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Original poster

Plane noise in SW London

59 replies

lostlondoner · 17/12/2019 11:18

I know the plane noise over Barnes, Kew, East Sheen, St Margs and Richmond Green is bad. If you live there does it bother you?
And are areas like Wimbledon, Teddington and Hampton Court any better?
Considering moving to this area for decent schools at primary and secondary but wondering if the plane noise would be too bad as we'd want to stay there long term. Would prefer the top three areas as the commute better but if the noise is considerably better in other places we might look there instead.

OP posts:
JoJoSM2 · 17/12/2019 11:41

It’s all very individual. Last time I visited friends in Barnes we sat outside. I felt we needed to pause our conversation every minute and needed an Ibuprofen after an hour. However, they’ve happily lived there for years and don’t seem to notice the planes at all. Going by houses prices in that area, they aren’t the only ones.

PhilippaFawcett · 17/12/2019 11:48

We live in Kew and after the first week or so have barely noticed the noise of the planes. I know people who are bothered by it though so I guess it depends on your sensitivity.

TheFlis12345 · 17/12/2019 11:55

I have lived that way a lot and it only really bothered me when we were in a flat with crap windows, then the early planes sometimes woke me up.

rachelinindia · 17/12/2019 12:02

It is bad but you do get used to it.

If the windows are open or you're outside and directly underneath the flight path it's very noisy.

It's the only downside to that part of SW London

Yashiksan · 17/12/2019 12:09

I lived on North Road in Kew for a few years. In winter, with closed windows plane noise didn't get much to me. But in summer, when it was hot and you wanted to sleep with an opened window, it was a bit tough at times. Since 5 am planes over head and trains outside of the house did annoy a lot

JoJoSM2 · 17/12/2019 12:12

Oh, re the other areas - Wimbledon Village is a bit bad but not as bad as Barnes or Richmond and better for commuting. No Westland Centre, Kew Gardens and the river, though. From memory, Teddington is better but a much longer commute.

TheReturnoftheSmartArse · 17/12/2019 12:12

No plane noise in Wimbledon. Or if there is, it's negligible, because I've never noticed it. Parts of Richmond are awful though: we once viewed a house which I loved until I went into the garden and a plane went over, about 50 feet over my head!

FreeButtonBee · 17/12/2019 12:13

I was in Richmond Park recently and was surprised at how little plane noise there was. It was a Sunday though and I suppose it depends on the wind direction and weather etc

JoJoSM2 · 17/12/2019 12:14

But anyway, you get some plane noise anywhere in London and the commuter belt. The only places I’ve worked out not to suffer any are central Crawley and Bexhill...
It’s just about working out how much noise you can live with.

TheReturnoftheSmartArse · 17/12/2019 12:14

Is Wimbledon Village bad, JoJo? My DSis lives there and I've never noticed it, to be honest, despite many a pleasant hour sitting in her garden quaffing her finest wine!

Puffthemagicdragongoestobed · 17/12/2019 12:15

We used to live in Petersham when I was a teen. When we watched TV with the patio doors open we couldn’t hear the TV any more when a plane went over. I was able to spot our house from a plane on more than one occasion.
Having said that we got used to it and didn’t really mind. Still have fond memories of watching (and hearing) the Concorde blasting over. Now that was loud (and sensational every single time)!

JoJoSM2 · 17/12/2019 12:20

@TheReturnoftheSmartArse

Yep. You can wave to the pilot in Wimbledon Village. They fly quite low (still higher than further west obvs). I pop into Wimbledon Village every so often and certainly notice it.

But yes, people just get used it and there’s nowhere to escape plane noise completely.

BIWI · 17/12/2019 12:22

Plane noise in Wimbledon is completely bearable! I'm not in the village, so can't comment on whether or not it's worse up there (but I doubt it's as bad as in the other areas you mention)

JoJoSM2 · 17/12/2019 12:40

webtrak.emsbk.com/lhr4

That’s where the plane tracker for Heathrow is. There will also be reports on wind direction as the flight paths will change. The areas with reallly bad noise also have some ‘respite’ plans in place.

Alternatively, you could just not think about it unless you know you’re particularly sensitive to noise.

Twickerhun · 17/12/2019 12:42

teddington can be quite bad as you can be right under take off routes. Hampton court is ok. Wimbledon is fine. It depends exactly where you are in each borough though. But you do get used to it!

Original poster
lostlondoner · 17/12/2019 13:47

Thanks. I'm just not sure if it would bother me or not. I've visited a lot and even stayed overnight in Richmond and I can't say I noticed it much but perhaps I stayed on a day which wasn't so bad. I've had an ex who lived in Kew and I remember noticing the early planes though I don't think he had double glazing. And I was a work a lot whereas now I'd be on the region a lot more as would the kids.

OP posts:
asomodai · 17/12/2019 14:24

Lived in Southfields for 3 years and the plane noise wasn't bad at all.

JoJoSM2 · 17/12/2019 16:50

You could always see if you can stay in the area for a few days. If it’s likely to bother you, you’d know it within 2-3 days. I also think it’s more perceptible/bothersome if you’re somewhere otherwise quiet, like a park. If you’re in the hustle and bustle, it won’t be that noticeable.

Waterdropsdown · 17/12/2019 17:05

I was worried about this before we moved here after a few comments from people and buy honestly after a while you really do not notice it. It’s certainly never woken me up.

CatAndHisKit · 18/12/2019 00:55

OP, they do vary the fly paths daily, so go and view a particular street/house on differrent days.
I stay in Battersea a lot and am bothered by planes starting to fly at 5am - but that's not every day due to variation as mentioned. OK if window double glazed and closed but an issue in the summer. Teddington is the least noisy of the aeras mentioned.
JoJo, North London is very good (Hampstead, highgate etc) - hardly any plane noise!

Thaddea · 18/12/2019 05:45

We've lived in the area in four different houses, and the past few moves have been with distance to the flight track in mind. Note that there are two tracks, they alternate. So when you are viewing, do be aware of what is happening that day. They start at 5.15 every morning.

The flight paths may be changing in 2021, to do with Heathrow promises, not just expansion, so may happen even if the third runmay doesn't get approved. Do check!

Double glazing helps a lot, triple even better.

JoJoSM2 · 18/12/2019 08:26

@CatAndHisKit Maybe planes are higher up in Hampstead so it’s less perceptible?

I don’t know what the outcome of the latest consultation is/will be but looks like Heathrow might put about about 47 planes per hour over Hampstead from next year.

Original poster
lostlondoner · 18/12/2019 08:58

I'm off there today to see, and will try and book in three days over Xmas to see if can bear it.

Interesting/worrying about Hampstead way. That's our alternative. Had no idea.

OP posts:
Original poster
lostlondoner · 18/12/2019 11:19

Wimbledon fine
Now in Barnes and can't hear a thing! I must have come on a good day Grin

OP posts:
Svalberg · 18/12/2019 11:37

They're on Easterlies! You need to visit when they're on Westerlies, which is about 70% of the time

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