Berrylands advice

[RikAudiology]

Hello everyone,

We are looking to relocate to the South west and we’ve seen some potential house in opposite ends of Berrylands. I wanted to get an idea what differentiates the area-

one of the house we saw was on Alexandra Drive right opposite the park. The other one is located on The ridings, furthest away from the station. Both houses need a lot of work, which we are happy with. Alexandra drive is slightly more expensive than ridings, although the houses are roughly the same. Is it located in a better area of Berrylands?
Another place we saw was on Moresby avenue, smaller place, but quite a lot cheaper.

Am I missing something- any help would be appreciated :)

Hi @RikAudiology
The major difference in Berrylands is whether you are nearer Surbiton or Tolworth. Surbiton end is much more favourable, because of the station where you can get a fast train to Waterloo. Berrylands station is closing for refurbishment soon for several months, but even so it is on the slow line which stops everywhere. Surbiton also has a nicer shopping street than Tolworth - think Waitrose and M&S Food as opposed to Iceland and B&M. The K2 bus serves Berrylands and is pretty reliable into Kingston but it's about to have it's service cut so less buses, and it does get pretty busy especially at peak times.

Of the roads you have mentioned Alexandra Drive is by far the better location as if it is where I am thinking it is, it's not on the K2 route but it is in walking distance to the main road where there are more buses into Kingston. But that is reflected in the price, as you say it is more expensive. Moresby Drive is at the other end of Berrylands, and is close to the K2 and also a 15 minute walk to the same bus routes as Alexandra Drive, but being at the Tolworth and A3 end it has a lot more traffic and can get pretty snarled up at busy times. The Ridings is more "central" Berrylands and there really is nothing nearby, other than the K2 to get you anywhere.

It is a lovely area though, very suburban, lots going on and plenty of green spaces nearby. Kingston is lovely near the river, as I am sure you know, and lots of shops. I hope you find your dream home 😊

Hi I’d disagree slightly with the above that there is real “end” of Berrylands, at least within the three roads you’ve posted about. It would probably take about five-10 minutes to walk between them, they are really on top of each other and all serve the same sort of areas. Moresby does not at all get snarled or tangled up with traffic, no idea where that has come from. Maybe a bit busy at school drop off etc (interestingly the neighbours self enforce one side of the road parking there so it’s actually a very pleasant road to drive down!!)
The Ridings and Alexandra have the bigger houses and are probably considered some of the “nicer” roads. The smell in Berrylands has 99.8% gone but on the 0.2% you will smell it in the Ridings. You could conceivably walk to the back entrance of Surbiton station from Alexandra, probably not the others unless you liked a good walk in the morning.
Other premium roads are Pine Walk and Gardens, Chiltern Drive, Berrylands, The Ridge, Kings Drive, Queens Drive where the bigger detached houses are. Berrylands gets a tadge scruffy right down the end of Elmbridge/Warren Drive/Tolworth end of Raeburn, right at the Tolworth end of Beresford. But all the bits in the middle - Grand Avenue/most of Raeburn, Elmbridge and roads between, the Endway circle etc are all absolutely fine and you won’t get traffic noise or smells and it’s all just lots of MC professional families.

Hi OP I would be happy with either of those roads but would personally lean towards The Ridings for being on the K2 route and so close to the station, although I have to say when I am communicating I will walk to Surbiton (about 25 mins from both roads I would say) and get on there. I don't drive though so not as adverse to a walk as some!

If you have kids Alexander park is really good, so being accross from there may be appealing to you. There is also now a sainsburys local on Raeburn avenue which is incredibly useful as before had to walk into Surbiton or Tolworth for a proper shop.

Thank you all for the amazing advice. I think we are edging towards the ridings- mainly because it’s a little bit more affordable and closer to the station.
From what I could tell, both Alexandra drive and Ridings are in good catchment areas for the primary schools- correct?

Yes you’ll be in catchment for both Grand av and Christ church in both.

Alexandra Drive gives you more bus options, if house is opposite the park, you're less than 5 mins walk from bus stops for 281, 418 and 406 which go to station/Kingston/ Epsom, Ridings more limited. Alexandra Drive also gives access to more primary catchments, Christchurch, Tolworth, St Matt's, Limetree, OLI (catholic) and potentially SASM. Also closer to local shops: Coop and small Sainsbury's short walks in opposite directions. Both lovely roads though