School in Battersea are a big attraction and its popularity with young families has earned it the nickname 'Nappy Valley'
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What to know about Battersea SW11
Battersea's transformation from one of the most down-at-heel parts of London into one of the most popular residential addresses is one of the most remarkable in the capital. 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.
The Manager of Marsh & Parsons Battersea Office, Rose Holden says, it is one of the friendliest parts of London. "If you move to Northcote Road you will make friends within a day," she says. In the prime roads of Dents Road, Gorst Road and Blenkarne Road SW11, residents hold an annual dinner and recently clubbed together to install closed-circuit television cameras to improve security in their streets.
There are many other attractions in Battersea and one of the main ones is the low level of council tax. Wandsworth has the second-lowest council tax bills in the country. "The reason," says Holden, "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.
Property types in Battersea
As a popular residential area, there is a range of property types in Battersea. With a wealth of 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 for sale in the area commonly referred to as ‘Between the Commons', sitting as it does between Clapham and Wandsworth Commons on Northcote Road. The office also sells property further a field, on the river and around Battersea Park.
Prices are far lower than in neighbouring Chelsea, which is just across the river, with flats for sale starting at around £250,000 for a studio flat in a Victorian conversion in Webbs Road for example, rising to roughly £500,000 for a two-bedroom flat on Kelmscott Road SW11. Two bedroom flats with gardens or terraces can sell for £575,000 or more.
Most of the houses and flats in the area were built by the Victorians and Edwardians, although in the 1980's riverside flats sprung up as house-hunters and developers were priced out of Chelsea. Among the biggest waterside developments are Montevetro, designed by Richard Rogers and Norman Foster's Albion Riverside. The newest – and biggest – is Chelsea Bridge Wharf, where one-bedroom flats sell for upwards of £350,000.
The most popular apartments are Victorian and Edwardian conversions and the most sought after location is around Battersea Park and between the Commons. On Northcote Road SW11 for example, two-bedroom conversion flats sell for between £500,000 and £600,000, popular because of its proximity to Wandsworth Common and the excellent local shops. The price of a three-bedroom cottage on the popular Shaftesbury Estate start at about £550,000 and in Little India – so-called for its street names of Kabul, Kandahar and Afghan – a three-bedroom house will sell for upwards of £650,000.
Among the most sought-after addresses is Thurleigh Road SW12 where Victorian and Edwardian houses range in price from £1.5 to £5 million, the most expensive being large double-fronted villas with back gardens more than 60 feet long.
"People who move to Battersea usually come here as young professionals and buy a one-bedroom flat, then find a partner and buy a bigger flat and then move into a house when they start a family," says Holden. "Few people move away from Battersea unless it is further out into the country".
What else can you expect from Battersea?
While Battersea is well known for the Battersea Power Station and the established Battersea Dogs’ Home, it is also synonymous with live music, drama and dance: Battersea Arts Centre is a hive of cultural activity; the first Jongleurs comedy club opened on Lavender Hill SW11 and the Royal Academy of Dance is located in Battersea Square.
The Michelin-starred Chez Bruce on Wandsworth Common is one of London's finest restaurants and one of just many excellent eateries in the area. 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. The Castle on Battersea High Street SW11 is a large traditional pub, but it is divided into rooms which gives it a cosy feel. Dusk Bar reflects Battersea's proximity to Chelsea and is fast becoming one of the trendiest places to drink in London.
Shopping in Battersea cannot compete with nearby Chelsea, but supermarkets are close by and there are 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. There are many boutiques opening on the now-trendy Northcote Road to tempt shoppers and as well as independent retailers, a growing number of high-street names are also opening branches there. Additionally, an increasing number of cafes, delis and artisan bakeries are popping up around the area such as Gail’s and the Lighthouse Bakery, that provide 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 homeowners: 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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