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South West London is the western part of Greater London that lies south of the River Thames and extends from the borders of Central London down towards the Surrey countryside. Generally more affluent than the South East, the district tends to be a region of large parks and gardens, and comfortable suburbs. It has a significant royal and aristocratic heritage and is home to Wimbledon, "the home of tennis", and Twickenham, the "home of rugby", amongst other places.

Kew Gardens is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

[edit] Districts

The areas of South West London of greatest interest to the traveller are as follows:

• Battersea
• Brixton
• Clapham
• Kingston
• Putney
• Richmond
• Streatham
• Tooting
• Southfields
• Wandsworth
• Wimbledon

[edit] Get in

South West London is well serviced by public transport as it is prime commuter zone. The District, Northern and Victoria underground lines all service the area, Heathrow Airport is also very close by, being serviced by the Picadilly line into Hammersmith.

[edit] By rail

The North London Line services Richmond and Kew and a separate overground train run from Clapham to Willesden Junctions.

[edit] By tube

South West London is served by the Northern line, and branches of the District Line and, more minorly, the Victoria line.

[edit][add listing] See

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

• Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey (by rail from London Waterloo to Hampton Court or bus R68 from Richmond tube), ☎ +44 (0)8444 827777 (hamptoncourt@hrp.org.uk), [1]. M-Su 10AM-4:30PM. £6.50-13.  edit

• Richmond Park, (tube: Richmond then bus 371 or 65), [2]. Daily 7AM-dusk. The largest Royal Park in London at 1000 ha (2500 acres) in size. On a clear day, views can stretch as far as central London. Free.  edit

• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, (tube: Kew Gardens), ☎ +44 (0)20 83325655 (info@kew.org), [3]. This historic and beautiful garden features elements that illustrate significant periods of the art of gardens from the 18th to the 20th centuries, as well as a plant collection second to none in the world. Since their creation in 1759, the gardens have made a significant and uninterrupted contribution to the study of plant diversity and economic botany. The gardens cover 300 acres (120 hectares) and are over a mile long. They contain several major glasshouse complexes, not least the famous Palm House opened in 1848, together with a museum and several follies. £10.25-12.25.  edit

• Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, Church Road (tube: Southfields then bus 493), ☎ +44 (0)20 89466131, [4]. Daily (for exceptions see website) 10:30AM-5PM. £11-£14.50.  edit

• Wimbledon Common, ☎ +44 (0)20 87887655 (rangersoffice@wpcc.org.uk), [5]. A large area (460 hectares) of woodlands, open grass areas and healthland with a windmill, nature trails and ponds. Free.  edit

• Battersea Park, [6]. Daily 8AM-dusk. On the river next to the iconic Battersea Power Station. Free.  edit

• Clapham Common, [7]. The heart of South West London's hippest district. Free.  edit

• Bushy Park.  edit
• Twickenham, Twickenham Stadium, Rugby Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 1DZ, ☎ 020 8892 8877, [8]. Twickenham is the home of the England national rugby team, and is used mostly for major internationals and cup finals. Tour the stadium and visit the Museum of Rugby - check their website to avoid being turned away on match days.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships, [9]. Two weeks during late June or early July. Wimbledon. Part of the grand slam world tennis fixtures - attract all the top-seeded players for competition.  edit

• London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes (tube: Hammersmith then bus 283), ☎ +44 (0)20 84094400 (info.london@wwt.org.uk), [10]. £4.50-£8.13.  edit

• Easy Peasy Skate, (Battersea Park), [11]. Sa 10:30am. For absolute beginners.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Lola Rojo, 78 Northcote Road. Tu-Sa 10AM-10:30PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Chef Antonio Belles’ comfy, neighborhood restaurant and deli serves contemporary Spanish tapas.  edit

• Thai Tiarra, Whitton High Street.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• The Admiral Nelson, Whitton.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep