Wimbledon, considering moving there, anyone live there?

[Janus]

Hi, we are currently living in Holloway, North London. Although I do actually love it here, made a good circle of friends, etc, it is actually not so good for schools and there is no park within walking distance so I am constantly dragging my daughter in the car, on the bus, on the tube to do things. We are now considering moving and one place we are thinking of is Wimbledon.
Our extensive knowledge (!) involves walking around the village, the common, etc. We now know we cannot afford to live within walking distance of the village (need about another million quid!) but can afford to live on the 'outskirts' but no idea where to start. The areas seem to be Southfields, Wimbledon Park (just about afford), Wimbledon (ie around the town centre), Raynes Park, Merton, etc. I have no idea where to head for though, ie I couldn't see a park in walking distance of the town centre, Raynes Park, etc but maybe it's good for schools?? Is there an area which is good for parks and schools? Is one area maybe better for activities (eg Mother/Toddler groups)?? Don't know where to start really so wonder if any of you live there and give me your opinion??
Thanks.

Janus, there are a few of us here from Wimbledon - Pamina is another. Rest assured there are a lot of parks around - we often head up to Cannizaro Park and the Common from where we live but it is about a 30-40min walk - sad to say we often drive. There is a small park near where we live (South Park), Wimbledon Park of course near Wimbledon Park tube, and there is also a big park (Merton Hall??) near Merton. Various other small playing fields and playgrounds around - one reason we have such a high council tax! We also drive to Richmond Park. I don't know much about schools as DS is too young as yet to have started this, but there are a lot of activities for toddlers - playgroups, Monkey music etc etc. My neighbours seem constantly on the go! I like central Wimbledon because of the transport links and the ease of shopping, but probably all the areas around here are pretty family friendly.

Thanks Florenceuk. Can I just ask, is Wimbledon Park quite nice, does it have a playground area? Also, how long does it take you to drive to Richmond Park and is it easy to park? I quite like the idea of the 'wilds' of Wimbledon Common (for my daughter, fascinated with sticks at the mo!) and having something like Kew Garden (for me!) close by (BTW have you been to Kew and, if so, is it easy to park there?). It's very strange to move the other side of London and I am trying to get my mind into the idea.
Thanks again.

Well, I've only been to Wimbledon Park once, and it was for a firework display so memories are rather hazy. It had a large lake and a big playing field - not sure about a playground area. Richmond Park takes about 20min to drive to, maybe less depending on the traffic on the A3 - we go in through Robin Hood Gate and usually head for Isabella Plantation, but there is a playground area near one of the other Gates - can't remember which one, maybe Kingston? Parking can be a problem on sunny weekends, we find the earlier the better. Or we cycle (well, used to before baby arrived) - takes about 20min through the Common. Do go to Cannizaro, I think it is one of the undiscovered delights of Wimbledon. We have driven to Kew, there is a car park there near Kew Bridge and on Sundays you can park for free on the other side of the railway line and walk over the footbridge to get to Kew. But it can take ages to get there because of the traffic on the South Circular - definitely one for Sundays rather than Saturdays. Actually it takes less time to get to the RHS gardens at Wisley - went there last weekend, took about half an hour down the A3. Sometimes we go to Kingston or Ham House and walk along the river - and Hampton Court is not far away either. We do tend to drive everywhere, especially on the weekends - one of the benefits/curses of suburbia I guess.

Pamina and Floreceuk, thanks so much for your thoughts, it really has helped and I am finally warming to the idea of Wimbledon. It may sound strange Holloway doesn't have a lot to offer itself (nice prison!!!!!!) but I have built up a network of friends, classes to go to, know all the local parks even know my neighbours (!) so I'm finding it hard to leave. However, you do make it sound like there's a hell of a lot more going on for families down in Wimbledon and maybe I could trek up to North London once every couple of weeks to stay in touch with people.
Could I ask, if you had a choice where would you live out of: Southfields, Wimbledon Park, Wimbledon, Merton, Raynes Park??? I am thinking we need to rent to start with to get a feel for the area. My daughter is coming up to 2 so am worried about getting her name down for a school, etc, do you know if you have to live 2 houses down the road (or equally ridiculous) to get in to a good school such as Bishop Gilpin you mentioned Pamina?
Well our house is on the market as of today so I guess we're going to have to make some decisions pretty quick, I'll keep you informed.
Thanks again for taking the time to reply, really appreciate it.

I used to live in Raynes Park and in walking distance of an open space - Canon Hill Common? Sorry my memory is terrible. Anyway go south of the railway and you'll find it. Easy to get to the Isabella plantation in Richmond Park too - used to go there after work. Used to be just in the catchment for Kingston Grammar too - don't know current position. Cheaper than Wimbledon but the trains to London used to be much faster than the tube. Of course some people will think you've dropped off the map when you aren't on a tube line. Still have friends in the children area who would know about at least one primary if you need it? New Malden has a good swimming pool.

I feel quite nostalgic now.

Thanks again. Am trying to get down to Wisley sometime this weekend (am a gardens freak so if my partner had any sense he'd be getting me down there now and I'm sure I'd be convinced we had to move tomorrow!!). In the meantime I'm printing this off to help us in the likely event we move down there. Thanks again, this really has helped.

We live in Wimbledon Park and think it's a great place to bring up a family. The park itself is a huge bonus - as pamina has already said there are two playgrounds, 8 (I think) tennis courts and a paddling pool with water fountains open all summer. There is also an athletic track, big lake (where you can have boating/kayaking lessons) and a cafe that is very popular with local Mums & children.

House prices have come down A LOT - £200,000 cheaper now on our road than the peak a few years ago.

There are many schools around Southfields, in Wimbledon Park the one people talk about is Wimbledon Park Primary. I have no personal experience of it, but neighbours are very happy with the school. I believe it's last Ofsted wasn't great but there's been a big push to bring it back up to previous high standard. Because it's so popular you need to live VERY close to get in, so that might be worth keeping in mind.

Good luck!
Kathryn

Umm, this thread is seven years old?!

WOW im thinking of movin to wimbledon and have stumbled on this thread 9 years to the day it was posted! and annh you posted 7 years to the day it was posted! i have a 2 and a half year old and wonder if these comments still apply today as nearly a decade has passed! if anyone sees this message (which i doubt) i would appreciate it if you could let me know if wimbledon is STILL nice to bring up a child a decade on thanks! xx

I grew up in Raynes Park, went to school and lurked in Wimbledon and would move back there in a heartbeat. Everything written above still stands to my knowledge (parents still live in the area).

I got onto this thread because I saw Wimbledon and didn't notice that it was started so long ago! But gwen is right - all of the above still applies. I'm a teacher and we moved here to be in the catchment area of another 'good' primary. However, I can honestly say that all the primaries are now good, and would have no qualms sending my children to any of the local schools. But you should check them out while you are renting, as you do need to be within the very small catchment areas, if you prefer one to another. There used to be a major move away from Wimbledon around Y3/4 as parents considered the high school options, and did not like them. But the local high schools have improved quite dramatically, and most of my son's year at his primary opted for the local comp Rutlish (boys) and the girls went to the girls comp Ricards Lodge, which is on the other side of Wimbledon in an expensive area (so many of the locals go private). Ricards lodge is quite near to Wimbledon Park - so if you are thinking long-term this may be worth considering.

Mums of Wimbledon Park!

Would like to ask what the sense of community living in Wimbledon park is like for a young family.

We want to move there but have no family near by so wondered what the community and support was like.

thanks

Hi

Moving to London on transfer from India, looking for a good one and half form school in Wimbeldon area.

Please advice, will also need school which includes after school activities.