Introduction
Internationally famous for its annual tennis tournament, Wimbledon in south-west London has been a popular choice for wealthy families for decades. The vast green expanses of Wimbledon Common (the largest area of common land in the capital) offer an 18-hole golf course, an athletics track and cricket pitches, as well as being hugely popular with joggers, cyclists and equestrians.
The neighbourhood is very popular with families thanks to its close-knit community and the fact that it is home to many Ofsted-rated outstanding state schools, as well as the popular independent schools King’s College and Wimbledon High. The prettiest and largest Victorian villas can be found in the Wimbledon Village area, while Wimbledon town has streets of spacious Twenties and Thirties developments stretching down the hill towards Wimbledon Park.
In July 2024, the Daily Mail selected CopseHill, which runs past Wimbledon Hill Park and where the average house price stands at £2.61 million, as one of the 30 best streets to live on in the UK.
£4.2 million
average detached house price
84%
increase in values since 2008
Property market
Wimbledon is a classic Prime Outer London market and commands high prices for its charming village vibe. “Prices per square foot are comparable to areas like Putney, Fulham or Clapham at around£1,300, especially close to the village,” says James Morrison of Savills. The average detached house in Wimbledon Village will set buyers back around £4.2million, according to Rightmove. As Marc von Grundherr of Benham & Reeves has observed, “buyers continue to pay above and beyond to live within arm’s reach of the world’s most famous and respected tennis venue.”
Since the current house price cycle began in the wake of the 2008 financial crash, property prices in Wimbledon have outperformed both London and the rest of the UK. The average house price inSW19 has grown by 84% since 2008, outpacing 75% growth in outer London more broadly and 55% across the UK. Growth slowed from 2016 onwards, though the area’s enduring appeal with prime central London leavers, particularly during the Covid pandemic, has supported prices over the last five years.
In February 2024, Rightmove announced thatWimbledon had been the most-searched location in London over the previous year, indicating that demand for this neighbourhood is as strong as ever. Wimbledon is very much an area where the focus is on large family houses with benefits such as large gardens and private driveways – the neighbourhood is where many people buy their ‘forever home’. Since 2019, the average price of a house inWimbledon has risen more than three times faster than the average price of a flat(13% versus 4%) and a quarter of the homes sold in Wimbledon last year changed hands for more than £1 million (Hamptons).
London Richmond purchased a stunning semi-detached property in Springfield Road in the golden triangle area ofWimbledon in 2023 for the discounted price of £1.3m. This property has been extended over 1,000square feet and refurbished to a very high end standard. The property is now worth in the region of£3m.
Things to do
The Grand Slam tournament may only come toWimbledon once a year, but it’s always a great place to be a tennis fan. TheWimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum provides an in-depth look at the history of the sport and includes a tour through normally off-limits areas led by a 3D projection of John McEnroe and a collection of vintage tennis whites from across the ages. You can also take a fascinating tour of the famous All EnglandLawn Tennis Club ground led by an expert Blue Badge guide.
The New Wimbledon Theatre offers a year-round programme of musicals, comedy and family entertainment – its annual Christmas panto is a much-loved local tradition. There’s even more for children to enjoy at the Polka Theatre, where you can find world-class theatre to entertain and inspire young audiences aged 0-13, as well as a colourful kid-friendly café, a toy zone and a playground.
In the heart of Wimbledon Park is the hidden oasis of tranquility that is Wat Buddhapadipa, the first Buddhist temple to have been built in the UK and the only Thai temple in London. It sits in four acres of grounds that include an ornamental lake, an orchard and a stunning floral garden. It’s a wonderfully serene place to stroll or sit if you’re in need of some peace and quiet and if the stress of modern life is getting too much you can also drop into one of their regular meditation sessions.
“Wimbledon is a classic Prime Outer London market and commands high prices for its charming village vibe”
Shopping
The hub of Wimbledon’s shopping scene is the charming Wimbledon Village, where it’s easy to forget you’re just 15 minutes from Central London. The independent bookseller Wimbledon Books has been running for 20 years and staff there are never short of a recommendation for a hot new novelist or an under-the-radar classic. If there’s a party or wedding on the horizon, hit Joseph Azagury for elegant, expertly-crafted heels andFrench designer ba&sh for a dress with a dash of Parisian cool. If it’s your home that needs a glow up, there’s Farrow & Ball for paints, Clarendon Fine Art for a stunning painting or limited edition print and Gardenia for lush bouquets of seasonal flowers.
Gastronomes can indulge their senses and stock their cupboards at the many delicatessens and fine wine stores in the village, as well as the weekly Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning. Look out forGalileo Farm organic meat and poultry, seasonal game, goats’ milk and cheese from Ellie’s Dairy, a huge range of fruit and vegetables from Perry Court Farm,Wild Country Organics, Chegworth Valley and Ted's Veg, plus pies, cakes, breads, honeys and more.
For fans of thrifty and sustainable fashion,Wimbledon has lots of excellent charity shops – the St Raphael’s Hospice shop is a real treasure trove and there’s also a Mary’s Living & Giving shop forSave the Children with a fantastic range of carefully selected designer items.Phoenix Style offers some rare finds and classic gems at a higher price point –think Chanel clutches and Rick Owens shearling jackets – all meticulously authenticated.
Pamper and exercise
For fans of luxury fitness and wellness, central Wimbledon has an outpost of Third Space that includes a hot yoga studio and The Yard, a double-height temple to functional training. The 18,000 square feet spa area is particularly luxurious and includes a 15-person hydropool that can give you a silk flow hydrotherapy waterfall massage to soothe away the stresses and strains of the day. There’s also a 25-metre swimming pool with crystal clear UK-filtered water, a cold plunge pool and two types of sauna.
A more affordable option is Spa Experience, a bright, modern day spa inside Wimbledon Leisure Centre. The thermal area is set in the historic bath house, which has high, airy ceilings and is bathed in light from its large windows. There’s a raised Jacuzzi, a tepidarium bench, a hammam, a sauna, an ice fountain and experience showers. You can book in for their traditional thermal therapies and they also offer a small range of facials and massages.
Opportunities for outdoor exercise abound, with plentiful green spaces like Wimbledon Common and Cannizaro Park providing scenic spots for walking, running and cycling. Wimbledon Park, which is right next door to the All England Lawn Tennis Club, offers tennis courts (of course), an athletics track, play areas, a paddling pool and adventure golf.
Dine
The Dog & Fox in the heart of WimbledonVillage is very much the place to be during the summer tennis tournament, when fans flock to its semi-covered beer garden after a long, hard day drinking Pimms and eating strawberries and cream. The rest of the year it’s a little quieter, though still very popular with the locals for its ever-changing menu of seasonal delights and its killer spritzes
Al Forno on Kings Road is everything you want from a neighbourhood Italian – a happy, buzzing atmosphere, crisp arancini with molten centres and fresh pasta to die for. The tagliatelle with veal ragu and the gnocchi with gorgonzola are stand-out dishes. Their pizzas are all delicious, generously topped and made from scratch in their huge brick oven.
At Hemingways, the food takes a backseat to the cocktails, with expert mixologists turning out classic daiquiris and some of the bar’s signature inventions. The Village Frosé (gin, cucumber, elderflower, lime and fizz) is delightfully refreshing while the Nordic, with flavours of juniper and grapefruit, is a European twist on the gin and tonic.Their food menu is low-key but reliably good, including brunch classics like shakshuka and a concise list of stone-baked pizzas.