For decades, Putney has retained a unique charm, despite being very much part of London’s wide-reaching suburban sprawl. Boasting multiple major transport links that take you right into the heart of the city but with enough space to make your house in SW15 your home, Putney is in top demand.

As one of the longest-operating Putney estate agents in the market, Warren Putney can attest to there being a very special something about the area that just keeps drawing people in, looking for their own slice of Putney life.

Many of the Warren Putney team are residents of the area ourselves. In our time here we’ve fallen for the charm of the neighbourhood—and we know you will, too.

With so much of the past visible in Putney property stock today, including a high volume of terraced houses from the Victorian era, let’s start with a little history of the local area.

The earliest known records of Putney date back to the Domesday Book of 1086. The village of Putelei or Putenhie was very much detached from the hubbub of city life until the Victorian era.

History records the local area as the place where Charles I and Oliver Cromwell conducted a series of meetings, known as the Putney Debates, during the heights of the English Civil War. At this pivotal moment in our country’s history, the two men came together at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in 1647 to discuss a potential new constitution for England as a means of resolving the conflict.

St. Mary survives to this day, serving as a site of great historical interest to many and an interesting spot to visit, whether for curiosity or worship.

Putney clung to its village status for a few centuries, but the booming capital city’s geographic reach gobbled up surrounding towns and villages as the capital boomed—Putney included. The area was formally listed as a new county of London in 1889, and christened part of the London Borough of Wandsworth in 1965.

Today, the fantastic connections with London are one of the best things about living in Putney.

Residents and commuters can take advantage of Putney Bridge and East Putney Tube stations, both of which are on the District line. Heading west takes you out towards Wimbledon; heading east can take you to Earl’s Court to change for other lines, or you may stay eastbound all the way to the City.

Whether you’re looking for Putney apartments for rent or property for sale, Putney has transport options that make life a little easier. Any commuter knows the value of easy access to multiple lines. Mainline trains run through Putney station, taking you to Waterloo in just 15 minutes. For those who wish to take a more scenic route into town, the 22 bus can get you to Piccadilly and the West End in just over an hour.

With the River Thames weaving its way through this part of London, it’s impossible not to notice how it has an impact on life in this borough. Putney Pier makes for a grand point to disembark from, if you wish to take a river taxi along the Thames to your final destination.

Finally, don’t forget that the area is well provisioned with Santander bikes, so if you fancy a brisk way of getting around then it’s easy to hop on and enjoy a quick cycle.

Whether you’re travelling for work or leisure, Putney is ideally situated, making it possible to get from A to B in next to no time.

To match the pleasant, leafy surroundings, Putney’s dining scene is extremely impressive. Everyone has their favourites, so here are some of the Warren team’s very own choices for places to eat in Putney.

1. Home SW15

A particular favourite of the team’s, Home SW15 is a trendy suburban hotspot for some savoury dishes and smashing cocktails. Home SW15 was the 2019 winner of the Good Food Guide’s Best Local Restaurant in London award.

Home SW15 operates as an all-day café, ideal for those who need a shot of espresso to revitalise their senses. By night, it offers an extensive selection of wines and cocktails, plus a splendid dining menu with mouth-watering options, presented in a simple yet unforgettable style.

If you’re looking for a house in SW15, we highly recommend you check out Home SW15 while you’re in town.

2. Gazette Putney

Craving some casual French cuisine in a stylish Putney-based brasserie? There’s no better place than Gazette Putney.

Offering a menu of seasonal French brasserie dishes, diners can enjoy a meal in a glamourous venue, complete with mismatched furniture, to offer a dining experience unlike any other.

3. The Duke’s Head

If you like nothing more than a traditional English pub, the Duke’s Head is the place for you.

A Grade II-listed building which has stood since 1864, the Duke’s Head is the perfect riverside pub for a refreshing drink. With a selection of craft beers and bottomless brunch options, it is a great spot to catch the Oxford and Cambridge boat race as it whisks by on the Thames.

