Wandsworth, London
Wandsworth is a district of southwest London.
Understand
Wandsworth consists largely of modest housing built as suburban retreats in the 19th century, interspersed with a patchwork of green "commons", a relic of the borough's history as small villages. Today the smart houses, cafes and bars close to the expansive green lung of Clapham Common are popular with young professionals working in the City, whilst cosmopolitan Tooting is home to a large South Asian community. Some of the smartest and newest developments are to be found along the riverfront in Putney and Battersea, where shiny apartment blocks rub shoulders with the industrial shell of the famous power station.
Get in
Map of London/Wandsworth
By tube
The district is serviced by the following tube stations, in either Zone 2 or Zone 3:
- Clapham Common (Northern line) (Zone 2)
- Clapham South (Northern line) (Zone 2)
- Tooting Broadway (Northern line) (Zone 3)
- Tooting Bec (Northern line) (Zone 3)
- Balham (Northern line) (Zone 3)
- East Putney (District line) (Zones 2 & 3)
By train
- 1 Clapham Junction. A major station on south London routes and a huge number of services pass through there including from London Waterloo (SouthWest Trains), London Victoria (Southern Railway), West London (London Overground) and various destinations in suburban South London and the South and Southwest of England. Many London bus routes also operate through the Clapham Junction area.
- Tooting Thameslink goes to Holborn Viaduct and Wimbledon, and direct to Luton Airport. There is also a proposed tram link. Trains can be caught at Tooting, Wandsworth Common and Balham stations.
- Trains leave London Waterloo for Putney every 10 minutes and the journey takes around 20 minutes.
By bus
- Putney is connected by bus from the following areas:
- South Kensington, Knightsbridge and Hyde Park (Bus 430, Bus 14, Bus 74).
- Clapham Junction (Bus 39, Bus 337, Bus 37). Victoria Station (Bus 170). Earl's Court (Bus 74).
- Bus 14 also connects Putney with Oxford Street area (Warren Street, Goodge Street, Tottenham Court), West End (Piccadilly Circus) and Buckingham Palace area (Green Park). Bus 220 connects Putney with Hammersmith and Sheperd's Bush. Bus N10 is a night bus that connects Putney with King's Cross Station and Euston Station.
Get around
See
- 1 Wandsworth Park, Putney Bridge Road. This 19-acre riverside park was opened by London County Council in 1903 on land which was previously allotments. The park is replete with a putting green, small cafe, cricket pitch and tennis courts. The park is home to 350 species of trees and the riverside promenade is lined with London Plane trees which provide shade and beautiful views across the river.
- 2 Battersea Park (tube: Sloane Sq CIR DIS and then a 15-min walk over Chelsea Bridge), mike@batterseapark.org. A lovely park on the southern banks of the Thames known or its wildlife and some splendid examples of mature trees.
- 3 Battersea Power Station. One of the great icons of the old smog-filled London of the mid 20th century and regarded as a fine example of industrial design of the art deco era. This coal-fired power station generated its last electricity in 1983 and now sits empty as a protected Grade II listed building. Several development plans have been considered and turned down amid much controversy. In many ways best viewed from a distance on the north side of the Thames at Chelsea.
- 4 Clapham Common (tube: Clapham Common NOR ). This large open space in densely built Wandsworth has been a source of comfort to Londoners for time immemorial. The common is roughly triangular shape with an area of 88 hectares. It is mostly open grassy parkland with scattered mature trees. There are three ponds here which are notably popular with local fisherman. The Grade II listed bandstand was fully restored in 2006.
- 5 London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes (tube: Hammersmith CIR DIS H&C PIC , then bus 283; or bus 33 from Richmond), ☏ +44 20 8409-4400, info.london@wwt.org.uk. Substantial nature reserve on the old disused Barn Elms Reservoirs. A major wetland habitat for wintering wildfowl and an excellent choice for any keen birders visiting London, and an entertaining place for kids to learn about nature £4.50-8.13.
