Battersea is one of the most popular places to live for young professionals and four out of ten residents are aged between 20 and 34
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What to know about Battersea SW11
Battersea has undergone a remarkable transformation from one of the most down-at-heel parts of London into one of the most popular residential addresses in London. So unpopular was Battersea in Victorian times that its station – the UK's busiest railway hub – was named Clapham Junction, even though it sits squarely in Battersea, with planners deciding that it would be more prestigious to name it after its more salubrious neighbour Clapham.
Lettings Manager of the Marsh & Parsons Battersea office, Francesca Matthews, says Battersea is one of the friendliest parts of London. "If you don't know London it's a great place to move into – if you spend a day on Northcote Road you will make friends straightaway." In the prime roads of Dents, Gorst and Blenkarne SW11, residents hold an annual dinner and recently clubbed together to install closed-circuit television cameras to improve security in their streets and have an e-mail system to keep in touch.
There are many other attractions of life in Battersea and one of the main ones is the low level of council tax. Wandsworth has the lowest council tax bills in the country. "The reason," says Francesca, "is that every train passing through Clapham Junction station has to pay a levy to the council and that money keeps bills down."
Battersea is one of the most popular places to live for young professionals, and four out of ten residents are aged between 20 and 34. However, schools in Battersea are a big attraction and its popularity with young families has earned it the nickname “Nappy Valley” and Pram Springs. There are good local state schools located 'between the commons' including Belleville School and Honeywell School, both achieving results much higher than the national average.
Celebrities enjoy Battersea life too, chef Gordon Ramsay lives next to Wandsworth Common SW18, while Johnny Vaughan lives nearby on Elsynge Road and other famous residents include Bob Geldof and Dannii Minogue, while in the past Battersea claimed William Wilberforce as one of its most famous and influential residents.
Property types in Battersea
As a popular residential area, there is a diverse range of property types in Battersea. Boasting a wealth of beautiful Victorian and Edwardian period conversions, there is also a good selection of complete period buildings and Victorian villas, with some of the most popular overlooking the Commons. In contrast to the many attractive period buildings, there are an increasing number of contemporary developments, including the waterfront Montevetro building and Norman Foster’s Albion Riverside.
So, what will you get for your money in Battersea?
Marsh & Parsons is one of Battersea's most popular estate agents and has flats and houses to let in the area commonly referred to as ‘Between the Commons', sitting as it does between Clapham and Wandsworth Commons. Marsh & Parsons will also let property further a field, on the river and around Battersea Park.
The price of property to rent in Battersea starts at about £250 a week for a studio flat in a Victorian conversion, rising to £350 a week for a one bedroom flat – or £400 for one with a garden. Two bedroom flats cost between £350 and £470, rising to £550 for a garden flat. Houses start at £700 a week for three bedrooms and £850 a week for four bedrooms, but on Broomwood Road SW11, one of the most sought after roads, a large four-bedroom house will let for £950 a week and on Winsham Grove SW11 tenants will pay £1,000 a week for a five-bedroom family home.
On the river, prices are similarly high and Marsh & Parsons has a two-bedroom flat to rent in Falcon Wharf for £560 a week. Houses start at about £600 a week and in Montholme Road Marsh & Parsons is letting a large four-bedroom house for £610 a week.
Prices can go even higher and on Thurleigh Road SW12 the biggest houses will achieve £1,200 a week, while on Shelgate Road SW11, Marsh & Parsons has recently let a five-bedroom house for £1,525 a week.
What else can you expect from Battersea?
Most people thinking of Battersea will conjure up images of the iconic Battersea Power Station and the renowned Battersea Dogs’ Home, however the area is also synonymous with live music, drama and dance. The Battersea Arts Centre is a hive of cultural activity, while the first Jongleurs comedy club opened on Lavender Hill SW11 and the Royal Academy of Dance is located in Battersea Square. Bunga Bunga on Battersea Bridge Road is popular for it's pizza and Karaoke nights - Prince Harry has even paid a visit to this restaurant!
With numerous excellent eateries in Battersea, the Michelin-starred Chez Bruce on Wandsworth Common is one of London's finest restaurants while The Castle on Battersea High Street SW11 is a large traditional pub, divided into rooms giving it a warm, cosy feel. The Battersea Barge on Nine Elms Lane SW8 hosts jazz nights and is a popular drinking spot, if you can get used to the motion of the river at high tide and Dusk Bar reflects Battersea's proximity to Chelsea and is fast becoming one of the trendiest places to drink in London.
While Battersea may not be able to compete with the shopping of nearby Chelsea, there are many good independent shops, such as Home Front, a gift shop on Sugden Road SW11, Orca for fashion accessories on Battersea Bridge Road SW11, and Silver Gallery, a wholesale jeweller on Abbey Business Centre and convenient supermarkets close. There are many boutiques opening on the now-trendy Northcote Road to tempt shoppers and as well as independent retailers, and a good selection of mouth-watering cafes, delis and artisan bakeries that are popping up around the area such as Gail’s and the Lighthouse Bakery, providing a lovely way to while away a lazy afternoon.
As your local estate agent Marsh & Parsons prides itself on its local knowledge and staff at the Battersea office are a mine of useful information for residents: from the day rubbish is collected, to the cost of a parking permit and even the name of a good dentist, they have their finger on Battersea's throbbing pulse.
Green spaces in Battersea
There is a wealth of green, open spaces in and around Battersea with Battersea Park offering playgrounds, boating, bowls, cricket, fishing and a wonderful children’s zoo set in the attractive green space of the park, while Battersea Park also offers contemporary art exhibitions and art fairs.
With one of Battersea’s most popular areas being located ‘between the commons,’ Battersea is ideally located for the open spaces of both Wandsworth Common and Clapham Common which provide recreational and sporting activities as well as simply an attractive setting for a long walk.
Transport in Battersea
While there is a limited London Underground service in Battersea specifically, there is a great selection of London Overground links from:-
Clapham Junction
Battersea Park Station
Queenstown Road Station
Vauxhall Station
The nearest London Underground service from Northcote Road is Clapham South on the Northern Line. The nearest underground to Battersea Park is Vauxhall on the Victoria Line.
Click here for an Underground Map
For more information about the bus routes in Battersea Park, click here. For further bus routes around Clapham Junction, click here.
Which London Borough is Battersea in?
Battersea is in the London Borough of Wandsworth, click here for more information about council tax bands, parking permits and healthcare services in the borough.
How can I find out about schools in the Battersea area?
For a comprehensive list of schools in the Borough of Wandsworth please click here.
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