Does this exist in London?

[Doesthisexist7]

We used to live in Victoria Park Village and in London Fields. And we loved the village atmosphere, the closed-to-traffic roads, the park, the quirky independent shops, strong sense of community.

Now we live elsewhere in London, and we love how safe and green it is with great schools. But it completely lacks the villagey charm and the things to do.

Is there a London place that combines all? Villagey charm, safe, green? Oh - and great schools?! 😄

You need to go south. Lots of choice there.

Is it villagey with closed-to-traffic roads, independent shops, v safe, lots of green, and good schools?

I would go south! Just don’t know where fills all that criteria. I went to Dulwich village but it didn’t feel like the things I want. Bit trafficky, bit chainy. Very pretty though - and very green. I did like it, I just didn’t find that combination of all the things I want! (Which may be impossible!)

Barnes? Until Hammersmith bridge opens again. You need to be rich though.

Highams Park ticks most of those boxes (not the closed to traffic roads); and has a lovely park and Epping Forest, and has a nice community feel, lovely little shops and good schools.

Perhaps Nunhead? Has a nice little green with some lovely shops and a good pub. Or at least it did when I lived there a few years back. Nunhead cemetery is a bit of a hidden gem imo, feels like you’re not in London in a few spots. Also Peckham rye and telegraph hill area very close.

Dulwich village is nice to look at but not exactly down to earth.

Wanstead

Unfortunately practically no high streets in London are pedestrianised due to the spiderweb nature of our roads and lack of alternative routes, as well as local councils' pandering to older voters who prefer cars rather than younger folks who are happy to walk/cycle/take public transit if only they are provided with suitable infrastructure to do so. My husband is working with a local group on pedestrianising part of our high street (SW London) and they've been told it will take years, if ever, as it's just not a priority for the council.

That said, places that otherwise have what you're looking for are all £££ (but so is Victoria Park, so I'm assuming that isn't an issue): Hampstead, West Hampstead, Barnes, Richmond, Herne Hill, Teddington, Clapham Old Town, Blackheath, to name a few.

Chiswick?

The high street has cars, but very wide pavements so it feels spacious.

£££££, of course.

It only exists in London to a limited extent as it's still London. We're in Dulwich and we love it, but there is still traffic and because of this any LTNs etc have a massive knock-on effect nearby. Dulwich Village is now almost completely closed to traffic at certain times but as a result some nearby roads are completely gridlocked.

Crystal palace x

Herne Hill?

I don’t think you’ll get closed to traffic but there’s loads of nice village-y areas in south London with parks and decent schools. I’d agree with Herne Hill and also try Blackheath, Hither Green, Wimbledon, Wimbledon Park, Southfields and Furzedown. Even parts of Colliers Wood. They all have very good state primaries and at least one decent state secondary nearby (but you’ll need to be careful about catchments)- Thomas Tallis, St Cecelia’s, Graveney, Wimbledon College, Ursuline etc. I also really like the feel of Telegraph Hill and I think the school there has a good reputation but the area may not feel quite so safe for older kids.

Ealing

Ignore the main high street area.

Northfields/South Ealing if you need the tube, or Pitshanger Village if you don’t

Kew? Barnes?

Primrose Hill. Not closed to traffic but quiet roads and mainly taken over by outdoor restaurant seating now. Strong community, very green. State primary is very good and lots of good privates.

Blackheath has cars but an excellent common and some nice pubs.

Blackheath is EXACTLY what you want !