Raynes Park

If you dream of escaping to an oasis of calm after slaving away in London's urban jungle, then Raynes Park is the place for you

With its quiet, leafy streets, attractive properties and green public spaces, you may find it hard to believe that Waterloo is less than 25 minutes by rail. The real bonus of living here is its great travel connections, plus its proximity to some of south west London’s most popular destinations. Wimbledon is right on the doorstep, with Kingston and Richmond close by. If you are travelling by road, you can reach the M25 in twenty minutes via the A3, which also offers a fast escape to holiday spots such as the New Forest and the Dorset Coast.

Raynes Park has a thriving Residents' Association which has led the way in building a great community spirit here. There’s a recently improved shopping area and the crime rate is enviably low.

Shopping and Leisure

You can enjoy traditional high street shopping in the main streets around the railway station. Coombe Lane has a post office, banks and independent shops together with a handful of popular chain stores, including Waitrose and Starbucks. Evening Standard readers voted this area London’s Best Performing High Street in 2012, after local residents’ associations worked with the council to improve the retail environment.

Wimbledon’s buzzing gastro pubs and restaurants are virtually on the doorstep so there’s plenty of choice when it comes to dining out. Closer to home you’ll find some excellent eateries – the Takeya Japanese Restaurant, Lime & Thyme (Mediterranean cuisine) and Cah Chi (a Korean restaurant offering table grills and pot stews) are definitely worth a visit.

For arts enthusiasts there’s plenty going on at The Lantern Arts Centre in Tolverne Road.  This busy community arts centre hosts a choir, a jazz club and an amateur theatre group together with many children’s activities.

Raynes Park not only boasts a number of recreation grounds and parks with sports facilities, it also has its very own Grade 1 nature conservation area. At Cannon Hill Common you can stroll through 140-year-old woodland, observe wildlife or fish in the lake.

Transport connections

There are regular, fast rail services from Raynes Park Station to Waterloo and the nearest tube station is a short bus ride away at Wimbledon.  The area is well connected by bus and services include the 131, 152, 163 and 200.  The night bus N87 runs between Aldwych and Kingston.

Finding the right school

Raynes Park has a number of excellent state primary schools, particularly north of the A298 where West Wimbledon Primary and Wimbledon Chase have been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and Hollymount School has been rated ‘Good’.

South of the A298 the Joseph Hood Primary School has also been rated ‘Good’. There are many great fee-paying schools for younger children in the wider area but the nearest to Raynes Park is probably The Rowans (rated ‘Outstanding’).

In brief

If you are looking for property to rent in Raynes Park, dedicated lettings agent Winchester White can help you find your perfect home. Whether you’re seeking a family house or a generously proportioned flat, you’ll find that open green spaces, a strong community vibe, excellent schools and good local shopping are just some of the reasons why families and young professionals alike are drawn to Raynes Park.