The Microhood: Wimbledon Village

What’s it got that we love?
Decades ago, Wimbledon Village was simply a comfortable backwater. In the past five years, it has become even more sought after as a prime destination for buyers. The reasons are obvious. Central London is within easy reach – from Wimbledon station, it’s 19 minutes by train to Waterloo – and the village itself is perfection, offering easy access to the pleasures of town and country as well as a superb mix of well-kept period properties.

The Wimbledon tennis championships are, of course, what have made this smart suburb world-famous. The village has a distinctly sporty flavour as a result: as well as playing tennis, you can ride at Wimbledon Village Stables – horses can often be seen trotting along the high street – and play golf at the venerable Royal Wimbledon club.

There’s drama for adults at the nearby New Wimbledon Theatre – a handsome slice of Edwardiana – and for children at the Polka Theatre, one of the many reasons the area is popular with families. There is also a keen choice of green spaces: leisure-rich Wimbledon Park, rolling Wimbledon Common and landscaped Cannizaro Park.

Located in southwest London’s “wealth corridor”, Wimbledon Village is a natural place to upsize from Chelsea – and perhaps a staging post on the way to Surrey. But most of those who move here stay: it offers game, set and match.

How’s the shopping?
Excellent – and upmarket. The village is full of smart stores, particularly on the Victorian High Street, where you’ll find Clarendon for fine art, top-notch comestibles at Bayley & Sage and the bustling Wimbledon Village Farmers’ Market. Wimbledon Books is a lively independent store with an ever-changing roster of events.

Hang out at…
Start the day at Demitasse, where coffee and brunch are served in marble-floored glamour. Or try Vallebona, an artisan coffee shop/wine bar/deli that Cory Askew, Savills head of office for Wimbledon, describes as his “favourite place in the village”. Light on the Common is a “great little restaurant” that makes the best of seasonal ingredients, a branch of The Ivy attests to the area’s soigné appeal, and Hemingways is that rare thing, a dog-friendly cocktail lounge. Finally, the Black Lamb leads with fresh British produce and English wines.

The Fox and Grapes on Camp Road is a gastropub with rooms, and you can stop off at the Dog & Fox after a walk on Wimbledon Common. Other popular restaurants include Lebanese-tinged Maison St Cassien, which carries testimonials from tennis stars including Andy Murray, Andre Agassi and Lindsay Davenport; or try 601 Queen’s Rd for brunch. Two cinemas and the Wimbledon Windmill Museum complete the eclectic set.

Where to buy?
Wimbledon Village is bracketed by Mansel Road to the south, Church Road to the east, Bathgate Road to the north and Parkside to the west – where Edwardian mansions can achieve in excess of £10 million.

“For exceptional high-end homes, you’re looking at a dozen roads that come off the Common,” says Askew. “You can find stunning houses, a mixture of period and newly built, and typically detached. These generally come with large gardens.” There are some exceptional developments, too: Grade II* listed Eagle House is a Jacobean building converted into eight apartments.

Wherever you choose to live, there’s an attractive perk in Wimbledon, says Askew. “Around the time of the tennis, a large number of our clients will pack their bags and go on holiday, renting their home out to tennis players, support staff and media people.” 

CORY ASKEW, SAVILLS HEAD OF OFFICE, WIMBLEDON
cory.askew@savills.com

Additional reporting by Mia Aimaro Ogden