Barnes

[EllaSW]

Hi there. I am considering buying a property in Barnes (specifically, the Little Chelsea area). Is the plane noise as bad as my research so far suggests? Any views or experiences (positive or negative) much appreciated.

I rented a house in Little Chelsea for a year and I do remember plane noise but didn’t think it was exceptional for SW London.

Thanks, Mobear - that’s helpful.

Any other views?

We lived in Mortlake (next to Barnes) for a few years. Our flat was right by to the train line into Waterloo. We did notice the planes but the trains were far louder. We got used to both very quickly though and were pretty good at tuning them out.

Kew is far worse.

I am very close to where you are talking about ( you mean one of the road off of White HArt Lane, yes?). It's fine. I don't even notice them any more.

Thanks, guys.

SlightlyJaded - yes, I’m considering whether to view one just off White Hart Lane, so very near you. Lovely area, albeit expensive (at 1m+ asking prices for small terraced houses, but I suppose that is London!). I’ve been warned by some that aircraft noise can be bad; others tell me it’s not an issue at all...

Unless you're dead set on children getting in Barnes PS I would consider other areas personally. Plane noise you get used to and they do switch runways, you can find the schedule online.

@EllaSW It might be worth looking at East Sheen/ Mortlake. You get more for your money and some areas are very near Barnes. With Hammersmith Bridge out at the moment, Barnes isn't the most convenient of places and it doesn't seem to have suppressed prices in Little Chelsea at all. We recently bought a 1,600 sq ft semi-detached house with a 45" garden in East Sheen, near Richmond Park, for a little more than the asking price on one of those Little Chelsea cottages. I liked living in Little Chelsea, but Barnes is disproportionately expensive.

Thanks, Niseko - may I ask why you would consider other areas instead?

mobear, East Sheen near Richmond Park sounds ideal. I have been keeping an eye our for new properties around there too, but no luck so far. Little Chelsea asking prices do seem absurd, but they also seem to continue to rise!

How lovely you are going to buy in Barnes, I used to rent in Archway Street when I was a teenager. My best friend lived in Thornton Road, East Sheen, and I was able to walk it easily. Good luck with your house hunt!

Thank you, Salome!

@ElleSW When they come onto the market they do tend to go fast. These are a bit closer to Mortlake Station than we are and both went under offer recently but are an indication of what a difference a small amount of distance (less than a mile) can make:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/102489506#/
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/99740312#/

The plane noise is really no bother. Lovely part of London!

@mobear @EllaSW Both those houses are very close to me and you are definitely getting more house for your money than around white hart lane. Also a nicer bit to live in as you have easy access to the shops and restaurants of Sheen/Upper Richmond Road and are in catchment for Thompson House.

White hart lane is nice enough, but walk to the top and you are in a bit of a nomans land. The end of Upper Richmond Road that is opposite the estate so no shops. Walk down and it's lovely of course - but from Sheen (where those houses are) to Richmond Park and the River is five mins plus you have the shops and Mortlake station on your doorstep. I'd pick that bit all day long. and did

Thanks, all. Those who live in Little Chelsea - do you have double or triple glazing?

@SlightlyJaded I see what you mean about Sheen/Mortlake - much more space for the same money. Unfortunately my husband is less keen and quite set on Barnes or Hammersmith. We just need to establish quite how bad (if at all) aircraft noise may be inside!

[quote EllaSW]@SlightlyJaded I see what you mean about Sheen/Mortlake - much more space for the same money. Unfortunately my husband is less keen and quite set on Barnes or Hammersmith. We just need to establish quite how bad (if at all) aircraft noise may be inside! [/quote]
Tell your DH from me that Sheen is definitely nicer than Hammersmith - It's a community, tons of green space (I can be in Richmond Park or by the Thames in five minutes - literally) and there are fantastic schools. Little Chelsea isn't 'Barnes proper' - you need to walk fifteen minute to get into barnes shops etc and you are paying for an SW13 postcode.

If you look at a map, South Worple Way links Sheen/Mortlake, to little Chlesea/White Hart Lane. It's literally one road, but makes a huge difference. You should definitely walk around - I think he will see what i mean.

I think it depends if you want more of a village vibe or a town feel. Sheen is bigger and busier. The upper Richmond Road is due to get more traffic once the ulez comes in because its the boundary and it cuts sheen in half. Mortlake is going to suffer from the brewery development.

Barnes is suffering in a different way - from Hammersmith Bridge being shut. Traffic can be bad through there as well atm. But generally is v quiet. Those streets in little Chelsea go nowhere apart from the school. There are little paths that used to be between the fields that now lead to the other side of Barnes and the pond. People love living there for the river etc which is why the prices stay high. And they get used to the planes...

@SlightlyJaded I'll tell him that!

@friskybivalves We're after a village feel hence looking at Barnes. Suspect it's true what you say re. plan noise. I can't imagine that litte chelsea houses would sell for the prices they do if plane noise were an issue/something you get used to...

@EllaSW It might also be worth having a look around Kew if you’re after a village feel. Houses in Alexandra Road go for around £1m and are not far from the village. They definitely feel bigger than the cottages in Barnes (and have big gardens by comparison) although I’m not sure of the square footage.

@EllaSW I think the problem would be in a falling market the houses in Little Chelsea will be the first to falter as no one will want to pay a premium for prettiness. I’ve been following the area for the last few years and many houses have come up and been taken off again without selling. I think the market has picked up lately but it’s picked up in a lot of places because of Covid-19. If you love it though, you should go for it. It’s a lovely little place (I do miss the short walk to Orange Pekoe!) just not very convenient and expensive for what you get.

We live under the planes. The early ones coming in from the far east are no joke. That's what double glazing is for in a loft conversion... But the rest of the living here more than makes up for it. Like everywhere the independent shops have taken a massive hit from lockdown and we don't know how many will reopen. But quite a few are food shops and they have been able to carry on throughout. Sheen is not a village but is closer to the wonderful Richmond Park and has waitrose. Most residents flit between the two and use the other for whatever they need. Sports kit? Head for sheen sports. Garden centre? Also in sheen. But Olympic Cinema, OSO theatre, Barnes music festival, Barnes fair, food festival, children's lit festival, the famous church second hand bike sale and all the village type stuff and small non chain shops - that's all why people like Barnes.

If it was a toss up between Barnes near the pond/shops and Sheen, Barnes is prettier and more villagey.

But a toss up between Little Chelsea and Sheen/Mortlake - Sheen every time. And Sheen is very pretty in the back streets near hte park - around the Plough etc. We also have Sheen Common, Palewell Park and Sheen Gate into Richmond Park so more Green on the doorstep.

But we're talking about a mile apart so you aren't living in one and forsaking the other. That's why i am saying Sheen/Mortlake borders for schools/green/shops and you can walk to Barnes in no time at all.

@mobear We do love it. Do Little Chelsea properties tend to be hard to sell on, in your experience? Our plan would be to stay but we do of course need to remain conscious of resale potential.

@SlightlyJaded @friskybivalves I think both areas are lovely tbh. The question is likely going to be determined by where the right property comes up first. Plane noise is a tricky one though - it seems not to bother people inside their homes (?), I just wish there were a way to test it out for yourself before buying.