Battersea and Clapham

We have many clients coming to us wanting a property in Kensington & Chelsea who quickly become disappointed with what their budget will buy them. If looking for a property in central London the message from us is don’t discard Battersea too quickly.  With the development of the power station and the relocation of the American Embassy to Vauxhall it is an area which we believe still holds growth, albeit this may have slowed down recently.

Those who allow us to take them across the river are, more often than not, amazed about how much more their money buys them in Battersea – and actually how central they still are.  Living in north Battersea can only be a ten-minute walk away from Chelsea.

What also persuades many is the open space of Battersea Park, right on their doorstep.  The mansion blocks along Prince of Wales Drive and Albert Bridge Road trade at a premium for their proximity to the park.

Another surprise is the variety of property Battersea offers.  Not only are there the highly regarded mansion blocks close to the park, you also have the lovely houses in the streets known as “The Sisters” close to Albert Bridge, modern property such as converted schools and warehouses, smaller houses in “Little India” close to Clapham Junction, the “Diamond Conservation Area” either side of the Queenstown Road and the grander houses on such streets as Anhalt and Worfield.  There really is something for everyone.  Time and time again, as search agents, we find ourselves in the area with clients

Why do people love living in Battersea so much when it is ‘the other side, south of the river’?  In the past, a problems may have been, there was the lack of an underground station. The Northern line extension and associated station at Battersea Power Station opened in 2021 however and residents haven’t looked back. Wandsworth underground station is within reach for some also, and the overland system is excellent, and always has been.

Battersea has the overland stations of Queenstown Road, Battersea Park and Clapham Junction which take you quickly into Victoria and Waterloo and with bus routes a plenty all transport concerns should be dismissed.  For those, wanting the open space of Battersea Park close by can take the overland into Victoria and Waterloo every morning without the struggle of the sometimes unreliability of the other underground lines not so far away and ‘north of the river’.

Newton Prep is one of the better known private schools, but others include Thomas’s Battersea where Prince George attends. Good state schools include Honeywell, Belleville and Bolingbroke Academy situated off the Northcote Road.

Clapham is an area hugely popular with our clients who crave good transport, the liveliness of Clapham High Street and welcome the space Clapham Common offers. Off Clapham High Street is where we often find ourselves with clients wanting flats where their budgets are tighter within our search bracket.  The houses here are tall and have often been split into flats.  There are also a few school conversions and low-rise modern blocks, which make good buy-to-lets.

Clapham Old Town provides more class with some beautiful streets and Georgian properties.  Here not only are there are larger family houses but also smaller houses.  Flats are not so common in the Old Town.  There is a lovely feel about this small patch created by independent shops and a few pubs and cafes.

Abbeville Village is a separate area in Clapham and is popular with families. Most of the properties are houses and some have some fabulous sized gardens.  Abbeville Road is situated on Clapham Common Southside and hosts some fantastic restaurants and other useful services. Transport-wise, it sits between Clapham Common underground station and Clapham South.

London Underground’s Northern Line runs north to south under Clapham and, with a direct service to Bank and despite the fact it is often overcrowded, clients do love to have it on their doorstep. Buses are also plentiful and take you easily to Clapham Junction should that be your preferred route.

There are many private primary schools in Clapham, such as Broomwood Hall, Thomas’s Clapham and Eaton House. There is also a French Lycee School on Wix’s Lane that brings the Europeans to the area.

There are great pubs in the area, The Duke of Cambridge being a favourite, but The Lighthouse and The Prince Albert also deserve a mention.  If it is a non-expensive quick delicious bowl of pasta, you are after, Antipasto & Pasta on Battersea Park Road cannot be beaten.  For finer dining head to Tom Ilic on the Queenstown Road or the eateries on Parkgate Road and Battersea Square.  Clapham Old Town has the Michelin starred Trinity restaurant.

No commentary on Battersea and Clapham would be complete without mention of the infamous Northcote Road, with many family-friendly cafes, such as Bertie & Boo’s and some establishments better suited to grown-up clientele.

Battersea Park, which runs along the south side of the river between Chelsea and Battersea bridges, is one that offers many attractions. An athletics track, a pagoda, a zoo as well as beautiful formal themed gardens and a small lake upon which to pedlo.

Clapham Common is a focal point for locals in Clapham Old Town in the north of the area and for those living near Clapham South. Many sports activities are run on the common for both children and adults as well as a programme of festivals and other events during the summer, which makes this a lively and fun place to spend time.

Property-wise there is something for everyone here and if you are after some life south of the river, Battersea and Clapham should certainly be on your list as areas.

If you’d like to join many of our clients in the Battersea & Clapham area, please get in touch.