Martha’s guidebook
Food scene
Newly owned and renovated, this South African pub serves delicious pints and traditional braai-fired food. Food and drinks are reasonably priced, with pints starting from £4.95 and food ranging from light bites to full sharing platters.
The pub itself is full of character, with welcoming staff and friendly locals. The pub is dog-friendly, and you can normally expect to see at least one well-behaved pup. There's also a lovely, large beer garden (rare for London) although it may currently be undergoing renovation.
There are often weekday lunch deals, and a brilliantly fun pub quiz every Wednesday at 8pm (with £100 bar tab up for grabs)!
10 locals recommend
The Park Tavern
212 Merton RdNewly owned and renovated, this South African pub serves delicious pints and traditional braai-fired food. Food and drinks are reasonably priced, with pints starting from £4.95 and food ranging from light bites to full sharing platters.
The pub itself is full of character, with welcoming staff and friendly locals. The pub is dog-friendly, and you can normally expect to see at least one well-behaved pup. There's also a lovely, large beer garden (rare for London) although it may currently be undergoing renovation.
There are often weekday lunch deals, and a brilliantly fun pub quiz every Wednesday at 8pm (with £100 bar tab up for grabs)!
Absolutely phenomenal curry house, with exceptionally reasonable prices. Just round the corner from the house, don't miss the opportunity to try some authentic cuisine, right on the doorstep! The restaurant also does takeaways, if you'd rather have a cosy night in.
Kathmandu Valley
5 West HillAbsolutely phenomenal curry house, with exceptionally reasonable prices. Just round the corner from the house, don't miss the opportunity to try some authentic cuisine, right on the doorstep! The restaurant also does takeaways, if you'd rather have a cosy night in.
Lovely little Italian place, just past Southfields station. The food has always been good, with delicious and authentic Italian flavours, complemented by a decent wine list. The pasta dishes are just fantastic, and there's enough choice on the menu to suit most dietary requirements. It's worth noting, however, that this is nothing like the American Olive Garden chain!
30 locals recommend
Olive Crown
3 Clapham Common South SideLovely little Italian place, just past Southfields station. The food has always been good, with delicious and authentic Italian flavours, complemented by a decent wine list. The pasta dishes are just fantastic, and there's enough choice on the menu to suit most dietary requirements. It's worth noting, however, that this is nothing like the American Olive Garden chain!
Park
Especially good for children, this large suburban park has tennis courts and a playground, with swings, slides, and more! It also provides a picturesque cut through to a large Sainsbury's and the Southside Centre, where you can find shops, a cinema, restaurants, and more.
King George's Park (Stop H) station
Especially good for children, this large suburban park has tennis courts and a playground, with swings, slides, and more! It also provides a picturesque cut through to a large Sainsbury's and the Southside Centre, where you can find shops, a cinema, restaurants, and more.
Putt in the Park is good fun, but we're actually recommending Wandsworth Common. It's a lovely, large park, with gorgeous views of the Thames, and a riverside walk. Approx. 10mins walk from the house, this is a small slice of country in the middle of the city. Walking through will also take you to the bustle of Putney High Street, where you can find many pubs and restaurants on the riverside.
39 locals recommend
Putt in the Park
Albert Bridge RoadPutt in the Park is good fun, but we're actually recommending Wandsworth Common. It's a lovely, large park, with gorgeous views of the Thames, and a riverside walk. Approx. 10mins walk from the house, this is a small slice of country in the middle of the city. Walking through will also take you to the bustle of Putney High Street, where you can find many pubs and restaurants on the riverside.
Wimbledon itself is wonderful, with lots of lively pubs, restaurants, and cinemas. A short walk up the hill will take you into Wimbledon Village, where you can find chic shops, artisan bakeries, and couture fashion. Walk a little further, and you'll find yourself on the wide expanses of Wimbledon Common. As the largest expanse of heathland in London at more than 1,000 acres, it's easy to get lost for a few hours, before stumbling across a pub for a hearty lunch. It includes a windmill, several ponds and lakes, the remains of an Iron Age fort, two nature reserves, and is also a dedicated conservation area. Try to find the lake in the middle, or enjoy the views from the cafe by the carpark - there's something for everyone!
Wimbledon
The BroadwayWimbledon itself is wonderful, with lots of lively pubs, restaurants, and cinemas. A short walk up the hill will take you into Wimbledon Village, where you can find chic shops, artisan bakeries, and couture fashion. Walk a little further, and you'll find yourself on the wide expanses of Wimbledon Common. As the largest expanse of heathland in London at more than 1,000 acres, it's easy to get lost for a few hours, before stumbling across a pub for a hearty lunch. It includes a windmill, several ponds and lakes, the remains of an Iron Age fort, two nature reserves, and is also a dedicated conservation area. Try to find the lake in the middle, or enjoy the views from the cafe by the carpark - there's something for everyone!
