HOM-B
Is Whitton Richmond’s best-kept secret? Discover why this historic and affordable London neighbourhood is rising in popularity!
.jpg)
HOM-B
I think we all know we’re a little bit spoilt in the London Borough of Richmond. To our mind there really is nowhere better to live in the capital.
It has everything – beautiful green spaces connecting us to wildlife (just look at Richmond Park); not just a rich history, but a place in the tapestry of our national history too (see Hampton Court and the ruins of Richmond Palace); epic national sporting events (see Twickenham Stadium); easy access into The City of London (take the District Line to Monument in just over 40 minutes), or to Central London (just over a quarter of an hour, taking the overground from Richmond to Waterloo).
We’ve got Kew Gardens – and we’ve got Kew Market, for that matter; we’ve got the River Thames of course, and all that riverside charm; we’ve got thriving high streets and centres for business and commerce of our own.
I suppose the only thing we haven’t got is a top flight football team; Ted Lasso was a work of fiction, folks! Although if you enjoy your non-league football, head down to Hampton & Richmond Borough FC, or to Richmond & Kew FC - both with men’s and women’s teams…
We’ve also got exceptional schools in the area, both independent as well as state schools and academies.
It’s no wonder to us then, that we consistently get voted as one of the happiest places to live in the UK, and so often the happiest of the London boroughs.
It is also no wonder, with so many perks, that Richmond Borough is one of the least affordable places to live in the UK, with average house prices around 17 times the average local income.
But if you are searching the West London property market for a property in Richmond, Twickenham and Teddington, are you missing out on the perfect place, perhaps because of outdated perceptions?
In this week’s blog, I want to shine a light on what is a perhaps misunderstood part of our borough – and too often overlooked. That neighbourhood is Whitton.
Could Whitton be Richmond’s best kept secret? Let’s take a closer look…
I grew up in Whitton—so it truly is my old stomping ground. It’s one of those areas that has long slipped under the radar, but I believe it’s on the verge of becoming the next sought-after neighbourhood.
It is a neighbourhood on the western edge of the Borough, just under a three mile walk via Twickenham to Richmond itself. It is also around two miles North of Hampton Hill and approximately two miles South of Hounslow, from where it is incredibly easy to reach Heathrow Airport via public transport.
It is a historic neighbourhood, with roots stretching back to ancient times – the remains of an iron age furnace and archaeological signs of the existence of a Roundhouse were unearthed here by an excavation in 1999. In more modern historical terms though, it formed a rural part of Twickenham in the ancient county of Middlesex, being part of an Anglo-Saxon Manor in the 11th century and then part of the Norman ‘Hundred’ of Twickenham after 1066.
A large Manor House was built here in the 17th century, which still stands today as Kneller Hall, which went on to become a Victorian era Teacher Training College and then later the Royal Military School of Music.
By this time, Whitton had become famous for its market gardens, producing roses, narcissi and lilies of the valley, as well as an abundance of apples, plums and pears from its expansive orchards – and in fact, until as recently as the 1920s it was very much a village surrounded by open fields that separated it from other areas.
Nevertheless, its market gardens and the open fields rapidly gave way to housing following the coming of the railway in the 19th century and, in particular, following the opening of Whitton Station in 1930 – and that is where our modern story of Whitton really takes off.
There is a small amount of mid-19th century housing in the centre of Whitton, but over three quarters of the town’s housing is made up of 1930s homes – increasingly popular amongst buyers at the moment (as I heard someone say recently, ‘1930’s is the new Victorian’!).
The train station is perhaps one of the key draws for the area, which until the 1930s would have been serviced only by other local stations. Whitton Station offers direct overground trains through to Waterloo Station via Richmond – or, heading west out of the city to Reading.
As well as good public transport links, it is straightforward to head out by car, ideal for access to the M25 and M3.
Whitton has one of the best preserved 1930s high streets in the UK, and is now home to a number of independent boutique shops, from jewellers and fashion retailers to specialty stores, as well as independent delis, cafés, restaurants and bars. It is a relaxed and friendly area with a cosmopolitan and increasingly urban-chic vibe that appeals to the modern middle class.
As well as this, schooling options have improved massively here over the past couple of decades, not least with the outstanding Turing House School now having moved from its previous site in Teddington to its brand new site here in Whitton, as of April 2022.
This development, as much as anything, is why we at Bartlett and Partners think that prices in Whitton might just start to increase at a faster rate than other parts of the borough.
Over the past year, Whitton has seen an overall average property price of £625,972. The majority of these sales were semi-detached homes, averaging £661,233, with terraced properties fetching around £653,890 – and interestingly, detached homes averaging £636,267. Notably, these figures represent a 2% increase from the previous year and a 4% rise from 2022 (the relevance of which will become apparent in a moment).
These figures are sourced from Rightmove, the UK's largest property comparison site.
Property Prices in Richmond upon Thames
In contrast, the wider Richmond upon Thames area recorded an average property price of £903,821 over the last year. Flats were the most commonly sold property type, with an average price of £531,114. Terraced houses averaged £972,420, and semi-detached properties commanded around £1,193,783. Overall, property prices in Richmond upon Thames experienced a 4% decrease compared to the previous year and a 5% decline from the 2022 peak of £950,270.
Again, this data has been taken from Rightmove.
Comparative Insights
When comparing the two areas, it's clear that Whitton offers more accessible property prices:
These figures highlight Whitton as a compelling option for home-seekers looking to reside within the desirable Richmond borough without the premium price tag – and still with so much to be said for the local amenity and area attributes.
With a price gap this significant, Whitton offers an opportunity that many home-seekers may have overlooked. For those prioritizing space, value for money, and future investment potential, the question isn’t just whether Whitton is affordable now—but whether it will remain so for long.
Market Trends
While Richmond upon Thames has seen a slight downturn in property prices over the past year, Whitton has experienced modest growth.
With Whitton’s steady growth while the wider borough sees a price dip, buyers looking for a smart long-term investment might find this the perfect time to act.
Affordability, strong transport links, and improved local amenities all suggest Whitton is on an upward trajectory.
In summary, for those seeking the benefits of living in the Richmond area—such as excellent schools, green spaces, and vibrant community life—Whitton presents a more budget-friendly alternative without compromising on quality of life.
But how long before prices in Whitton creep up to something more equivalent to the rest of the borough?
This is the question that should pique the interest of property speculators searching for the next up-and-coming hotspot in this sought-after part of London, and where – for better or for worse – property can often represent an investment first, and a home second.
Are you looking for more affordable homes in Richmond? Curious about buying in Whitton? Contact us to find out about our latest listings!
HOM-F
Jan 2025
Darren’s insights
Is it a Buyers Market? And what does it mean for property in Richmond?
.jpg)
.jpg)