Roehampton: A lively and vibrant student town under regeneration

Roehampton is a lively student town located in the suburban district of South-West London.

More specifically, it is located between Barnes and Putney and is also quite close to Wimbledon Common.

It has a rich and varied history that dates right back to the 17th century. Within the borough is Roehampton University, which has undergone significant regeneration and changes over recent years, which looks set to continue.

A number of famous faces have emerged from the area, which has good schools and access to a wealth of pleasant open parklands. It has excellent shopping, and plenty of good restaurants and bars. 

Properties

One of the most charming aspects of Roehampton is undoubtedly the village. In this locality, you can find many picturesque period and Victorian terraced cottages, large and spaces Victorian houses and pretty mews homes.

In addition, you can also find grand semi and detached houses dating back to the Edwardian period as well as the 1930s.

Today, many of those properties have been converted into flats.

In the past, you used to find rows and rows of council houses as far as the eye can see. However, most of those properties are now ex-council owned that have shaken off their public sector image.

Houses in Roehampton are generally quite affordable. For example, listings by Rightmove shows that you can pick up a one bed flat in the area for around £119,000 - which is fairly cheap compared to London standards.

It is also possible to pick up a one-bedroom house for around £242 per week on average and just under £400 a week for a two-bed home.

Regeneration

Roehampton University

Roehampton University has hit the headlines recently for two reasons. The first is the £38 million Roehampton Project which will see new halls of residence and a library built at the university.

The project is part of a larger £80 million upgrade at the university. Chancellor George Osborne unveiled the initiative that aims to provide 388 rooms built around two courtyards on the site.

Work will begin in January 2015 and is expected to be completed in 2016. The library will be completed a year later.

However, Roehampton has also recently been recognised for its educational attainments. New figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency revealed that 92 per cent of first degree graduates were in work or study six months after graduation.

Commenting on the findings, Julie Powell, head of employability and entrepreneurship at the university, said: “It’s very heartening for people graduating later this month to know they will be in such a good position.

“The University of Roehampton is proud to prepare students to be responsible and confident people who are the type of graduates employers want to recruit, and this survey shows we’re clearly doing a good job for our students.”

Investment

Roehampton is set to receive a share of £6.5 million that will be spent on upgrading people’s homes and neighbourhoods.

It will include new windows and roofs, lifts and the installation of heating and hot water systems.

The project will be financed by Wandsworth Council, which will also spend millions on improving and upgrading council estates across the country.

History

As mentioned before, Roehampton has a long and varied history. Located in the London borough of Wandsworth, the area first started to emerge as a residential suburb in the 17 century.

It remained largely unnoticed until the building of Putney Bridge in 1729 and the development of a number of large private estates.

It also has a number of Grade II-listed properties, most of which were constructed in the 1970s.

The area was formerly a village that slowly evolved as a popular residential area for the wealthy within easy reach of London.

Nowadays, it is busy urban centre which is inhabited by people from different types budgets and backgrounds.

Published 25th July, 2014

© 2014 Estates IT Limited