Colliers Wood shares the SW19 postcode with Wimbledon. This up-and-coming area, one of south-west London’s best kept secrets, is undergoing an exciting period of transformation. With its mix of traditional and modern residential properties, it offers more for your money than its affluent neighbour. No wonder it’s rapidly becoming a go-to destination for families and young professionals alike.
DINING OUT
Take your pick from the Istanbul Meze Mangal for the tastiest delights of Turkish cooking, or keep the whole family happy at Corleone Pizza, Canedo or if Japanese is more your thing then book a table at Rockstar Sushi Bar. You’ll find there’s a handy Nandos here too, as well as locally-owned Time Out award winner, Coffee in the Wood. Alternatively take a walk to Merton Abbey Mills for a variety of cuisines from Thai to Jamaican, all washed down with a pint from the Wimbledon Brewery. And before you come home, remember to pick up something from renowned delicatessen Cut and Cured.
WATERING HOLES
There’s a big beer garden and riverside terrace on the Wandle at the William Morris Pub. Equally appealing is the Holden pub, with its fantastic outdoor space, and a kitchen and herb garden. It’s great for meeting up with visiting friends too because it’s right opposite the tube station. And if you plan to make a night of it, start out with a cocktail at Istanbul Meze, which also offers a shisha bar and serves non-alcoholic drinks.
CULTURE & HERITAGE
Colliers Wood takes its name from a forested area that stood to the east of the High Street until the mid-1890s. It’s home to a 12th Century ruin, Merton Priory, where in 1437 Henry VI became the only English king of the last millennium to be crowned outside Westminster Abbey. Also notable is Merton Abbey Mills, one of London’s oldest heritage sites, with a theatre dating back over 400 years. Its site on the River Wandle is of genuine ecological value — not least for its population of eels which are collected, counted and measured every week, with research findings reported to London Zoo. It’s also the home of London’s only working watermill — one of just four in the country — as well as a community of creative artists and award-winning food producers.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Immerse yourself in the vibrant community life of Colliers Wood. Join communal ukulele orchestras and become part of a thriving choir community. The Colliers Wood Community Centre offers a spectrum of learning opportunities, from dance classes to badminton, climbing walls, and ladies' keep-fit classes. Unleash your artistic flair by joining the communal art group, or your gardening skills in the Parks and Green Spaces group. There is even a Colliers Wood Honey. Colliers Wood invites you to elevate your sense of community while nurturing your passions and interests
SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES
With two retail parks — the Tandem Centre and Priory Retail Park — there really is no need to shop further afield. Located a few minutes’ walk from the high street and with lots of free parking, they offer a wide range of stores including Next, Boots, New Look, WH Smiths, Holland & Barratt, TK Maxx and Dunelm. On top of that, come to Colliers Wood and you’ll find convenient food shopping options such as a large Sainsbury’s plus one of London’s biggest Marks & Spencer stores along with value shopping option of Aldi & Lidl, complete with fashion, food and furniture departments.
Talking of furnishing, if you’ve just moved into a new place home improvements are a breeze here. Wickes is nearby on the Lombard Trading estate, while Colliers Wood High Street is the home of a huge selection of bathroom brands at Burge & Gunson. And next door to that there’s an amazing selection of floor and wall tiles, wood flooring and carpets at Style Interior.
GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL
There are three parks in Colliers Wood: a recreation ground; the 45,000 sq metres of the National Trust-owned Wandle Park; and the more informal Wandle Meadow Nature Park. Colliers Wood Recreation Ground itself was nominated for a Green Flag Award — the mark of a well-maintained green space with excellent facilities.
FROM HERE TO….
July 2010 saw the opening of the first Barclays Cycle Superhighway. This 8.5 mile CS7 bicycle lane links Colliers Wood to Southwark Bridge in the centre of London, with a pedalling time of around 45 minutes. Meanwhile, the lazier or crazier ones amongst us can count on the Northern Line tube — more so, now that it also runs for 24 hours at weekends.
EDUCATION
Rated outstanding by Ofsted, Willows pre-school and the expanding primary school, Singlegate, are top options for the youngest members of the family along with the new Harris Academy secondary school due to open in September 2020. And because you’re never too old to learn, Colliers Wood Community Centre is a hot spot for ‘Strictly' fans, with classes in the waltz, quickstep, rumba, foxtrot, Argentinian tango and more, available to all. Ballet for adults is on offer too — courtesy of Royal Ballet-trained Bethany, who used to dance with the world famous Matthew Bourne company.