Cranes Park/Villiers Avenue Area

[sungemasc31]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie here and have been trawling the forums for info on the Cranes Park/Cranes Park Avenue/Cranes Drive/Villiers Avenue area here. We are thinking of putting in an offer on a house there but we are looking to move out from SW London and are a bit apprehensive as this area is very new to us. Any members who live in this zone or can tell us more about the area? We have done a fair amount of walking around and it seems like a pleasant residential pocket but any more info on the kind of people who live here, schools, things to do etc. would be great. Thanks!

Nice area. Would guess the gardens aren't such a great size and being quite hilly not the typical flat rectangle. Good for trains (short walk to Surbiton railway station). Easy walk into Kingston. Loads of things on for children. Would say not any obvious primaries for that area (and there's a lot of pressure on them in this area) and you're on Hollyfield's doorstep so will get lots of those kids walking down hill towards Kingston / home (but they're nice enough kids imo). Would guess you might get playground noise from Hollyfield depending on where you end up. Would expect quite a few students walking though to get to university too depending on where you end up. Villiers Avenue can get clogged up with traffic when the one way system or A3 go wrong. And you may well get lorries from the dump going past on Villiers Avenue. Five (?) years ago the university wanted to put a load of student accomodation up Lower Marsh Lane. Was vetoed, but I bet something'll end up on that side. And they're in the process of redeveloping the old milk depot which looks like it could be quite large when it's done. Both will affect the traffic and schools in the area I'd guess.

Thanks so much, @yomellamoHelly! That's very useful indeed. Another question, if I may - how would you compare this pocket with say, Balaclava Road/St.James Park area or Long Ditton in general?

Sorry Sunge, you're out of my 'niche' now! Only know it from running around that area. Though can say it's very hard to park round that area. Good luck with your search!