Wandsworth Area Guide

Wandsworth nestles between Putney, Earlsfield, Clapham, Tooting and the River Thames. Of all the areas in south-west London, Wandsworth stands out for its combination of hugely appealing properties, a fantastic range of pubs and restaurants as well as plenty of green spaces. Add in a great range of state and private schools, a rejuvenated riverside and easy access to central London, it’s no wonder that it is one of the most in-demand areas in the entire city.

Why buy or rent in Wandsworth?

Wandsworth oozes appeal for young professionals and families. Properties range across large Victorian and Edwardian detached houses to characterful terraces through to contemporary riverside apartments with views stretching to Westminster and beyond. The railways brought London workers and families here in the mid to late 1800s, putting breadwinners in easy reach of the city centre. The area continues to attract a working population which benefits from London salaries and career opportunities.

Two stations – Wandsworth Town and Wandsworth Common – connect to the mainline rail network and Victoria and Waterloo are a few stops away. The overground also connects easily to the tube at nearby Clapham Junction or one stop further away at Vauxhall. There are plenty of bus options, and for drivers, the main A3 trunk road provides a direct route out of London towards the M25 and the national motorway network.

Putting your money into property in Wandsworth is a very safe bet, with prices continually trending upwards. You can find apartments starting at relatively affordable prices, but, as ever, location has a major bearing on the amount of your hard-earned cash you will have to part with to buy or rent here. As you move upscale, prices rapidly jump into the high hundreds of thousands and beyond that into the millions. Demand continues to be very strong and steady.

What are the sought-after roads in Wandsworth?

Wandsworth’s prime spot is the ‘Toast Rack’, to the west of Wandsworth Common. There are plenty of very comfortable turn of the century family homes on great plots here. The name comes from the well-ordered layout of tree-lined avenues, and the roads to look out for include Westover, Baskerville, Dorlcote and Cicada.  On the north side of the common, Spencer Park has impressive, large detached homes and runs around a lovely communal garden.
The old town area near the river, known as the Tonsleys, features smaller, cottage-style Victorian homes which are always in very high demand. The new developments of the Riverside Quarter and nearby Ram Quarter (the former site of Young’s brewery) are in former industrial areas, now offering smart, contemporary apartments across the river from Chelsea.

Wandsworth for families

For families, there’s plenty to love about living here, with a real community feeling in different areas such as the Toast Rack and the Tonsleys. Throughout the area there are plenty of well-supported community and social groups where families new to Wandsworth can find like-minded friends.

The open spaces of Wandsworth Common are home to many types of sports activities for youngsters of all ages, and for families to burn off energy. The ducks on the Common Pond appreciate bread-throwing children, and there’s also the well-equipped Lady Allen Adventure playground. You’re not far from central London here, but it feels more like a small local town.

Shopping in Wandsworth

In the heart of the area, Southside Wandsworth is one of London’s biggest indoor malls, with familiar names throughout to cater for pretty much everything you need. Amazon has chosen the shopping centre for one its pioneering Amazon Fresh stores. Waitrose and Sainsburys supermarkets are opposite one another on Garrett Lane, and there are convenience food stores throughout the borough. You can also find plenty of independent stores such as butchers, florists, ironmongers and home stores dotted round Old York Road, Garrett Lane and the High Street.

Wandsworth schools

For very young families there is a healthy choice of pre-school groups and nurseries, and as the children grow up parents can choose from a range of highly rated primary and pre-schools. Your sons and daughters can then stay in the area for their secondary education. In the state sector Ernest Bevin and Ashcroft Technology are both rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. In the independent sector, Emanuel School has received glowing reviews in Tatler and the Good Schools Guide. Nearby London boroughs open up an even wider set of choices, including faith schools.

Eating and drinking in Wandsworth

The jewel in the crown of Wandsworth restaurants is Michelin-starred Chez Bruce, often cited as Londoners’ favourite restaurant, and a real destination for lovers of classic French cuisine. Also in Bellevue Road, Good Earth serves refined and delicious oriental dishes, and there are further oriental and Asian treats on offer at Sausome Kitchen and Indian Ocean. The Toast Rack Bake House in Trinity Road and the Skylark café in Dorlcote Road are much-loved neighbourhood eateries, and along the main thoroughfares you can find plenty of places to drop in for tasty bites from pizza and pasta to burgers and exotic street food.

