We round-up London’s most family-friendly areas and leafy neighbourhoods, perfect for parents raising young children.

When it’s time to have children, moving to the country will be a compelling thought for many. It promises cheaper homes, more space, cleaner air and grass that is quite literally greener. But the reality of swapping urban convenience and buzzy city life for a two-hour commute isn’t an easy transaction. As such, new parents have long made tracks for London’s leafy suburbs, where they can get green space without leaving the city. London Property Group Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward (KFH) round up a few of the family-friendly areas you might want to consider while raising small children.

EARLSFIELD

With the ever-popular Balham and Clapham to the east, Battersea to the north and Tooting to the south, Earlsfield was for a long time considered the wallflower of south London postcodes. But awash with excellent primary schools and sporting a huge selection of spacious, family properties, Earlsfield has become the first choice for a huge proportion of south London’s yummy mummies, as a place to raise young families. Schools and catchment areas play a big part in the housing market in this part of town, with Earlsfield Primary School, Floreat Wandsworth Primary School, Beatrix Potter School, Wimbledon Park Primary School, Swaffield School, Allfarthing Primary School and Smallwood Primary School all held in high esteem. On top of these OFSTED excellent-rated school and nurseries, the green spaces nearby – Wandsworth Common, King George’s Park, Wimbledon Park, Garratt Green and the River Wandle – are another huge attraction for families. Rebecca May, who has worked for Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward for 23 years, and is currently Sales Manager at KFH Earlsfield says, “The Borough of Wandsworth as a whole is known for its great community spirit. For example, across Earlsfield, a number of bars and cafes such as Home Café in St Andrews Church, Belle Amie and Bean and Hop, contribute to this, while Eddie Catz play centre, Mini Potters pottery painting and the local library offer a huge selection of parent and child sessions.”

Traditionally, the housing stock has been made up of Victorian and Edwardian terraces, period conversions and maisonettes that have been snapped up by families looking for a spot of garden to call their own. The average sale price in the area currently sits around £940,000. Rebecca says, “Young professionals who move in to Earlsfield quickly progress to family life, and there are many different property types to suit all sorts of needs. One or two bedroom flats and split-level maisonettes with beautiful gardens appeal to all our clients, in particular young and growing families.”

Rebecca May, Sales Manager of KFH Earlsfield

EAST DULWICH

Cosy cottages, boutique shops, Grade II-listed pubs, multiple parks and a duck pond in the heart of the village lend Dulwich all the charm of the Cotswolds and a real sense of rurality. East Dulwich in particular pulls in young families in their droves, attracted by the well-priced property and the reputation it has for being a vibrant, buzzing area. On top of that, the area has excellent transport links with London Bridge just 20 minutes away by train and regular buses to Victoria, Aldgate, Tottenham Court Road and Trafalgar Square. Roxanne Alleyne, mother of two, and Lettings Manager at KFH East Dulwich, says, “Families move to East Dulwich from a variety of neighbouring areas, but most typically from nearby Balham and Clapham, as our properties offer a more affordable option for younger families.” It’s a fantastic spot for families looking to get value for their money, where they can still enjoy a lovely family environment and high quality schools.

“We work with a lot of young families with two or three children looking to rent in East Dulwich,” says Roxanne. These families are either looking to get into popular schools that have very small catchment areas, or they will rent for one or two years to see if they like the area first before buying a property. Roxanne continues, “We tend to steer families to properties in the Goose Green, Herber and Goodrich areas for top primary school catchment options.” The average rent for a family home through KFH East Dulwich is £3,500 pcm. On top of excellent schooling, East Dulwich is home to a Picture House Cinema, boutique shops, plenty of history as the birthplace of Enid Blyton and a handful of restaurants with outdoor eating areas for the summer months. Peckham Rye Park and Dulwich Park are both located close by too.

Roxanne Alleyne, Lettings Manager at KFH East Dulwich

CHISWICK

Leafy Chiswick, with its attractive period properties, green spaces and quick motorway access, is one of the most popular places for settling down in London among young families. It’s an area perfect for those who want the advantages of the capital but without the hustle and bustle of city life. Safe, quiet and affluent, Chiswick is home to a wealth of high-performing primary schools that attract families from neighbourhoods such as Chelsea and Fulham. There is also a fantastic assortment of nearby amenities such as Kidzania, the London Museum of Water and Steam and Chiswick House, all perfect for entertaining little ones on rainy days. Ramsey Conyers, Sales Manager at KFH Chiswick has lived in London all his life, and worked in the Chiswick area for over 15 years. He says,, “Our buyers are a wonderful mix of families new to the area and those who have lived within the community for generations.”

“The high street is buzzing with world-class restaurants – including two with Michelin stars – and cafes, while Turnham Green, Chiswick Park and Chiswick Common are beautiful open spaces, perfect for dog walking and whiling away sunny weekends with the children.” According to Ramsey, “The average price of a home sold through KFH Chiswick is over £1 million. A good example of this is the recent sale of an end-of-terrace, four bedroom Edwardian home on Evelyn Road, which sold for £1,060,000. Families looking to move to Chiswick can expect a gorgeous selection of Victorian cottages, Edwardian terraces, conversion properties and new builds.”

Ramsey Conyers, Sales Manager at KFH Chiswick

Looking to buy, sell, rent or let in any of these areas? The team at KFH know London, and they understand your journey. Get in touch.

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