this is a nation wide phenomena, or only present in my local branch, but Morrisons has by far and large the best playlist to accompany your trip to the shops. We’re talking serious curatorial skills here. Over lockdown it was worth just wandering the aisles in there to feel a little bit human.
☞ CANNED SARDINES: Morrisons also do one of the best canned sardines: Scottish sardines in lemon, chilli and garlic infused oil. They’re the brisling size, not the standard canned size, therefore superior in their tenderness. A nose ahead would be the King Oscar brisling sardines in extra virgin olive oil with basil, oregano and garlic, but they cost three times as much as the Morrisons ones. Lidl sardines in olive oil are always a staple at 49p, along with Glenryk Pilchards and any form of canned sprats. The list is endless if I’m honest, but nothing beats a bog standard can of them in tomato sauce with a slice of lime.
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☠︎ HATES: Coffee and jazz. Both leave me enraged and hiding in the bathroom.
TY Charlie! Follow Charlie here. Read Charlie’s beautiful piece about fishing in the Thames here. Follow Londnr Magazine here!
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