Beautiful botanical gardens, full of wildlife, flowers, and natural beauty. There is a little cafe within the park, that serves lovely light bites and tea, plus some excellent pubs just around the corner (The Hand in Hand is a personal favourite!). Enjoy a quiet stroll around, enjoying the peace and taking in a slice of heaven.
27 locals recommend
Cannizaro Park
35 HIGH STREETBeautiful botanical gardens, full of wildlife, flowers, and natural beauty. There is a little cafe within the park, that serves lovely light bites and tea, plus some excellent pubs just around the corner (The Hand in Hand is a personal favourite!). Enjoy a quiet stroll around, enjoying the peace and taking in a slice of heaven.
Spacious garden, with heated areas, and a lively scene
Often lots going on here, with music nights and other events held. Decent range of food and drinks, with reasonable prices. Nice place to chill with a pint.
16 locals recommend
The King's Arms Wandsworth
94-96 Wandsworth High StOften lots going on here, with music nights and other events held. Decent range of food and drinks, with reasonable prices. Nice place to chill with a pint.
Sightseeing
Although not quite the same as it used to be, Camden is still an excellent market to visit. Filled to bursting with quirky independent stalls, pop-up restaurants, bars, and more commercial shops/offerings, you're sure to find something you like. It's full of twisty alleyways and hidden nooks and crannies - definitely worth giving at least a half day to, if not more! It's also not too far from London Zoo, so you could combine trips if you wanted!
583 locals recommend
Camden Town
Camden High StreetAlthough not quite the same as it used to be, Camden is still an excellent market to visit. Filled to bursting with quirky independent stalls, pop-up restaurants, bars, and more commercial shops/offerings, you're sure to find something you like. It's full of twisty alleyways and hidden nooks and crannies - definitely worth giving at least a half day to, if not more! It's also not too far from London Zoo, so you could combine trips if you wanted!
Authentic Fresh Delicatessen
This gorgeous little deli is so small, you could easily miss it walking past. Head here for fresh bread, delicious sandwiches made before your eyes, meats, cheeses, and more! It tends to get extremely busy around the lunch period, with queues frequently snaking out of the door and down the street, giving you an idea of its popularity. Don't miss the Merguez sausages - delicious fried and eaten from a crusty baguette!
29 locals recommend
Chanteroy Southfields
233A Wimbledon Park RdThis gorgeous little deli is so small, you could easily miss it walking past. Head here for fresh bread, delicious sandwiches made before your eyes, meats, cheeses, and more! It tends to get extremely busy around the lunch period, with queues frequently snaking out of the door and down the street, giving you an idea of its popularity. Don't miss the Merguez sausages - delicious fried and eaten from a crusty baguette!
City advice
Getting around
Southfields vs. East Putney
When searching tube routes on Google maps or Citymapper, it will always tell you to use Southfields tube station. However, if you are heading into the city centre, we would recommend walking to East Putney instead - we are almost exactly half way between the two, with the walk being about 10-15 minutes either way. East Putney takes you in the direction of the city, and is in zone 2/3 which makes it slightly cheaper.
Book before you go
Aquarium/London Eye etc
It is much cheaper if you book these tickets in advance, and can also help you avoid the long queues. Don't forget to check out South Bank whilst you're in the area! There are lots of quirky pop-ups, street artists, and theatre to catch in the area.
Don't miss
Hidden wonders in South Kensington
Being on the district line means it's an incredibly easy journey to many of the city's landmarks. Hop on at East Putney, and in just a few stops, you'll be at South Kensington - home of The V&A, Natural History Museum, and Science Museum, to name but a few! The three mentioned above are all free to enter, and often have other exhibits for a small fee. We'd recommend looking them up in advance, as many sell out quite quickly, especially at The V&A.
Getting around
Buses run very regularly, with many stops nearby
If you're looking to save a little on travelling around, the local buses are very easy to use. With several stops nearby, there are options to take you to Clapham Junction and beyond, Wimbledon, Putney, Richmond, and even more! You can use your contactless bank card, Apple Pay, or Oyster card to touch on (no cash accepted on public transport), and you can catch multiple buses within one hour at no additional cost. Single journeys cost £2.30, regardless of distance travelled.