- 6 St. Mary's Church, Battersea Church Rd, Battersea, ☏ +44 20 7228-9648, office@stmarysbattersea.org.uk. One of the oldest churches in Battersea, this church is where Christians have worshiped at the same site since 800 AD. It is protected as a Grade I listed building with its combination of heritage and architectural merit.
- 7 Wandsworth Museum, 38 West Hill, Wandsworth, SW18 1RZ, ☏ +44 20 8875-8323, contact@wandsworthmuseum.co.uk. A modest museum covering local history which relocated in 2010; has an excellent cafe.
Do
- 1 Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn St, SW4 0AT (tube: Clapham Common NOR ), ☏ +44 20 7498-3323. Repetory/arthouse cinema with a very varied programme.
- Easy Peasy Skate (Battersea Pk). Sa 10:30AM. For absolute beginners.
- 2 Putney Arts Theatre, Ravenna Rd, SW15 6AW, ☏ +44 20 8788-6943. Comes recommended for anyone interested in anything to do with theatre. They run drama courses for adults and children and around eight shows a year are produced by adults and children alike. Putney Theatre company offers opportunities for anyone interested in any type of theater work from acting to writing to set design. Group 64 is the youth drama group for kids, they run weekly classes, holiday projects but also put together shows.
- Putney Leisure Centre, Dryburgh Rd, SW15 1BL, ☏ +44 20 8785-0388. All-year warm swimming pool and sauna session. £4.
- Putney Walk. Starts at Putney Rail Station, passing historical houses, old pubs, a cemetery, the Embankment, etc.
- Thames Path. Start from Embankment St. If you feel energetic, from Embankment street walk south to Lower Richmond Rd via Festing Rd (a road of cute little white houses). Continue walking to the west until you reach Barnes Village.
- Tooting Bec Common. A real gem, with tennis courts, football fields and plenty of open space. Sports facilities include Tooting Leisure Centre and Pool, golf, horse riding, Tooting Bec Lido (the biggest open air pool in the UK), athletic track and the nearby Streatham Ice Rink.
- 3 Tooting & Mitcham United Football Club, Imperial Fields, Bishopsford Rd, Mitcham, SM4 6BF (tube: Morden NOR , buses 280, 118, 201, Mitcham tram stop), ☏ +44 20 8648-3248. The 'Stripes' are a football club based at Imperial Fields. They play in BetVictor Isthmian League South Central Division and normally play their league games on Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. The club has a café/bar with real ale and with big screen TV (Sky Sports) and has a gym. Adult £10, concession £5.
- 4 Barry Louvaine - Tattoo Shop (House of Living Art), 412 Garratte Lane, Earlsfield, ☏ +44 20 8946 6840, mail@barrylouvaine.com. 11AM-6PM. They are the House of Living Art founded by Barry Louvaine in 1974 and tattooing here in Earlsfield ever since. They uphold the traditions of a classic tattoo shop whilst providing both modern and traditional tattoo artwork, sterile vegan inks and hospital grade hygiene.
Buy
- 1 Clapham Junction (An area near the busy Clapham Jct Railway Stn). Good selection of shops including high street chains, supermarkets and department stores, complimented by bars, cafes and restaurants. Nearby Northcote Road has many independent shops and a Saturday market for organic food, an indoor antiques market[1], arts and crafts, etc and was voted London's second favourite shopping street.
- Putney High Street. Shopping, also international and British dining experience.
- Tooting and Broadway Markets, Tooting High St, SW17 0RJ (tube: Tooting Broadway NOR ). Provide a varied and interesting selection, including fruit and vegetables, clothes, furniture and household items.
Eat
There are two eating 'hubs' in the Wandsworth borough. St Johns Hill and Battersea Rise near Clapham Junction have an excellent range of restaurants, with new ones opening all the time - very popular with the young professionals who flock here after work. For the tourist looking to escape the overpriced horrors of central London this is a good, easy-to-reach option. The second hub is Tooting, which has many excellent Indian restaurants, however the area doesn't really compare to Brick Lane.
