Surbiton: live the suburban dream

If you’re in search of a relaxed suburban setting with excellent transport links into London, Surbiton ticks both boxes. Located on the banks of the River Thames it’s just 11 miles from the centre of town.  The locals live the good life in this affluent southwest London neighbourhood, where spacious period properties, top-rated schools, and leafy surroundings are par for the course.

Surbiton: live the suburban dream

When it comes to choosing from London’s suburban hotspots, there’s one requirement that’s always near the top of people’s wish list: quick and reliable transport links. Surbiton’s stock has always been high in this regard, with the commute to central London from its stylish Art Deco station taking less than 20 minutes – not only is this quicker than many more central Underground stations; it’s 10 minutes faster than from neighbouring Kingston-upon-Thames.

Transport

• Train: fast non-stop trains from Surbiton (travelcard zone 6) to Waterloo take just 15-18 minutes. The stopping trains take 30 minutes, calling at Clapham Junction for connections to Victoria and Vauxhall for the Victoria line. Berrylands station also serves the area and is one stop closer to Waterloo on the slower service.
• Road: the A3 connecting London and Portsmouth on the south coast is just a 10-minute drive away.

Surbiton Property scene

The local housing stock is diverse to say the least, catering for almost every taste.  From early Victorian villas and Victorian and Edwardian detached, semi-detached and terrace houses.  As well as twenties and thirties detached and semi-detached houses, Art Deco flats and modern town centre apartments.

Schools in Surbiton

• Primary schools: two Ofsted rated “outstanding” primary schools serve the area: St Andrew’s and St Mark’s CofE Junior School and Tolworth Infant and Nursery School.
• Secondary: Tolworth Girls’ School and Sixth Form (girls, ages 11 to 18) is Ofsted rated “outstanding”. There is a selection of Ofsted rated “good” secondary schools in the local area for children aged 11 to 18, including The Hollyfield School and Sixth Form Centre (co-ed) and Southborough High School (boys).
• Grammar: nearby Kingston upon Thames is home to two “outstanding” grammar schools: Tiffin School (boys, ages 11 to 18) and The Tiffin Girls’ School (ages 11 to 18).
• Private: the local private prep school is Shrewsbury House School (boys, ages seven to 13); while in nearby Kingston upon Thames there is Holy Cross Preparatory School (girls ages four to 11), and Rokeby School (boys, ages four to 13). The local private all-through secondary school is Surbiton High School (co-ed, ages four to 18); while Kingston upon Thames is home to Kingston Grammar School (co-ed, ages 11 to 18), Canbury School (co-ed, ages 11 to 18) and Marymount International School (girls, ages 11 to 18) is a day and boarding International Baccalaureate school.

Things to do

• Farmer’s market: Surbiton’s award-winning market hosts a wide selection of local farmers and producers.  Who sell a range of fresh produce on the third Saturday of every month.
• Open Space: attractive small parks and recreation areas are in plentiful supply within Surbiton’s leafy surroundings. When you’re after something a little more expansive, Bushy Park – one of London’s eight Royal Parks – and Hampton Court Park are just across the river.
• Leisure and the arts: Thames Sailing Club is the oldest river sailing club in the world. Surbiton Golf Club has a thriving membership across all ages.  In Kingston upon Thames there is an Odeon multiplex cinema and IMAX.  Also the Rose Theatre which is the largest producing theatre in southwest London.

Rental Prices

If you’d like to find the average cost of renting a property in London, check out The Simply London Guide to London Neighbourhoods. It includes the average rental prices for the top 20 neighbourhoods in London!

Article published 21st May 2021