Focus on Wimbledon property: A game of two halves in SW19
The world’s eyes will make their annual pilgrimage to Wimbledon on Monday, where they’ll spend several hours swivelling backwards and forwards watching the greatest tennis tournament on earth. While this leafy corner of south west London is primarily known for racquet sports, the rest of the year it’s one of the fastest-growing local property markets in the country.
With the greenery of Wimbledon and Richmond parks nearby, a host of good schools and a sophisticated retail offering, it’s perfect for people who say “you wouldn’t even know you’re in London” like it’s a compliment. Young first time buyers are drawn to relatively cheap prices in a nice area with transport links to the City, while families want to be in competitive catchment areas with a community feel.
For this reason, Wimbledon is very much a game of two halves. Wimbledon Village is literally above the town on top of a hill and prices have grown almost twice as fast there; five years ago, the average price in the Village was £1.1m and now it’s just over £2m, according to figures from Hamptons International.
Alex Inskip, sales manager at Kinleigh, Folkard & Hayward Wimbledon says, “There are pockets of quiet residential roads that surround the Village, offering residents more of a quaint country feel, while around the busy town centre, you’ll find the popular bars and restaurants including the likes of Dip & Flip.”
The dramatic price increases have also caught the eye of the international market. “Domestic buyers still dominate,” says Stuart Mills, sales manager of Jackson-Stops & Staff in Wimbledon. “But in the past couple of years they’ve started to rub shoulders with Russian, Indian and Chinese buyers who are seeking a safe investment. The market for £5m plus trophy homes remains very strong and the main market of £2m plus is buoyant, boosted by the threat of mansion tax being removed from the agenda.”
5 reasons to move to Wimbledon
1 You’ll be right in the thick of it for the world’s premier tennis tournament, which gives the area a great buzz.
2 The Fox and Grapes is a smashing pub. Founded by chefs Claude and Cedric Bosi, the food is excellent and the atmosphere is as good as you’ll find.
3 The pastoral Wimbledon Common offers some of the best Sunday strolling options in London, and it has its own listed windmill. Hyde Park doesn’t.
4 It’s on the District Line, which means you can get into the City without changing lines. And as you’re getting on early, you might even get a seat.
5 All recycling in the area is carried out by hard-to-spot creatures called Wombles, which are indigenous to the area.
Private View: On the market in SW19 this week
FAIRLAWNS, WIMBELDON PARKSIDE £1.195m
A two-bedroom apartment is currently on sale in this Grade-II Listed building near Wimbledon Park. Notable features include underfloor heating, air-conditioning and a concierge service. Fun fact: this grand residence used to belong to Sir Edwin Saunders, Queen Victoria’s dentist. For more information contact Jackson-Stops & Staff on
020 8879 0099 visit jackson-stops.co.uk.
RIDGWAY, WIMBLEDON VILLAGE £1.195m
This ground-floor three-bedroom apartment is on sale in the upmarket area of Wimbledon Village. The living room has a bay window, the bedrooms come with ensuite shower rooms, it has a basement for storage, a modern kitchen, a garage and a communal garden. For more information contact Foxtons Wimbledon on
020 8605 2900 or visit foxtons.co.uk.
STROUD ROAD, WIMBLEDON £1.3m
Perfect for a growing family, this five-bedrrom house has been decorated throughout with a balance of period features – such as original wooden floorboards and a feature fireplace – with contemporary interiors. The open-plan kitchen, dining and living room forms the centre of the house and it has a partially-decked garden. For more information contact Douglas & Gordon on 020 8874 8822 or visit douglasandgordon.com.