Budget
- The Bertie and Boo Coffee Shop, 162 Balham High Rd (tube: Balham), ☏ +44 20 8772-9987. Cheerful, quirky coffee shop serving freshly made sandwiches and cakes. Free wifi.
- Chanteroy Delicatessen, 233a Wimbledon Park Rd (Tube: Southfields), ☏ +44 20 8874-1446. Daily 8AM-8PM. A small delicatessen offering primarily French breads, meats and cheeses. Fresh filled baguettes are made to order and there is often a queue out the door. The staff are all native French speakers. £1.50-3.
Mid-range
- Cafe Rouge, 200-204 Putney Bridge Rd. French chain restaurant. As the location is a bit hidden it is often quiet, ideal for a romantic dinner for couples.
- Dosa 'n' Chutney (Near to Tooting Broadway underground on Upper Tooting Rd and close to the border with Collier's Wood). Large restaurant.
- Gourmet Burger Kitchen, 333 Putney Bridge Rd. Gourmet burger, a favorite for many. Try the venison sausage, sweet potato and rocket leaves burger, an awesome mix of sweet and savory. Wagamama is a nearby if you fancy something Asian slightly cheaper. Meal for 2 £25.
- The Indian Restaurant, 197-199 Replingham Rd (tube: Southfields), ☏ +44 20 8870-1483. A very good Indian restaurant. More a restaurant that does Indian food than your traditional curry house. The owner is very friendly, passionate about her food and always happy to help you order. Starters £4-7, main courses £8-15.
- Lahore Karahi, 1 Tooting High Street, SW17 0SN (tube: Tooting Broadway), ☏ +44 20 8767-2477. Daily 11:0AM-midnight. BYO, Halal. Pakistani restaurant serving great food at decent prices, albeit in very basic premises with cheap furnishing. No alcohol is served but you can bring your own at no charge. A meal for two is about £30.
- Ma Goa, 242-244 Upper Richmond Rd. Indian, has won various awards for its fine Indian cuisine.
- La Mancha. Some of the best Tapas outside of Spain.
- Mirch Masala, 213 Upper Tooting Rd (tube: Tooting Broadway), ☏ +44 20 8672-7500. Noon-midnight. BYO, Halal. This place would not win points for interior design, but despite the canteen-style furnishings you have the advantage of an open kitchen, so you can see exactly what they are doing to your food. The staff are numerous, fast and friendly, and you are barely sat down before a plate of poppodoms appear in front of you like magic. The menu caters very well for vegetarians, but still offers plenty of lamb, chicken and fish dishes, all generous portions and very reasonably priced.
- Preto @ Putney, Brazilian steakhouse, with a great-value buffet (£17 with meat cooked to your liking).
- Radha Krishna Bhavan, 86 Tooting High St (tube: Tooting Broadway), ☏ +44 20 8767-3462. Daily noon-3PM, 6-11PM. Fully licensed. The decor is charmingly eccentric, which just means it is a bit bonkers. Sunset palm trees on the walls and large masked figures glare back at you. The specialty here is South Indian (unlike Brick Lane which is mainly Bangladeshi), so you may discover plenty of dishes you have never heard of before. The poppodoms have some very tasty dips and every dish is very cheap for London, meaning you can try loads of different dishes between a large group. Highly recommended. Starters £2.50, mains £5-6.
- Thai Girder, 36 Replingham Rd (tube: Southfields), ☏ +44 871 971 7344. A Thai restaurant with an iron girder running through the middle of the place.
Splurge
Various restaurants and bars in Putney Wharf area. Just behind the St Mary's Church.
- Chez Bruce, 2 Bellevue Rd, SW17 7EG, ☏ +44 20 8672-0114, fax: +44 20 8767-6648. Michelin star restaurant serving Modern European cuisine. Despite the award, unpretentious, great food and service; situated across the road from Wandsworth Common. £52.