Wandsworth also boasts some character-packed pubs which are great places not just for a pint but also for a good feed. The Ship down by the river is a go-to spot, especially when the weather is good enough to enjoy the beer garden, and The Alma opposite Wandsworth Town station has a welcoming feel of yesteryear – no wonder so many commuters stop off for a spot of refreshment on their way home.

Wandsworth cinemas, activities and open spaces

Cineworld in the Southside Wandsworth Shopping Centre is a 14-screen complex where film fans can catch up with the latest blockbusters and family favourites, but the area itself is short of theatres (however, you’re not that far from all the attractions of the West End).

There are plenty of opportunities to get into sports and fitness sessions on the Common, with further options on tennis and bowls at King George’s Park, and a putting green at Wandsworth Park. You can also enjoy riverside walks, or work out at the Wandle Recreation Centre.

The Common is the largest open space in the borough, covering over 170 acres. There are prepared pitches for football clubs and other organised sports, and plenty of free space for informal kickabouts, kite-flying and generally letting off steam. The wilder areas of the Common are very popular with dog walkers – Wandsworth is probably as good a place to live for our four-legged friends as it is for human residents!

How much is council tax in Wandsworth?

Wandsworth council tax rates are the second lowest in London. They work out at just over a quarter of what you would pay in the city’s most expensive borough, Kingston-upon-Thames. That’s a significant saving on annual outgoings, and a further reason to consider setting up home here.

Why choose Maalems for moving to Wandsworth?

 At Maalems, we are committed to making your home move work brilliantly for you. We will be of real help every step of the way, from telling you all about different areas and different streets to helping you find the best property for you. We know Wandsworth and south-west London intimately – it’s our home patch and you won’t find better advice or service from any other estate agent.

We will also handle all the details that need looking after for sales and lettings, however complicated and challenging. If you’re a buyer, seller, tenant or landlord and you are considering Wandsworth, get in touch with Maalems now.

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Wandsworth Area Guide

Wandsworth nestles between Putney, Earlsfield, Clapham, Tooting and the River Thames. Of all the areas in south-west London, Wandsworth stands out for its combination of hugely appealing properties, a fantastic range of pubs and restaurants as well as plenty of green spaces. Add in a great range of state and private schools, a rejuvenated riverside and easy access to central London, it’s no wonder that it is one of the most in-demand areas in the entire city.

Why buy or rent in Wandsworth?

Wandsworth oozes appeal for young professionals and families. Properties range across large Victorian and Edwardian detached houses to characterful terraces through to contemporary riverside apartments with views stretching to Westminster and beyond. The railways brought London workers and families here in the mid to late 1800s, putting breadwinners in easy reach of the city centre. The area continues to attract a working population which benefits from London salaries and career opportunities.

Two stations – Wandsworth Town and Wandsworth Common – connect to the mainline rail network and Victoria and Waterloo are a few stops away. The overground also connects easily to the tube at nearby Clapham Junction or one stop further away at Vauxhall. There are plenty of bus options, and for drivers, the main A3 trunk road provides a direct route out of London towards the M25 and the national motorway network.

Putting your money into property in Wandsworth is a very safe bet, with prices continually trending upwards. You can find apartments starting at relatively affordable prices, but, as ever, location has a major bearing on the amount of your hard-earned cash you will have to part with to buy or rent here. As you move upscale, prices rapidly jump into the high hundreds of thousands and beyond that into the millions. Demand continues to be very strong and steady.

What are the sought-after roads in Wandsworth?

Wandsworth’s prime spot is the ‘Toast Rack’, to the west of Wandsworth Common. There are plenty of very comfortable turn of the century family homes on great plots here. The name comes from the well-ordered layout of tree-lined avenues, and the roads to look out for include Westover, Baskerville, Dorlcote and Cicada.  On the north side of the common, Spencer Park has impressive, large detached homes and runs around a lovely communal garden.
The old town area near the river, known as the Tonsleys, features smaller, cottage-style Victorian homes which are always in very high demand. The new developments of the Riverside Quarter and nearby Ram Quarter (the former site of Young’s brewery) are in former industrial areas, now offering smart, contemporary apartments across the river from Chelsea.

