Is Wandsworth a Good Place to Live?

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People often ask us if Wandsworth is a good place to live. As one of 32 London boroughs, the vibrant area that offers residents, has a fantastic quality of life. With a rich history, beautiful parks, and a thriving cultural scene, it’s no wonder that this South West London’s metropolitan borough is famous. Wandsworth is the largest of the inner London boroughs, which covers 13.25 square miles and houses roughly 300,000 people.

The borough’s picturesque landscapes, including the iconic River Thames and River Wandle, provide stunning backdrops for many popular attractions. Wandsworth also boasts some of London’s most sought-after residential neighbourhoods, offering charming period properties and modern developments. This article will journey through Wandsworth to help you understand why this borough is the ideal place to buy property out of all the postcode areas in London.

Why the London Borough of Wandsworth is a Great Place to Live

Geography and Connectivity: Transport Links in Wandsworth

Wandsworth borough is served by several major transport hubs, including Clapham Junction, one of Europe’s busiest railway stations. From here, residents access train services, including the National Rail stations, London Overground, and Southern Rail services, making connecting to central London and beyond easy.

Wandsworth is also well-connected by tube, with stations on the Northern and District lines providing fast and frequent services into London centre. Additionally, numerous bus routes service the borough offering convenient connections to destinations across London.

For more active modes of transport, Wandsworth’s extensive network of cycle routes and dedicated cycle lanes make it easy to get around on two wheels. The borough also benefits from its proximity to the River Thames. Several river bus services provide scenic and enjoyable ways to travel throughout London.

Wandsworth’s Rich History to Modern Day

The history of Wandsworth dates back to the Roman era. But the borough’s name originated from the Old English ‘Wændles’ and ‘worth’, meaning ‘enclosed settlement of Waendel’s people’. Over the centuries, Wandsworth has played significant roles in London’s history, particularly during the industrial revolution.

A famous landmark, Battersea Power Station, is an iconic Grade II listed building that once supplied electricity to much of London. After decommissioning in the 1980s, the site underwent massive regeneration to transform into thriving residential, retail, and cultural places.

Exploring Prominent Places in Wandsworth

Wandsworth comprises several distinct neighbourhoods, each offering unique character and charm. Popular areas within the borough include:

• Battersea: With its iconic power station, beautiful Battersea Park, and close proximity to central London, this neighbourhood attracts real estate investors, young professionals and families alike.
• Putney: Located on the banks of the Thames, this area is known for its lively high street and scenic riverside walks.
• Balham: Often called the ‘Gateway to the South’, Balham is a vibrant and diverse neighbourhood with thriving community spirits.
• Tooting: Home to the famous Tooting Market, this area has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to period properties, trendy bars, and excellent transport links.
• Wandsworth Town: At the heart of the borough, Wandsworth Town features modern developments and historic charm, with its bustling high street and picturesque riverside location.

Parks and Green Spaces: Nature’s Beauty within the Borough

A major attraction of living in Wandsworth is the abundance of green spaces. The borough boasts over 1,700 acres of parks and open spaces, providing welcome escapes from city life. Residents enjoy the following popular parks.

• Battersea Park: This beautiful 200-acre park features a boating lake, children’s playgrounds, sports facilities, and stunning riverside promenade. It’s also home to the famous Children’s Zoo, making it the perfect place for family day outs.
• Wandsworth Common: Covering an area of around 175 acres, Wandsworth Common provides peaceful havens for walkers, joggers, and nature lovers. The common features several sports facilities, including tennis courts, bowling green, and cricket pitch, and sits near Putney Heath.
• Tooting Graveney Common: This expansive green space, popular with local residents for sports facilities, includes an athletics track, football pitches, and the famous Tooting Bec Lido – the largest UK freshwater swimming pool.
• Richmond Park: Although not technically within Wandsworth, this stunning royal park has vast open spaces, perfect for picnics, leisurely walks, and wildlife spotting.