- Thai Square, Putney Bridge, 2-4 Lower Richmond Rd. Thai bar/restaurant. Good, if expensive food, impressive decor, great view of the Thames river.
Drink
Balham
- The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill. Famed for the comedy and live music in the large galleried back room
Clapham
Clapham has many upmarket pubs and bars, particularly around the northeast area of the Common
Tooting
Tooting has many new wine bars, and renovated and traditional pubs.
- Lahore, Upper Tooting Rd. Favoured by the Good Food Guide and many other awarding bodies. Serving Pakistani cuisine.
- The Selkirk (formerly The Frog Forget Me Not), Selkirk Road.
- Yars Village, Mitcham Rd (Opposite Smith Brothers Dept Store). Cafe style Indian food, cooked fresh with an open kitchen. Great food served by attentive waiters, BYO alcohol.
Putney
Putney is blessed with a fine selection of pubs. Among the most atmospheric are the ones on the river bank.
- Boathouse, 32 Brewhouse Ln (In Putney Wharf area).
- The Bricklayers Arms, 22 Waterman St. Rated 3rd best pub in England 2012 by National Geographic. Traditional style pub with an eclectic clientele, well-kept beers, no TV, and no food.
- The Coat & Badge, 10 Lacy Rd. The old-world outward appearance of this pub (established 1715) belies an interior that is distinctly modern. This Putney pub packs in a sizeable crowd of trendy locals, keen to enjoy the attentive service, good pub grub and a wide choice of wines and beers.
- Duke's Head, 8 Lower Richmond Rd. A Lovely gastropub with great views on and along the river. A regular for locals.
- Moomba Bar & Kitchen, 5 Lacy Rd. Moomba has been a long term fixture on the Putney food and drink scene. It enjoys rave reviews for its stylish decor, gorgeous menus and friendly service.
- The Rocket fancy-dan Wetherspoons right on the waterfront next to Putney Bridge.
- The Slug and Lettuse, 146-148 Putney High St. The pub has a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere with comfy chairs and pleasant surroundings. They also serve a variety of modern food. Catering for vegetarians is provided.
- The Spotted Horse, 122 Putney High St. Described as the oldest pub on the high street, a refurb has made this local the new kid on the block. Thankfully, the local charm and hospitality remains.
Battersea
- Adventure bar, 91a Battersea Rise, ☏ +44 20 7223-1700. Cocktail bar with daily happy hour.
Sleep
- Brewers Inn Wandsworth, 147 East Hill, SW18 2QB, ☏ +44 20 8874-4128, brewersinn@youngs.co.uk. A Youngs' pub with rooms. Full English breakfast included. £120.
- Flexistay ApartHotel Tooting, Thirsk Rd, CR4 2BD (tube: Tooting Broadway), ☏ +44 20 7828-1526. Budget serviced apartments. Single and double studios available. nightly, weekly an monthly rentals. £350 per week.
- Holiday Inn Express Wandsworth, Smuggler's Way SW18 1EG, ☏ +44 870 7201298. The usual Holiday Inn Express set up.
- The Lodge Hotel London, 52-54 Upper Richmond Rd, Putney, ☏ +44 20 8874-1598. Situated in a great central London location, this three star Best Western hotel is both high quality and affordable.
Connect
Go next
| Routes through Wandsworth |
| END ← Wimbledon ← | W  E
|
→ Hammersmith and Fulham → Westminster / Mayfair-Marylebone |
| Leicester Square / The City ← Lambeth ← | N  S
|
→ Wimbledon → South London |
| North London ← Fulham ← West London Line ← | N  S
|
→ West London Line → END |
| END ← East London Line ← | W E
|
→ East London Line → Lambeth → East End |
| Routes through Wandsworth |
| The City ← Lambeth ← | NE  SW
|
→ Wimbledon → Kingston-upon-Thames |