Wandsworth for families

For families, there’s plenty to love about living here, with a real community feeling in different areas such as the Toast Rack and the Tonsleys. Throughout the area there are plenty of well-supported community and social groups where families new to Wandsworth can find like-minded friends.

The open spaces of Wandsworth Common are home to many types of sports activities for youngsters of all ages, and for families to burn off energy. The ducks on the Common Pond appreciate bread-throwing children, and there’s also the well-equipped Lady Allen Adventure playground. You’re not far from central London here, but it feels more like a small local town.

Shopping in Wandsworth

In the heart of the area, Southside Wandsworth is one of London’s biggest indoor malls, with familiar names throughout to cater for pretty much everything you need. Amazon has chosen the shopping centre for one its pioneering Amazon Fresh stores. Waitrose and Sainsburys supermarkets are opposite one another on Garrett Lane, and there are convenience food stores throughout the borough. You can also find plenty of independent stores such as butchers, florists, ironmongers and home stores dotted round Old York Road, Garrett Lane and the High Street.

Wandsworth schools

For very young families there is a healthy choice of pre-school groups and nurseries, and as the children grow up parents can choose from a range of highly rated primary and pre-schools. Your sons and daughters can then stay in the area for their secondary education. In the state sector Ernest Bevin and Ashcroft Technology are both rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. In the independent sector, Emanuel School has received glowing reviews in Tatler and the Good Schools Guide. Nearby London boroughs open up an even wider set of choices, including faith schools.

Eating and drinking in Wandsworth

The jewel in the crown of Wandsworth restaurants is Michelin-starred Chez Bruce, often cited as Londoners’ favourite restaurant, and a real destination for lovers of classic French cuisine. Also in Bellevue Road, Good Earth serves refined and delicious oriental dishes, and there are further oriental and Asian treats on offer at Sausome Kitchen and Indian Ocean. The Toast Rack Bake House in Trinity Road and the Skylark café in Dorlcote Road are much-loved neighbourhood eateries, and along the main thoroughfares you can find plenty of places to drop in for tasty bites from pizza and pasta to burgers and exotic street food.

Wandsworth also boasts some character-packed pubs which are great places not just for a pint but also for a good feed. The Ship down by the river is a go-to spot, especially when the weather is good enough to enjoy the beer garden, and The Alma opposite Wandsworth Town station has a welcoming feel of yesteryear – no wonder so many commuters stop off for a spot of refreshment on their way home.

Wandsworth cinemas, activities and open spaces

Cineworld in the Southside Wandsworth Shopping Centre is a 14-screen complex where film fans can catch up with the latest blockbusters and family favourites, but the area itself is short of theatres (however, you’re not that far from all the attractions of the West End).

There are plenty of opportunities to get into sports and fitness sessions on the Common, with further options on tennis and bowls at King George’s Park, and a putting green at Wandsworth Park. You can also enjoy riverside walks, or work out at the Wandle Recreation Centre.

The Common is the largest open space in the borough, covering over 170 acres. There are prepared pitches for football clubs and other organised sports, and plenty of free space for informal kickabouts, kite-flying and generally letting off steam. The wilder areas of the Common are very popular with dog walkers – Wandsworth is probably as good a place to live for our four-legged friends as it is for human residents!

How much is council tax in Wandsworth?

Wandsworth council tax rates are the second lowest in London. They work out at just over a quarter of what you would pay in the city’s most expensive borough, Kingston-upon-Thames. That’s a significant saving on annual outgoings, and a further reason to consider setting up home here.

Why choose Maalems for moving to Wandsworth?

 At Maalems, we are committed to making your home move work brilliantly for you. We will be of real help every step of the way, from telling you all about different areas and different streets to helping you find the best property for you. We know Wandsworth and south-west London intimately – it’s our home patch and you won’t find better advice or service from any other estate agent.

We will also handle all the details that need looking after for sales and lettings, however complicated and challenging. If you’re a buyer, seller, tenant or landlord and you are considering Wandsworth, get in touch with Maalems now.