Thriving Culture and Entertainment in Wandsworth

Wandsworth’s thriving culture scenes include theatres, galleries, and live music venues. In addition, the borough hosts several annual events and festivals, including the Wandsworth Arts Fringe. Otherwise, head to top cultural destinations like…

• Battersea Arts Centre: Housed in a beautiful Grade II listed building, the Battersea Centre excels in creativity and innovation, offering diverse theatre, dance, comedy, and music programs.
• Putney Theatre: This community-led theatre provides platforms for local talent, staging various productions throughout the year, from classic plays to contemporary works.
• The Half Moon: Located in Putney, this historic live music venue has played host to big names in British music, including The Rolling Stones, U2, and Kate Bush.

Education and Schools: Top-notch Learning Institutions in Wandsworth

For families with children, the quality of local schools is a top priority when choosing somewhere to live. Wandsworth’s reputation for excellent educational facilities includes top-performing primary and secondary schools. Highly-regarded schools include:

• Belleville Primary School: Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, this famous primary school has solid academic results and welcoming communities.
• Graveney School: This mixed secondary school’s reputation focuses on academic achievement and extracurricular activities.
• Chestnut Grove Academy: As an Arts College, Chestnut Grove Academy offers creative and innovative learning environments, emphasising performing music and visual arts.
• Putney High School: This highly-regarded girls’ school offers an outstanding education focused on academic excellence and personal development.
• Emanuel School: This co-educational independent school set in beautiful grounds features broad curriculums, emphasising sports and art.

Places for Shopping and Dining in Wandsworth

This London Borough’s fantastic range of shopping and dining options stems from bustling streets filled with popular high street brands to charming independent boutiques.

• Southside Shopping Centre in Wandsworth Town features over 90 stores, including popular brands like Debenhams, H&M, and TK Maxx.
• Northcote Road in Battersea features independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it popular for locals and visitors.
• Tooting Market offers various stalls, selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to vintage clothing and handmade crafts.

Wandsworth’s incredible restaurants, cafes, and pubs offer diverse dining options. From Michelin-starred fine dining establishments like Chez Bruce in Wandsworth Common to trendy street food markets like Tooting Market, there’s something to suit every taste and budget. Do also drop into the famous Wandsworth arms for a pint.

Real Estate and Housing: Places to Find a Home

Housing options range from stunning period properties and spacious family homes to modern apartments and luxury riverside developments. With top-performing schools and amenities, it’s no wonder that this London borough attracts young professionals, families, and retirees alike. Property buyers should look at the following popular neighbourhoods.

• Battersea: The riverside location and stunning parkland make Battersea a desirable area to live. Often known for the Southwest Clapham junction, the latest Nine Elms project attracts investors worldwide. In addition, nine Elms is now the home of the US embassy.
• Putney: Known for the borough’s prosperous riverside, lively high street, and excellent schools, Putney is popular with families and professionals alike. Property prices in the area range from around £300,000 for studio apartments to over £3 million for spacious family homes.
• Wandsworth Town: At the heart of the borough, Wandsworth Town’s historic charm and modern convenience feature many properties, from charming period cottages to contemporary apartment blocks, with prices ranging from around £300,000 to over £2 million.
• Balham: With its village-like atmosphere and abundant green space, Balham is popular in Wandsworth.

Conclusion: Why Wandsworth is the ideal London Borough

So, as you can see, we think Wandsworth is a great place to live. An attractive aspect of this London borough is community spirit. The borough’s friendly locals, vibrant events, and excellent amenities make it a good place for people of all ages and backgrounds. Wandsworth is also one of the safest London boroughs, with low crime levels and excellent emergency services.

For young professionals, growing families, or simply a new place to call home, Wandsworth is ideal. From picturesque parks and riverside walks to thriving social scenes and excellent schools, this vibrant London borough has an unbeatable quality of life that Wandsworth borough council aim to continue with investment programs.

Discover Properties for Sale in Wandsworth

Are you in search of the perfect property in Wandsworth to call home? Look no further! As a trusted real estate agent, we have a variety of properties available for viewing in the sought-after neighbourhoods of Nine Elms and Putney.

From luxurious apartments to charming townhouses, there is something to suit everyone’s needs and preferences. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to find your dream home in one of the most desirable areas of London. Contact us today to receive a portfolio of properties for sale via email, or to schedule viewings.