You never thought you’d leave central London.
Inner-city living guaranteed that days were never dull. A devoted urbanite, you’d grown accustomed to being spoilt by the convenience of it all, the wealth of amenities and attractions right under your nose, and the countless opportunities afforded by the city.
But the yearning for more space creeps upon you, and the promise of a slower pace of life grows more appealing. And then the advantages of swapping a cramped terrace for a detached property become clear – along with the guarantee of off-road parking and a spacious garden to enjoy.
You’re looking for a lifestyle change, but still want to stay in easy reach of central London and all it offers. So, you start looking for somewhere new – with all that considered, where should you choose to go?
We think Coombe is one of the best places to put down roots (as are the adjacent neighbourhoods). Keep reading for everything you need to know about it, from the heart of Coombe to the attractive surrounding areas.
Coombe is a largely residential neighbourhood in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, which benefits from easy access to both central London and the countryside. It sits between Royal Richmond Park, Wimbledon Common, the historic centre of Kingston upon Thames, Norbiton, and New Malden.
The area takes its name from Coombe House, a stately home built in the 1750s but since demolished. Characterised by wide open spaces, golf courses, parks, woodland, and quiet streets lined with a range of large, detached properties in different architectural styles, Coombe is leafy, community-focused, offering bags of privacy, and well-connected.
Coombe benefits from proximity to Kingston upon Thames and Wimbledon’s shopping and entertainment offerings, with the West End nearby too.
The historic town centre of Kingston upon Thames is renowned for its retail facilities, including Bentalls department store (now, Fenwick Kingston), John Lewis, and multiple independent shops like Antiques of Kingston and Banquet Records. The ancient Kingston Market, open seven days a week, sells fresh fruit, fish, vegetables, food, flowers, and other seasonal produce.
Wimbledon Village boasts a brilliant range of restaurants, cafes, independent shops and fashion boutiques in an attractive high-street setting. It is home to a diverse selection, ranging from fashion destinations like Iris and Trilogy, to beauty products provided by Space NK to the local produce-focused deli Bayley & Sage. Residents also benefit from art galleries, interior design shops, pet and grooming shops, the independently run Wimbledon Books and a Farmers’ Market on a Sunday.
Culture lovers can easily access the West End, but if you live in Coombe, you can also benefit from proximity to a range of first-class performing arts venues in the local area. Look no further than the Rose Theatre in Kingston, the New Wimbledon Theatre and the Polka Theatre (for children) in Wimbledon, and Richmond Theatre and the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond.
If you live in Coombe, you’ll have plenty of access to the rest of central London by car, train and bus. The A3 is easy to reach, connecting you with M25 (which also helps you access Heathrow and Gatwick Airports). There are also multiple train stations to choose from, with New Malden, Norbiton and Raynes Park stations close by. Equally, Wimbledon station to the east has overground services, but also links you to the District Line – and can send you onwards to the heart of London in around 30 minutes. A selection of buses can take you to Kingston in 10-15 minutes, and Wimbledon in around 30 minutes.
In addition to several golf courses (including Coombe Hill Golf Club and Coombe Wood Golf Club), leisure centres, tennis clubs and squash clubs, Coombe residents have access to numerous parks and green open spaces, including Bushy Park, Wimbledon Common, and Richmond Park.
The largest of London’s Royal Parks, Richmond Park, is on the doorstep for Coombe residents. Its nature reserve and deer park offer scenic surroundings and activities, including horse riding, cycling – or even a round of golf at one of the park’s two courses. Some properties in Coombe lie very close to the Richmond Park boundary, which is ideal for those who want to take horse riding lessons in the park, with several local stables allowed access to the grounds.
The River Thames runs through nearby Kingston, offering the perfect setting for riverside walks, relaxation and picnics – as well as many water-based sports and activities.
Coombe benefits from a good selection of well-regarded state and private schools, especially in Kingston and Wimbledon. Coombe Hill Junior School (rated ‘Outstanding’) is an excellent, local option. Equally, Coombe is home to the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rated Coombe Girls’ School, and is located in the designated inner-area for sought-after state grammars Tiffin School and Tiffin Girls School.
Holy Cross Preparatory School, Rokeby Preparatory School for Boys and Marymount International School are three of the best private schools in the area, situated on the same road. There’s a steady stream of school buses and public transport available, with buses able to take pupils onwards to schools in Putney and Surbiton, which are just a short distance away.
Want to find out more? Explore the best streets in Coombe and discover the range of property types in Coombe.
Coombe is especially popular with families who want to live close to the area’s outstanding schools, have a garden for their children, and benefit from the recreational facilities, golf courses and parks on their doorstep. Typical buyers are families from south west London who are keen to put down roots and find a bigger home – and yet still want to stay within easy reach of London.
Objects and coins discovered in the area reveal that Coombe dates back to the Roman invasion. Coombe earned a mention in the Domesday Book, where it is referred to as ‘Cumbe’. Its assets included four ploughs and 12 acres of meadow – worth the once princely sum of £8!
In 1215, King John awarded Coombe to the nobleman Hugh de Nevill, and by 1260, the area was known as Coombe Nevill. Close to what is now Coombe Wood Golf Club, the Coombe Neville cul-de-sac and nearby Neville Avenue pay homage to the historic landowner. By 1837, it had passed to the Duke of Cambridge, and the area began its journey towards the modern community we recognise today. Yet it holds onto its heritage, with flourishes of period architecture, woodland and open green space interspersed throughout the area.
Coombe’s historical claims to fame range from royal visitors to an infamous highwayman. Here are a few to consider…
The list of famous Coombe residents is varied, including British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, the Forsyte Saga novelist John Galsworthy, racing driver Malcolm Campbell, and his son – the one-time world water speed record holder Donald Campbell. A blue plaque on Coombe House in Devey Close commemorates Australian soprano Dame Nellie Melba, who lived there in 1906. US President Dwight D Eisenhower even lived at Telegraph Cottage on Warren Road for a time during World War II.
If you are considering moving to Coombe, contact local estate agent Robert Holmes. We will be happy to help you find a home in this secluded London community.
Let us know what you are looking for in your new home and we will tailor our search to your requirements.
Book a quick phone consultation with one of our negotiators.
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