Tucked away in a leafy green corner of South West London is the affluent suburb of Wimbledon. While Wimbledon may be best associated with the world-famous tennis tournament that happens here every year, what the area has to offer property hunters stretches far beyond the action on Centre Court.
Wimbledon is very much London's best-kept secret in terms of the quality not just of the homes here, but also the lifestyle that makes the area feel more like a quaint village, rather than being just nine miles south-west of Central London.
Drop a pin in any corner of Wimbledon, and you'll likely come across some extremely imposing homes or an array of boutique cafes and shops. With vast open spaces to enjoy and excellent transport links, Wimbledon has something to suit all those searching for a slice of rural life while remaining in close reach of the city.
Buying a property in Wimbledon isn't just about purchasing a home, but rather the entire lifestyle that is synonymous with the area. Acting as a huge magnet for those who want to leave inner-city living behind but remain close to all of the action, Wimbledon offers an unrivalled standard of properties, not to mention a sense of community that is a rare find in the London property market.
Accessibility
Tube: Wimbledon Station and Wimbledon Park are both on the District Line and can take you to Earl’s Court in about 17 minutes. Wimbledon South is on the Northern Line and will get you to Bank in 26 minutes.
Rail: National rail services run from Wimbledon Station, including a South West Trains service running to Waterloo (18 minutes) and calling at Clapham Junction (seven minutes) and Vauxhall (12 minutes). Wimbledon Chase and Wimbledon are also served by Thameslink trains that reach Farringdon in 38 minutes.
Tram: A tram runs from Wimbledon all the way to Beckenham Junction, stopping at Croydon and Mitcham Junction, passing a multitude of other stops along the way.
Green Spaces
For those who enjoy a scenic walk, there's no shortage of green open spaces to take the dog for a walk, go for a run or even try a spot of horse riding in the town, and it's this access to so much greenery that is a huge draw for residents. Aside from Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, Wimbledon Park, Morden Park and Mitcham Common are all close by.
There’s so much green space in Wimbledon that it’s easy at times to forget you are in one of the world’s busiest cities. The most famous park is Wimbledon Common, home of the legendary Wombles. The largest stretch of common land in the capital, this space has nine ponds, as well as an 18-hole golf course, an athletics track and cricket pitches. Cannizaro Park, formerly the landscaped gardens of a grand house, has been bequeathed to the local community to enjoy. There’s a rose garden, rare trees and a water garden, with many quiet corners for reading and reflection.
Schools
Wimbledon boasts a selection of schools, from nursery and primary onwards, with a range of state secondary, and sixth form colleges and an academy that specialises in performing arts and sciences. There's an abundance of highly sought-after primary schools, including Holy Trinity located in South Park Gardens, Pelham Primary just off the Broadway, as well as Wimbledon Chase and Dundonald primary schools close to Dundonald Park. There are an above-average number of independent schools here, including the Norwegian School and the highly regarded King’s College School, which serves boys from seven to 18 and offers a co-ed sixth form. Wimbledon High School is an option for both primary and secondary-age girls.
Amenities
- Wimbledon has the distinction of having two Waitrose stores and a Mark & Spencer Simply Food, as well as a Morrisons and two Sainsbury's.
- The beautiful Wimbledon Free Public Library opened in 1880 and was saved from redevelopment by a valiant local campaign in 2013. Alongside its special collections of South Asian, French, Polish, German, Italian and Spanish books, it runs taster sessions in IT, crafts and fitness.
- There’s an Odeon Imax on The Broadway serving up blockbusters in 3D, and an HMV Curzon that shows films with an arthouse bend.
- Centre Court Shopping Centre is a haven for high street shopping and is home to lots of fashion and lifestyle brands. Elys Department Store specialises in fashion and homeware and has been open in Wimbledon for 125 years. There’s a range of independent shops, like local bookshop Wimbledon Books & Music, as well as plenty of opportunities for shopping in the Village, where you’ll find stores including Reiss and Trilogy for fashion, Caroline Randall for lingerie and Le Creuset for kitchenware. When you fancy a picnic on the Common, head to deli Bayley & Sage and browse its excellent range of cheese, bread and carefully sourced produce.
Going Out
Drinking: Wimbledon has an excellent selection of pubs to spend a lazy afternoon in, and bars for a weekend night out too. The best pub in the village is the Rose & Crown but the The Crooked Billet and The Hand in Hand, both a 10-minute walk across the Common, rate highly too. Art deco inspired 601 Queens Road is an excellent option in the town.
Eating: The Light House on Ridgway with its high-end menu is just divine, the culinary standard in Wimbledon is simply exquisite. Make sure you have a reservation for the very popular Ivy Cafe. There is also a clutch of high end chains, such as Côte, which serves traditional French fare, alongside the excellent Thai Tho and Chinese food at Bayee. Sticks'n'Sushi is a Scandi inspired sushi bar, and well worth a visit.
Culture and heritage: View old maps and photographs of the area at the wonderful Museum of Wimbledon. Southside House is a 17th-century house maintained in traditional style and crowded with objects drawn from the family who lived here for generations. There are two theatres, the Edwardian-era New Wimbledon Theatre, which mounts a varied programme of plays and music, and the Polka Theatre, a centre of drama for children.
Community and events: There's a book swap in the waiting room on platforms five and six at Wimbledon station, and the area shows off its village credentials to visitors with a country-style summer fair in June.
Sport: For several weeks in the summer tennis takes over, and most residents love to get involved. Few people know that you can actually join the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and play on the courts. Indeed, this part of London is a paradise for sport lovers, and there’s a multitude of gyms and fitness centres in Wimbledon, alongside a range of unique sporting facilities. Wimbledon Village Stables are the oldest in England and offer hacks and lessons. There’s also a running club – Windmilers – that meets every Saturday morning to go off on 5k runs starting and ending at the Windmill.
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