Putney Area Guide
Mucking about on the river
Commuters who drive across Putney Bridge daily probably have no idea of the immense amount of activity there is along the Putney Embankment. With its vast array of rowing clubs and boathouses, we are often letting and selling properties to people who are moving locally to be near their rowing club. Below is a little information on a handful of these clubs!The London Rowing Club | The Embankment, Putney, London, SW15 1LB.
This extremely active club, competing at the highest levels, made its debut on the bosom of old Father Thames on the evening of Thursday 22 May 1856. A circular letter sent by Josias Nottidge summoned a meeting at the Craven Hotel where it was resolved the attendees would: “form themselves into an association to be called the London Rowing Club, having for its object the encouragement of rowing on the River Thames.”www.londonrc.org.uk
Vesta rowing Club | The Embankment, Putney, London.
With a history dating back to 1870, Vesta is a busy members-only rowing club based on the Tideway in Putney. They row, train and race hard and also pride themselves on being a friendly and welcoming family club. And, in case you didn’t know… the Vesta bar is legendary (well it must be true, it says so on their website!).www.vestarowing.co.uk
Chas Newens Marine | The Boat House, Embankment, Putney, London SW15 1LB.
Chas Newns started the business in 1978. It provides everything needed for a nautical experience on the Thames, from boat sales and hire to full Chandlery. They are also highly experienced in providing boats and support for filming and making videos on the Thames. So if you lose your davits, need you bottom scraped or just some friendly advice, Chase Newns is the place to go.Restaurants
A joy of Putney is a vast selection of restaurants and eateries, from the inexpensive and quick, to the more exotic! Three of our favourites are:Gazette | 147 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, London SW15 2TX.
A review by Joshua: Not because we are biased because it is next to our office, but we all love Gazette! The food, atmosphere and service are all great. The cuisine is really authentic French. You could be in a Bistro on the Left Bank; you just don’t have to pay to go to Paris! There is an ever-changing special lunch menu offering 3 courses for only £13.50. And, if you like coffee it’s about the best in town! Regularly there are seasonal specials.www.gazettebrasserie.co.uk/putney
Bill’s | 146-148 Putney High St, Putney, London SW15 1RR.
A review by Sue: Bill’s is a refreshing modern twist on many traditional dishes. The décor is great fun; it may be a chain but feels different and special. Bill’s started as a family business in Lewis, Sussex but even now that they are all over the country they still retain a special individual style, friendly staff and great food all day, from Breakfast through to Dinner. And, if you like their food there are plenty of yummy products to take home!www.bills-website.co.uk
Putney Pies | 2 Putney High St, London SW15 1SL.
A review by Matt: if you crave something warm satisfying with all the love of British tradition check out the lovely Putney Pies on the corner of Putney high street and Lower Richmond Rd. All pies are made fresh and on the premises, and range from traditional their steak and ale or chicken, portobello mushroom and leek pie. For the more adventurous then their BBQ smoked pulled pork pie or my favourite, the wild rabbit and apple pie (mmmm). All served with mash and gravy or triple cooked thick chips. Ales on tap, craft beers, wines and spirits. If a pie is not your thing there is plenty else and kids specials.www.putneypies.co.uk
Transport
We could not be better supplied in Putney with transport facilities. With 4 regular means of getting into central London our communications are unrivalled! So wherever you work in London, it can be easily reached!Some 17 bus routes pass through various parts of Putney, the District Line Tube stations of East Putney and Putney Bridge provide a service to Wimbledon, Earls Court and beyond into central London.
The Overground station on Putney High Street has fast, frequent trains to Waterloo and changing at Clapham Junction or Vauxhall also gives easy access to all other parts of central London.
The water taxi from Putney Pier is a fantastic and different way to commute to various stops between Chelsea and the City. Putney is also well supplied with Santander ‘Boris’ bikes, with stands at various locations and London taxicabs are usually available from outside Putney Station.
As Putney is so highly connected, Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports are easily accessed by public transport.
To find out more about Public Transport take a look at TFL website: www.tfl.gov.uk
Fun things to do in Putney!
We have more means of entertainment in Putney than you might imagine, but to select just a few:Theatre
We have to put Putney Arts Theatre at the top of the list as we sponsor it! Located in a converted church on the corner of Ravenna Rd and the Upper Richmond Rd, there is always something interesting on here. Shows vary from serious and mysterious to fun and humorous. There is a fantastic Pantomime at Christmas, courtesy of the Putney Light Operatic Society (PLOS), that’s great for kids of all ages and adults too!Find out more and what upcoming performances at: www.putneyartstheatre.org.uk
Cinema
The Odeon at the bottom of the High Street has 4 screens showing all of the latest movies. It also has a Costa Coffee outlet and as it is surrounded by eateries there is plenty of choice for a bite to eat before or after your film.Check what’s on at: www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/putney/
Putney Putt in the Park
Now for something completely different! Putt In The Park is a putting course and clubhouse Café set in the beautiful and historic surroundings on the Thames in Wandsworth Park.This exciting and challenging Putting Course has been specially designed to suit all abilities from the novice to the experienced golfer. It’s great fun for all ages so the whole family can play.
Find out more at: www.puttinthepark.com
Schools
In Putney and the surrounding areas there are a wide variety of schools for children of all ages. Rather than singling out just a few, the best place to get a comprehensive overview of what is available is this website devoted to our local area: www.putneysw15.com or their dedicated page; www.putneysw15.com/community/schoolintro.htmOpen Spaces
In Putney we are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by so much open space. Wandsworth Park, between Putney Bridge Road and the River, is extremely handy for anyone east of the High Street. To the west of Putney there is Putney and Barnes Common. While at the top of Putney Hill there is Putney Heath, which is divided from Wimbledon Common only by the A3.Comprising of approximately 2,360 acres, Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London. Originally created by Charles I as a deer park for hunting, it offers wonderful landscapes every season of the year, making it perfect for summer picnics, cycling, running, walking the dog or just enjoying nature.
It is also home to the Royal Ballet School at White Lodge (originally a hunting lodge) and there is a Golf Course open to the Public. One part not to miss in spring is the Isabella Plantation, an enclosed area with a wonderful display of azaleas and camellias. If you’re exhausted after trekking around the park, pop in to Pembroke Lodge for refreshments or some afternoon tea perhaps?
The Boat Race
Mention Putney to most people and the main thing they will know it for is as the starting place for the boat race. A typically British institution it is a rowing race between teams of 8 rowers each from Oxford and Cambridge universities. The first race was in 1829 and then annually every years except during the two world wars.It is an extremely popular event, attracting about a quarter of a million people each year to spectate the race along the 4.2-mile course. BBC TV cover the event and one memorable year the commentator famously said, as the boats came into his view, “I cannot quite see who is in the lead, it is either Oxford or Cambridge.”