Southfields
Until the late 1800s, the South fields were just that - fields lying between the established villages of Putney and Wimbledon, and forming part of the old Manor of Dunsford. Some of the pathways across the fields eventually became the major roads that now go through the heart of Southfields itself, notably the long straight Wimbledon Park Road that lies on the direct line between Wimbledon Village and what is now Wandsworth. The area started to develop as a new hamlet and then village itself when the District & London & South Western Railway was built between Wimbledon and Putney Bridge with a stop in the now named Southfields.
Today, Southfields is a very sought-after residential area reflecting London residential prices, whilst offering a highly cosmopolitan and wide age-ranging population representing or originating from many countries across the globe, both near and far. It sits within the London Borough of Wandsworth where the Council currently sets one of the lowest Council Tax rates in the country. Southfields station is now part of the London Underground system (Zone 3) on the Wimbledon branch of the District Line and is used heavily by commuters into central London. Wimbledon station is on the main rail line that spreads across the area south-west of London with frequent services into London Waterloo and a Thameslink service to the City - the same station building serving both rail and underground services. For road drivers, the main arterial road A3 to Portsmouth runs right through the middle of the Borough, as does part of the South Circular Road.
To the east of Southfields lie Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common and the extensive Richmond Park. The Wimbledon Tennis Championships are hosted by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) on Church Road, the southern end of Wimbledon Park Road, with Southfields station being the nearest arrival/departure point for the thousands of visitors that attend the event each year. This benefits substantially the many restaurants, coffee shops and convenience stores that are located around the station.