Not only is the Duke’s Head a good place to socialise over a drink, it also cooks up a splendid Sunday Roast, as well as delectable classic pub lunches such as fish and chips.

Many people move to this lush district in order to start families, and it’s no surprise - this is a calm and gentle place to raise a child.

But what about finding the right school close to your Putney property? There are a wide range of places to send your child for a well-rounded education.

There are a number of secondary schools in the local area, both east and west of the high street. Some of the area’s secondary schools are independent schools known to be prestigious. Even so, there are an ample number of both state and private sector schools, catering to different buyers with their own preferences.

King’s College School Wimbledon admits both boys and girls, and claims to be one of the most academically successful schools in the whole world. Putney High School for Girls is cited as one of the UK’s leading independent girls’ schools and is a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust. The Roche School is an independent family owned primary school and became a member of the Independent School Association (ISA) in 2018. Meanwhile, Our Lady of Victories, Brandlehow and St Mary’s primary schools and Keswick House Nursery have been given a rating considered Outstanding, according to Ofsted.

Out of the 11 secondary schools operating in the district who provided data, between 83 to 97 per cent of their attendees go on to stay in full-time education or find employment, suggesting high educational standards and a suitable place to raise a growing family.

Putney really is one of the best areas in London to buy a house and start putting down roots. The area suits so many people because it offers all the benefits of being part of exciting, mile-a-minute London, while managing to retain that quintessentially spacious English village feel.

It’s no secret that Putney is one of the greenest parts of London. Wide open public spaces, tree-lined streets, riverside parks. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another part of London with so many trees per capita!

Cap it all off with a stunning riverside location with Putney property and apartments to rent right on the Thames, and it’s clear this is a rather special spot. A unique mix of village life and cosmopolitan bustle—everything you could want from a thriving suburban neighbourhood.

Make the most of living in Putney and plan out the ideal weekend with your family. Looking for some ideas to get started? The perfect weekend in Putney starts here, with some of our choice picks below.

1. Summertime celebration by the riverside

Want to squeeze every last drop of fun to be had out of living in Putney during the long, hot summer months? Consider throwing a summer party at any number of venues in the local area, as close to the river as possible.

The Duke’s Head has a pleasant view of the riverside Sip on a refreshing beer or cocktail without a care in the world, then indulge in a suitably sizzling summertime dinner by reserving a table inside. Weekends have never been so relaxed.

2. Strawberries and cream at Wimbledon

Wonder what all the racquet is about? Putney residents are fortunate to have Wimbledon, one of the world’s most renowned tennis venues, right on their doorstep. Every summer, thousands descend upon leafy Putney en route to see some of tennis’s most formidable titans competing for the top spot.

Why not plan a grand picnic on Murray Mountain with your friends? Or better still, try to bag a spot in one of the main courts, and see if you can catch some of the main action—all while enjoying some strawberries and cream, of course.

Take the District line from Putney Bridge or East Putney heading west to Southfields or Wimbledon Park, both of which are easy walking distance from the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

3. Get stuck in with crafts

Looking for something fun to do with the kids on a weekend in Putney? Pitter Potter’s got it covered. Take your kids to this fun venue, where you can mould your very own pottery.

It all starts with a lump of clay, plenty of paint and lots of imagination. Go wild at Pitter Potter with all the family in tow and celebrate a birthday or another special event there to leave a lasting impression for the little ones. The best bit? Once the item is fired in the kiln, you get to take it home!

4. A stroll in the park

Take a stroll down by the riverside and check out the houseboats and birdlife on the Thames. Choose from a number of different parks, including our favourite, Wandsworth Park. Small but perfectly formed, this little park borders the river and offers plenty of green space to take a break from it all. You’ve also got a playground for the little ones, tennis courts and Putt in the Park if you fancy a round of crazy golf to wrap up your weekend.