Wandsworth has a well-earned reputation as one of the best places to live in London. Offering a healthy balance between city living and residential neighbourhoods, it combines strong transport links, plentiful green spaces and excellent schools. Consistently ranked as one of the boroughs with the highest quality of life, this is a place people not only choose to live, but also decide not to leave!
Under the Spotlight
The south west London borough of Wandsworth has a young population of around 336,500, and covers over 13 square miles. It incorporates several well-known neighbourhoods including Putney, Balham, Tooting, Roehampton, Wandsworth Town and Earlsfield.
Wandsworth takes its name from the River Wandle, and was first recorded as a small rural settlement in the Domesday Book of 1086. It abecame an important industrial centre during the 18th century, as a result of the River Wandle powering mills producing flour, paper and textiles. By the 19th century trade had boomed, bringing factories and the Young’s brewery – a major local employer. The area was bombed during the second world war, so the post-war era was largely defined by extensive rebuilding.
Wandsworth is undergoing regeneration. The River Thames forms most of the borough’s northern boundary, which has driven riverside development. While the area has evolved, it has preserved its historic commons and Victorian housing stock, and seen industrial sites transformed into high-quality homes and offices.
There’s an extensive mix of rail, underground, bus and river services. National Rail stations include Clapham Junction (one of Europe’s busiest), Wandsworth Town, Earlsfield, Balham, Putney and Queenstown Road, with fast services to Waterloo, Victoria and beyond. On the underground, the District Line serves East Putney and Southfields, while the Northern Line serves Balham, Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway. The Overground connects parts of Battersea and Clapham Junction with orbital routes across London. Bus services are frequent and reliable. Driving is straightforward, with easy routes in and out of town and to the M25, but traffic can be heavy so, if you don’t need to drive, you may prefer to make use of the extensive cycle routes.
Love Actually fans will remember The Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) asking Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) about Wandsworth, “So which exactly is the dodgy end?”. The reality is, it is all relatively nice, with crime rates 20% lower than the London average. Especially desirable areas include Putney, for its green space and riverside walks, and Wandsworth Common, for its excellent schools and Victorian and Edwardian streets. Better value can be found in Earlsfield, which has excellent rail links to Waterloo and is popular with families. Balham and Southfields are also very popular.
5 Reasons We Love Wandsworth
- The Thames Path for scenic riverside walking and cycling
- Battersea Power Station, and the panoramic views from Lift 109
- Vast green spaces across the borough
- An impressive – and diverse – pub scene
- A great variety of first homes
You are spoilt for choice with things to do in Wandsworth, but one of its biggest draws – delighting families and fitness enthusiasts alike – is the sheer volume of green spaces, including Wandsworth Common, King George’s Park, parts of Wimbledon Common and Battersea Park, which alone boasts a children’s zoo, boating lake, Peace Pagoda and Go Ape.
Other unique attractions in the borough include Tooting Bec Lido, the UK’s largest freshwater swimming pool (at a whopping 91 metres!); Immersive Gamebox, an interactive digital gaming experience; and Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station, which combines a carefully curated exhibition about the building with a glass elevator ride to the top of one of its iconic chimneys!
Battersea Power Station is now one of London’s most iconic shopping and leisure destinations, with over 150 shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. With everything from high street favourites to high-end fashion, shopping doesn’t get much better than this, but if your preference is for low-key (and less touristy) Southside Shopping Centre, located between Wandsworth High Street and Garrett Lane, is also an excellent choice. Other notable shopping destinations in the borough include Northcote Road for independent boutiques, Ram Quarter on Wandsworth High Street and Tooting Market.
Food is yet another thing Wandsworth does exceedingly well. Step out of Earlsfield Station and Garrett Lane alone will take your tastebuds on a culinary trip around the world! Try Lady Buddha for Indian food, Burrito Mex for Mexican, Phakoon Thai Kitchen for Thai, or Well Kneaded for pizza. There are also countless fab brunch spots including Escape The Daily Grind in Balham, Megan’s in Wandsworth Town and The Skylark Café on Wandsworth Common. Sunday lunch your weakness? The options are endless, but The Spread Eagle on Wandsworth High Street is hard to beat!
Wandsworth’s nightlife is vibrant but relaxed – think gastropubs, wine bars and live music, as opposed to large nightclubs or all-night venues. Of course, Soho, Clapham and Shoreditch are all within easy reach if the mood takes you. The pub scene is strong here, though, with some real gems including The Bedford in Balham, famous for launching many comedians; The Alma in Wandsworth Town, home to lively match days; The Half Moon, a historic live music pub in Putney; and The Ship, on the Thames, which seamlessly combines 18th century riverside heritage with modern dining and a sprawling terrace.
All in all, Wandsworth offers an excellent quality of London life. It’s no wonder Wandsworth residents tend to stick around!
Homes on the market…
EARLSFIELD
SO Resi Earlsfield
FROM £TBC
This new collection of one, two and three bedroom homes in Earlsfield is in the leafy family-friendly neighbourhood in Wandsworth. This exciting development is moments away from Garratt Lane and opposite King George’s Park and the River Wandle offering a lovely balance of green space and city connectivity.
Each home is designed for modern living with contemporary interiors, open-plan living/kitchen/dining areas, fully fitted kitchen with integrated appliances and stylish en suites to selected homes. The houses also come with private rear gardens and allocated parking spaces to all properties and have been carefully planned to create a welcoming neighbourhood with landscaped gardens, communal areas and views across the parkland and river. An excellent selection of cafes, restaurants and everyday amenities are just a short walk away, with Southside Shopping Centre only five minutes away by car.
Travel connections are excellent, with Earlsfield station close by, offering fast, direct services to London Waterloo in under 15 minutes. Nearby Clapham Junction and Wimbledon provide wider train and underground connections
soresi.co.uk
020 8607 0550
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