Newton prep parents - where do you live?

[Browns103]

My children will start at Netwon Prep in Y4 and Nursery. We are new to London and are trying to figure out the logistics of where to live and getting them to school. Not keen for to them use morning rush hour tube (esp the younger one who is only 3). Are buses a better option? Limited options within walking distance to school (mainly new-build apartments). Any advice wold be very helpful, thank you!

Not sure if this helps but folk come from all directions for NP - lots Clapham/Wandsworth but also Kennington/Stockwell, Chelsea/Pimlico etc. We didn't want to commute by tube either but it actually works very well (just two stops from Kennington). And NB Battersea Park overground station is just across the road which opens up e.g. Victoria as just 2 min train. Note road traffic is now pretty heavy in the area. If you can afford Battersea itself that could work well, and it's not not all new builds (eg Prince of Wales mansion blocks are nice though high annual charges). I'd try to avoid more than a 15-20 min commute if you can. In an ideal world you'd be somewhere where there is a back up transport option (ie bus, car or bike if tube is down etc).
Congrats on joining Newton tbw - it's a great school and I'm sure your two will love it!

Thank you this is very helpful!

Actually the more I think about it I'd just go with Battersea and save yourself 9+ years of commuting. The park is lovely and brilliant for a young family, you are just across the river from West London, and the tube extension has been a game changer. I'm personally not a fan of the power station development - really quite a corporate/bland luxury store feel - but it does mean a fair bit more on the doorstep than in the past incl a nice new cinema. And you are at the school more than you think one way or another, and you will find with clubs etc yours may not end at the same time either!

We commute to Newton by tube (Kennington to Battersea Power Station). It's actually not too 'rush hour' - you can always get a seat both ways. Lots of construction workers on the tubes at the moment because of all the developments going up but I guess that will change as these complete. The tube is quicker and more chilled than the bus or train, which we used to get (changing at Vauxhall) before the Northern Line extension opened. The previous poster is right that the traffic is unpleasant (but not perceptible once you're on the school grounds), Battersea Park is gorgeous, and Newton itself is fantastic. If you decide against moving to Battersea, Kennington is fairly central and peaceful, we like it a lot.

Thank you Hughh and NewScenesOfJoy - your input has been very helpful (and also very pleased to hear that you are happy with Newton!)

Following this thread! My sons will also start Y4 and Y2 at NP next September. We are really keen on Clapham or Between the Commons, but open to different options as long as the train journey is no more than 2 stops and the area is nice and family friendly.

If you don't want new-build what about the lovely redbrick mansion flats on Prince of Wales Drive, overlooking Battersea Park, e.g.

3 bedroom flat for sale in Overstrand Mansions, Prince Of Wales Drive, London, SW11 (rightmove.co.uk)

Thank you Westfacing for the suggestion, will take a look!