London villages - which areas do you think belong on this list?

[Londonlondon6]

I’m looking for a new area of London and, as our search goes on, I realise I also want charm.

I know of Dulwich village (although I am yet to visit!), Victoria Park Village, and Hampstead… where else do you think belongs on the list?

Parsons Green

Just came back on to say Parsons green

Another vote for Wimbledon Village

Wimbledon Village and Barnes proper. But how on earth can someone say Clapham Junction?!

I agree. What's wrong with calling them neighbourhoods?
The irony is that most Londoners don't want to live in a village in a rural area so why the pretence?

I used to live in Barnes in the late 70's, it definitely had a village feel then.

That's a valley,surely? 😉

Highgate

I must tell DM that forest gate is a village, she grew up there and would be astounded 😂

Victoria Park village and Walthamstow village. I've lived in both a recommend! A definite community feel and identity in both.

Definitely depends on budget and how far out.

Canonbury
Primrose Hill
Barnsbury
Highgate
Crouch End
Area around Northcote Road in Clapham
Area around Bellevue Road in Wandsworth
Kensal Rise
Brondesbury
Wimbledon Village

Barnes is probably the most village like so long as you live in the villagey bit and not the rows of suburbia. Clapham Old Town where Vivienne Westwood lived is villagey. Nappy valley if you have tinies and can then get them into Honeywell primary school.

It depends on what you mean by village - if you want a green, nice shops and places to eat then Barnes. If you want a neighbourly community then you need to look at areas with active residents associations which might look very different

It's a figure of speech. Don't worry noone's coming for your non existent transport and Tory neighbours.

I've never understood London having villages. I expect it was from hundreds of years ago and modern London has been crammed it around them.

I had a work colleague who would purposely take me to visit villages in London when we were there. I couldn't ever tell the difference between normal London and villages in London. It's all so congested, busy and urban.

I live in a rural village with no street lights and only trees surrounding us. It's many miles of green fields and woodland to the next one.

To me personally, London villages are confusing.

Wimbledon
Barnes
Richmond
Greenwich
Clapham Old Town
Parsons Green
Highbury Fields
Highgate

These, I think, are all original Georgian villages that have since expanded and been swallowed by London. Often have a variety of housing and higgledy piggledy streets around a green space.

Other areas which were never Georgian villages afaik but have similar feel, usually Victorian roads based around a naice high street and/or green area:

Abbeville
Northcote
Lordship Lane
Queens Park
East Sheen
Chiswick
Crouch End
London Fields

Obviously none bears any resemblance to a rural village, but you knew that.

No village area in Clapham...just a high st with dodgy teens in hoodies....also victoria park...grew up there...a few over priced pubs and delis....now we live in walthamstow village...ironically cos it was super cheap years ago and the shops were boarded up and pubs full of dealers....we will cash in big time when we move out....now its full of annoying yuppy types who talk loudly about ballet and montessorri etc....so annoying....and over priced cafes....i wish it had never changed...apart from the house prices rocketing !!

Not an actual village, I suppose, in Clapham. But I liked the sort of crescent around the edge of the Common. Thought it was a nice spot. We were down the quieter end, too & that was shabby to be fair.

There are the original villages, like Highgate and Hampstead. And then there are the “villages” made up by estate agents. Those can fuck off.

Don’t forget all of London is very mixed. I.e Dulwich village - walk 5 mins and you’re in a south London council estate… they’re not villages just overpriced enclaves

Definitely Wimbledon Village which even has a large area of 'countryside ' at one end ( the Common) It is certainly less 'villagey' than it was 30 years ago but I do think it still has that vibe.

I was born in a 'proper'village and live in a 'proper' village now and all villages are not the same! Dulwich Village, where I have also lived, really does feel like a village as it is an oasis of calm in the middle of South London.

I would add Herne Hill to your list which has a villagey feel.

I thought Bromley North won the best place to live in London, recently?

Personally do not see how Crystal Palace is possibly a Village.

@Trinity65 I think the whole 'village' thing is mostly an estate agent thing.
I mean Dulwich is nice but it's mostly lots of Victorian suburban houses - no more a 'village' than most of London.

Much of Dulwich Village and surrounding areas have land owned by Dulwich College. Take care and be aware of any covenants they have installed, or even if your garden is leasehold. I live in the next postcode, in a flat, and they own the car park!

@DaisyCornflowerBlue yes I had a friend that lived in a 1960s block of flats that are owned by the Dulwich Estate. The windows are really old, single glazing and rattle but no one can change them to decent modern double glazing because the Estate won't let them.