Introduction
Located on the south bank of the River Thames between Fulham and Wimbledon, Putney is a wealthy neighbourhood filled with handsome period properties and cosy pubs and cafes. Despite being a mere 16 minutes by train from London Waterloo, Putney has a fresh countryside feel thanks to its riverside position and the sprawling green spaces of Putney Common, Wandsworth Park and Putney Heath. The overground from Putney Station runs to Waterloo and there are two District Line tube stations – East Putney and Putney Bridge – that also take you over the bridge into Fulham and Chelsea and then onwards into central London.
Residents can take their pick from several excellent state and private schools. Our Lady of Victories, Hotham Primary School and Brandlehow Primary School are some of the most popular choices for children up to the age of 11. There are several private schools within the area, including The Falcons and Hurlingham prep schools and Putney High for girls at secondary level. Putney is also a popular choice for families seeking proximity to the leading schools of West London like St Paul’s and St Paul’s Girls. And of course, you will see Putney on the television every year, as it is the start of the Oxford v Cambridge boat race and home to most of London’s top rowing clubs.
£752,000
average property prices
£1.6 million
average price of a semi-detached house
Property market
There is a real mix of property here, from impressive Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian houses to 1930s mansion flats and contemporary developments along Upper Richmond Road. There is enough variety for buyers here to stay local as they move up and down the property ladder.
Properties in Putney had an overall average price of £751,781 over the last year as of December 2024 – flats made up the bulk of sales, selling for an average price of £514,995. Terraced properties sold for just under £1.1 million and semi-detached properties fetched just over £1.6 million. Prices in Putney have dipped in the last few years and are currently 11% below the 2022 peak, meaning that now is an excellent time to snap up investment properties here.
London Richmond own a stunning and very large property on Montserrat Road in the heart of Putney, just a few minutes’ walk from the high street and the river. The property is being converted into 2 separate houses that will hold a combined size of over 4,000 square feet once completed, with a valuation close to £4m.
Things to do
The Half Moon near Putney Bridge is one of London’s most iconic small music venues and has been showcasing up-and-coming stars since the 1960s. U2’s first sellout UK concert took place here, as did Kate Bush and KD Lang’s first appearances. Throughout the 1970s Elvis Costello famously played a couple of times a month in return for fifty pence and a plate of sandwiches! As well as their expertly chosen programme of new music gigs they also host lots of excellent comedians (and pour a very good pint).
Inside an atmospheric Victorian church on Ravenna Road one finds Putney Arts Theatre, home to Putney Theatre Company and Group 64 Youth Theatre. This is a thriving community theatre with an amazing atmosphere and an eclectic programme of productions, and Group 64’s drama camps and weekend classes for children and young people have ignited the passions of many future professional thespians.
For a breath of fresh air, why not follow the mile-long Putney Sculpture Trail, which runs along the river between Leaders Gardens and Prospect Quay. Dotted along the way are nine large figurative sculptures by British sculptor Alan Thornhill, each with a map at its base showing the location of the others. Or go for a wander along the protected wildlife corridor between Putney Lower Common and Putney Heath, where the eagle-eyed can see hedgehogs, kestrels and kingfishers.
“There is enough variety for buyers here to stay local as they move up and down the property ladder”
Shopping
Putney Exchange Shopping Centre blends a nice range of well-known high street brands like Waitrose, Waterstones and H&M with a surprisingly hip mix of independent retailers. Aigoo (which means ‘wow’ in Korean) offers a curated collection of quirky and handmade goods from all over the world, including clothing, accessories and stationery. But the shop’s main draw is its range of Korean skincare and cosmetics, many of which are cult products made famous by the K-Beauty trend. Some of them are a bit off the wall – think lotions made with snail excretions and bee venom – but all are renowned for getting fantastic results. Ben & Lola sells aesthetically pleasing, high-quality clothing and classic wooden toys for children up to 8 years old – their focus is mostly Scandinavian but they also stock some beautiful English and French brands.
For more Nordic retail inspiration, head to Blåbär on Lacy Road, a warm and welcoming space scented with pine candles and freshly baked cardamom and cinnamon buns from the on-site cafe. The store, generously spread over two floors, showcases a lovely range of homeware and accessories and their friendly staff (most of whom are actually Scandinavian) are always happy to advise on the perfect gift.
And for craft beer fans, the award-winning Ghost Whale on Upper Richmond Road stocks over 500 outstanding craft beers, from pale ales to double IPAs, sour beers to Imperial Stouts and everything in between. There’s an ever-changing selection available on tap and they stock cans and glass bottles for filling, or you can bring your own along.
Pamper and exercise
Putney residents take full advantage of the plentiful green spaces, riverside areas and bracing breezes of their delightful suburb, with lots of options for outdoor exercise. There are cricket pitches on Putney Heath and Barnes Common, a bowling green and clubhouse on the west side of Putney Lower Common and All Star Tennis Coaching at Leaders Gardens and Wandsworth Park – the latter also offers the opportunity for a round of mini golf at Putt in the Park. For those who prefer to take to the water, the Hurlingham Yacht Club near Putney Bridge is as friendly and down-to-earth as they come. Boating beginners are welcome and there are regular social events in the clubhouse and flotillas on the river. There’s also the Putney Sub-Aqua Club for diving enthusiasts and those keen to learn. They have their own dive boat for club trips on the Thames and expeditions around the South Coast to find wrecks and other marine areas of interest.
If all that sounds rather too energetic, head to The Escape London spa and beauty salon, which has been a Putney institution since 1988. Offering high-quality treatments using products by Clarins, Guinot and Saint Tropez as well as manicures and pedicures, its six treatment rooms are always busy with residents getting massaged, buffed and polished to perfection. Make sure to build in enough time to enjoy their relaxation lounge, which is fully stocked with fresh robes, towels, magazines and refreshments to ensure you emerge back into the world in a state of complete tranquility.
Dine
As one might expect from an area filled with salubrious young professionals and well-heeled families, Putney is very well-served for dining options with excellent coffee and brunch spots, incredible sushi restaurants and some fantastic gastropubs. Grab a perfectly crafted flat white from the Ground Coffee Society then stroll up past Putney Bridge to cycle cafe The Dynamo for chorizo hash, avocado toast with feta and dukkah or blueberry pancakes. At lunchtime they make excellent pizzas named after cycling routes – try the ‘Sa Calobra’ with Italian sausage, fennel salami and pistachio.
The Japanese cuisine offering is notably strong around here – Sushi54, Tomoe and The Sushi Company are firm local favourites. The latter is open until midnight on Thursdays and until 2am at the weekends, perfect for those with a late night hankering for a spicy tuna uramaki or as a post-party treat.
Many of the best of Putney’s pubs are to be found along the river. The Duke’s Head is a handsome Victorian pub with historic interiors that have been sympathetically refurbished and a wonderful selection of real ales. Step downstairs for The Rowing Club for a moodier vibe and great cocktails. The Boathouse is a fun and easygoing pub with gorgeous views over the water and a menu of hearty classics like steak with triple-cooked chips and seaweed butter and braised lamb shoulder shepherds pie. And The Spotted Horse now boasts a stunning rooftop terrace covered with ivy and ferns – it’s a real sun trap in summer and heated and covered in the winter for year-round al fresco fun.