Wandsworth’s nickname “Nappy Valley” is testament to the area’s appeal with young professional couples who opt to exchange inner city-living and loft apartments for spacious properties, gardens and good schools.
Wandsworth: London riverside living at its best
When it comes to redeveloping London’s industrial riverside past, you would be forgiven for thinking the east side of town has the monopoly. Head a few miles west down the Thames, however, and you reach the shores of a leafy alternative: Wandsworth. Over the last 25 years, the old industries that once choked the banks of the Thames around here have been replaced with stylish new flats that enjoy riverside views – adding a modern twist to an already impressive period housing stock. Life by the water is sweet in this verdant corner of southwest London thanks to famously low council tax, good schools and wide-open spaces.
Transport links
- Tube: Southfields tube station is located on the fringes of Wandsworth. Situated on the District Line, it takes less than 25 minutes to reach Victoria.
- National rail: two railway stations serve the area: Wandsworth Town, which provides a Waterloo service that takes just 12 minutes; and Wandsworth Common, which provides a Victoria service that takes just 10 minutes.
- Bus: popular local bus routes include, 28 (Kensal Rise), 37 (Peckham), 44 and 170 (Victoria), 87 (Aldwych), 156 (Vauxhall) and 485 (Hammersmith).
Property scene
Wandsworth has a diverse property scene – from attractive residential streets lined with fine Victorian and Edwardian detached, semi-detached and terraced houses to shiny new apartments in the Riverside Quarter and the Reach. The “Toast Rack” – a ladder of roads at the side of Wandsworth Common – is popular due to its supply of large semis and detached houses built in the early part of the 20th century.
- Average property price in Wandsworth: £819,456
- Average rental price in Wandsworth for a 1 bedroom property: £508 per week
Local schools
- Primary: most of Wandsworth’s primary schools have an Ofsted rating of ‘good’ or better, including:
Allfarthing School https://www.allfarthing.org.uk
St Michael’s Church of England School https://www.stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk/
Earlsfield Primary School https://www.earlsfield.wandsworth.sch.uk/
West Hill Primary School https://westhill.wandsworth.sch.uk/ - Secondary: there is a selection of Ofsted rated ‘good’ secondary schools in the area:
Saint Cecilia’s Church of England School https://www.saintcecilias.london/
Southfields Academy https://www.southfieldsacademy.com/
Ark Bolingbroke Academy https://arkbolingbrokeacademy.org/ - Private:
Finton House (co-ed, ages four to 11) is a popular preparatory school https://www.fintonhouse.org.uk/
Emanuel (co-ed, ages 10 to 18) is the local private secondary school https://www.emanuel.org.uk/
Things to do
- Shopping: Southside Wandsworth shopping centre is awash with popular chain stores. Meanwhile, independent shops have established themselves in quieter streets such as Old York Road, St John’s Hill, Bellevue Road and Northcote Road.
- Open space: if you enjoy a riverside stroll, you will love Wandsworth. Green space is also in plentiful supply around here; the largest expanse being Wandsworth Common: 175 acres of woods, lakes and heath, where you will find playgrounds, sports facilities and a café.
