Teddington named best place to live in London

Teddington has been named the best place to live in London.

The southwest suburb, in the borough of Richmond, was praised for its community spirit, independent shops and cafés, as well as its location near the Thames and the green expanse of Bushy Park.

It saw off competition from rival locations in the capital including Walthamstow, Muswell Hill and Nunhead and was described as hitting the “sweet spot between practical and aspirational”.

It was one of 78 towns, villages and suburbs that made the Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide, with Stroud in Gloucestershire topping the overall list.

Tim Palmer, who was one of the judges involved in selecting the locations, said Teddington’s access to “outdoor space” during a year of lockdown made it stand out from the competition.

He said: “When the only entertainment is going for a jog, cycle or walk – with or without the dog – you want to make sure it’s a good one and there are so many to choose from here, from the banks of the Thames and Bushy Park to the lovely Woodland Gardens.

“Teddington High Street nails the sweet spot between practical and aspirational and, unlike some of its neighbours, has managed to keep the lights on during the pandemic.”

The judges also hailed the area’s solid schools, with 45 primaries rated as either good or outstanding by Ofsted, and its transport links with regular trains to Clapham Junction and Waterloo and Heathrow Airport only 20 minutes away.

Sunday Times property editor Helen Davies said the rise in working from home fuelled by the pandemic meant the judges had looked for different qualities this year.

She said: “Our focus for this year has been community, countryside and convenience. It hasn’t been a year for big cities or small villages.”