Wimbledon is a district and town located in south west London, seven miles from Central London. Like many areas now firmly a part of London, Wimbledon was once a sleepy rural backwater until the arrival of the railways in the 19th century.(Estate agents in Wimbledon)
The railway station was built in 1838, and Wimbledon began to grow in popularity as an escape for weary Londoners who wanted some green space and fresh air. Wimbledon became popular amongst day-trippers and London residents looking to live somewhere with a better quality of life but still within easy reach of the centre of the capital.
Wimbledon has been an occupied settlement since the Iron Age or even earlier; the hill fort on Wimbledon Common is thought to have been built during this time.(Estate agents in Wimbledon)
Wimbledon appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the manor of Mortlake. Fast forward a few centuries and Wimbledon was firmly residing in the county of Surrey until the creation of Greater London in 1965 when it became absorbed into the London Borough of Merton.
Known the world over for its tennis championships, Wimbledon is the home of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club – the croquet aspect is not so well known but this game was more popular than tennis for many decades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Eventually, it was overtaken by tennis in the 1920s, and the name was changed to the title still in use today.
Wimbledon had another burst of fame in the 1970s when Wimbledon Common became the mythical home of the Wombles, characters from a children’s television show based on the books by Elisabeth Beresford.(Estate agents in Wimbledon)
Wimbledon Common is one of the largest areas of common land in London. The Wombles also became a chart-topping pop group; their adventures that revolved around recycling rubbish were well ahead of the curve in terms of environmental awareness.
Wimbledon is home to the first Thai temple built in the UK, the Buddhapadipa Temple and also lays claim to the oldest recorded riding stables. Wimbledon Village Stables are located behind the Dog & Fox pub in the high street. Riders can enjoy hacking across Wimbledon Common and in Richmond Park.
Property Types in Wimbledon
Wimbledon offers a perfect blend of town and village-style living with a stunning range of properties split between two residential and retail areas known respectively as the ‘village’ and the ‘town’.
House prices are among the highest in London, particularly for homes with views of the Common, and reflect the elegant architecture and beautiful surroundings with the benefit of the Common and Wimbledon Park, plus such easy access to Central London.
The average price paid in Wimbledon over the last year was £1,179,489*. The majority of sales in Wimbledon were flats selling for an average price of £472,814*. Terraced properties sold for an average of £903,670* and semi-detached properties for £1,118,243*. Overall, sold prices in Wimbledon were up 8% on the previous year. The average monthly rental price in Wimbledon is £1,868*.
Demographics in Wimbledon
The population of Wimbledon Park was recorded as just under 12,000* in the most recent 2011 census. The average age of residents is 34 reflecting the fact that this is an affluent area popular with professional couples and families seeking large, well-appointed properties for growing children.(Estate agents in Wimbledon)
Schools and Colleges in Wimbledon
There are 10 primary schools in Wimbledon, seven of which are rated ‘Outstanding’ by OFSTED including Sheringale Primary School, Earlsfield Primary School and Merton Park Primary School. The three remaining primary schools are all rated as ‘Good’.
All the secondary schools in Wimbledon are rated as either ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ by OFSTED. Popular choices are Ursuline High School Wimbledon and Ricards Lodge High School for Girls. There are two independent schools, King’s College School, co-educational from age 11-18 and Wimbledon High School GDST which is girls only from age 4-18.
Local Attractions in Wimbledon
Wimbledon Common is a vast outdoor space totalling 1,100 acres with a windmill that is now open as a museum for visitors. It is a lovely location for spotting birds and other wildlife and has a golf course used by two different golf clubs. Horse riding across the Common can be arranged at Wimbledon Village Stables, but it is a great area to just enjoy a quiet walk.
Just off the west side of Wimbledon Common is the Grade II listed Cannizaro Park with ornamental landscaped gardens, ponds and sculptures. The other significant green space is Wimbledon Park, next door to the All England Lawn Tennis Club. This features a large lake, athletics track, tennis courts, play areas and a paddling pool.
In contrast to the great outdoors, take a trip to the New Wimbledon Theatre situated on the Broadway. This is a Grade II listed Edwardian theatre built rather unusually with a Turkish bath in the basement. It opened in 1910 on Boxing Day and was home to many famous productions, especially between the wars. Lionel Bart’s famous musical, ‘Oliver’ premiered at the theatre in 1960 before transferring to the West End, which led to the Oscar-winning film in 1968. Refurbished in 1991 and 1998, the theatre has some striking baroque features.
Shopping Facilities and Leisure in Wimbledon
Wimbledon Village is the place for retail with chic shops and lovely independent boutiques, book shops, gift shops and antique emporiums interspersed with great eateries, cafes and restaurants serving all kinds of cuisine.
The high street in Wimbledon village has a lovely community vibe and a real, local feel despite the fact it is only seven miles from Central London. The Bentall Centre at Kingston upon Thames is only 15 minutes away for all the high street brand names.
Wimbledon Leisure Centre and Spa in Merton offers a pool, a gym, fitness classes and a day spa. There are many outdoor fun and sporting activities associated with the Common and Wimbledon Park or choose to go behind the scenes at the Lawn Tennis Club’s museum where you can enjoy a 90-minute tour of the grounds.
The museum has a virtual reality experience using the latest technology to take you to the heart of the action walking through the same doors as those famous tennis stars.(Estate agents in Wimbledon)
Pubs and Restaurants in Wimbledon
Foodies will be spoilt for choice in Wimbledon with a range of different international cuisines available at independent wine bars, cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Enjoy cocktails and mocktails in Hemingways in Wimbledon village or some tasty Thai delights at the Giggling Squid. For modern brasserie delights, head to the Ivy Cafe in Wimbledon village with its art deco style interiors and mood lighting.
Pub goers will be spoilt for choice. Dine at the Fox and Grapes in Camp Road on the edge of Wimbledon Common with Michelin starred cuisine and an original building which dates back to 1787. On the corner of Wimbledon Common is the Crooked Billet which serves traditional and seasonal British cuisine with craft ales and beers and a welcome for your dog too after a stroll across the Common!
But if you just want a cup of coffee then try the Saucer and Cup cafe for some of the best coffee in London with snacks and light meals available in this welcoming environment which supports local artisan bakers and makers.
Upcoming Developments in Wimbledon
There is a new mixed-use development called Wimbledon Grounds which will have just under 480 one, two and three-bedroom apartments alongside AFC Wimbledon’s brand new stadium and sports and retail facilities.
First-time buyers are not overlooked in Wimbledon with Catalyst Homes offering shared ownership apartments and duplexes in a new development near the popular Garratt Lane.
Travel Connections from Wimbledon
Wimbledon is incredibly well connected and is the only London station in Zone 3 with an interchange between rail, tube and Tramlink services. At Wimbledon station, you can pick up South Western rail services and also Thameslink. The station is located in the middle of Wimbledon Town centre on the Broadway.
The quickest way to Central London is by rail into Waterloo, which takes about fifteen minutes with regular services every five minutes.
Wimbledon also has two other tube stations, one like Wimbledon station, is on the district line and this is Southfields, and the other, South Wimbledon station, is on the northern line.
The Tramlink service will take you directly to Croydon and south-east London departing every eight minutes.
Wimbledon is almost equidistant between London Heathrow and Gatwick airports making international travel easy.
