Today I’m happy to introduce Emily Murphy to you as our guest contributor. Emily is sharing her part of London with us: Putney! I seriously laughed out loud at some of her answers, and had a good time reading all about her life south of the river in Putney. (P.S. ... Is everyone enjoying this series as much as I am? I’m totally loving having so many voices talking about their hoods here on Aspiring Kennedy… brings me back to the old days of community blogging.}

PUTNEY

1. TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD.

Putney is a lovely neighbourhood in southwest London filled with lots of green spaces, cafes, and families. It’s located on the south bank of the Thames, between Fulham and Wimbledon. I often say that Putney feels like a small town within London - everything you need is right here and it’s easy to go weeks without ever feeling like you have to leave. You’re also surrounded by green spaces on all sides - the river to the north, Wandsworth Park to the east, Putney Common to the west, and Putney Heath to the south.

2. ON A SCALE FROM 1-10, HOW CONNECTED WOULD YOU SAY WHERE YOU LIVE IS? WHAT ARE THE MAJOR LINES THAT RUN TO/FROM YOU?

I’d say Putney is a 7. The train from Putney Station runs to Waterloo and is super convenient for getting into the city. There are two tube stations - East Putney and Putney Bridge (both served by the District line) - which take you right through central London. However, the District line is notoriously slow and always has problems (delays, improvement work, etc.). More often than not, I jump on a bus to get around. There are loads of lines that run through Putney, and a bus is the fastest and easiest way for me to get to other neighbourhoods in SW London like Chelsea or Clapham.

3. IN A DREAM WORLD, WHAT WOULD BE THE PERFECT STREET OR AREA TO LIVE IN WITHIN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD? WHY?

I’m particularly fond Putney’s pedestrian-only streets, like Quill Lane and Olivette Street. The rows of houses along either side are so cute and feel so much like London to me. I also love the houses on Deodar Road. They’re beautiful Victorian homes that back onto the river.

4. ON A SCALE FROM 1-10, HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE VALUE FOR SQUARE FOOTAGE IS? DO YOU PAY A PREMIUM FOR WHERE YOU LIVE OR WOULD YOU SAY IT IS A BETTER VALUE THAN OTHER AREAS IN LONDON?

Putney is expensive and we definitely pay a premium for living here. The houses are beautiful and the parks and riverfront are a real perk. Parts of Putney, like the Dover House conservation area, offer better value as they are further from transport links. For us, though, location was the most important factor - I’ve just had a baby and I know that I’m much more likely to leave the house if amenities are close by. Living in the centre of Putney means a much smaller apartment, which can sometimes be frustrating, but I do think the location makes it worth it.

5. WHAT IS THE GENERAL VIBE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD? GIVE US THREE TYPES OF PEOPLE WE MEET SEE ON YOUR HIGH STREET?

Putney is full of families. The three types of people you’d meet on our high street are moms with prams, dads with prams, and nannies with prams. It can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, actually - I often struggle to find space for my pram in a cafe or restaurant because there are already so many inside! Putney High Street definitely lacks the charm of other neighbourhoods in London like Notting Hill or Hampstead. There’s always a lot of traffic (Putney High Street is regularly listed as one of the worst polluted streets in London) and there are more chains than cute neighbourhood places. However, if you go off the beaten path a bit, you’re treated by a really lovely vibe. Lower Richmond Road in particular is full of great cafes, restaurants, and shops.

6. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO GET COFFEE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

It’s hard to pick! My favourite is probably Blåbär on Lacy Road - they have the best cinnamon buns I’ve had in London, and the nicest staff. I’m also a fan of Artisan and The Bakehouse on Upper Richmond Road, and Ground on Lower Richmond Road (a great place to stop for coffee before a walk along the river).

7. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO GET DINNER IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

Putney has a few pubs that serve amazing food, and they’re your best bet for a good meal around here. My favourite is the Prince of Wales on Upper Richmond Road. They have a cozy dining room and serve excellent food (the steak and the burger are great). There’s also a lovely private dining room upstairs which is great for parties. The Jolly Gardeners (the fish and chips are my favourite in London) and the Coat and Badge, both on Lacy Road, are also excellent options.

8. HOW WOULD YOU SPEND A SATURDAY IN PUTNEY- AS A LOCAL?

We’d start the day with brunch at Tried and True - ordering either the buttermilk waffles or the skillet hash. It’s a really nice restaurant that is super family-friendly and always has the best atmosphere. Then, assuming the weather is good, we’d head out for a walk either along the river or through Putney Heath. We’d stop for an afternoon drink at The Telegraph, a great little pub in the middle of Putney Heath that makes me feel like I’m having a day out in the country. These days, our evenings are spent at home desperately trying to get our three month old to sleep, but if we had a sitter we’d probably go to Five Guys for dinner and then see a movie (they’ve just redone the cinema here and it is lush).

9. HOW MUCH WOULD AN UBER TO OXFORD CIRCUS COST YOU? (APPROXIMATELY)

£15-21. It depends on traffic and surge fares. It’s cost us £40+ to get home before.

10. WHAT’S THE BEST PLACE TO BE OUTDOORS IN PUTNEY?

It’s hard to pick, as there are so many lovely green spaces here, but my favourite would have to be walking along the river. There’s a great walking path that runs all the way from Putney to Barnes (and beyond, I’m sure, but I’ve never made it further than that). Lots of doggies, space for the pram, and great views.

Looking for the perfect London neighbourhood for you? Check out my other neighbourhood guides:

DULWICH | HAMPSTEAD | SHEPHERDS BUSH | CHELSEA | NOTTING HILL | ISLINGTON | BRIXTON

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*images courtesy of Emily Murphy

Putney | A Local's Neighbourhood Guide