Barnes is a lovely, small and welcoming village in London along the banks of the Thames, offering excellent local boutiques and restaurants as well as relaxing green spaces. It is a highly desirable area of London to live in and it is home to a number of high profile celebrities including actors, politicians and broadcasters. It is known for its welcoming community spirit, open spaces and lovely architecture. It only takes 30 minutes to get there from central London, but when you are there you will feel like you are in a peaceful country village.
When you start to explore the village of Barnes you will see that there is a lot to discover here. To get you started on your explorations, here are some ideas of the best things to see and do in Barnes:
Barnes Common
This beautiful expanse of open grassland is a lovely place to relax on a warm summer’s day. In the summer months, the burnet rose bursts into bloom with its rare white flowers. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot green woodpeckers. This area is also popular with dog walkers and joggers and has football and cricket pitches. You will also find a monument built for the memory of rock star Mark Bolan, who was killed in a car crash. It was built by his brother and has been decorated over the years by many passionate fans.
The London Wetland Centre
Escape to this little bit of wilderness, where you will find lakes, meadows, marshland and gardens where birds sing, frogs croak and dragonflies glide through the air. Visit the interpretive centre to learn more about nature or take a walk to experience it first-hand. This is one of the best locations in London for birdwatching and you will have a chance to see many birds including the common sandpiper, the yellow wagtail, the kingfisher and the oystercatcher.
Barnes Green
The main focal point of Barnes Village is the green and the pond. It connects to Barnes Common across Beverly Brook and it attracts a wide range of water birds and other waterside wildlife. It is a very popular attraction with families, as little children love to feed the ducks. It is an ideal place to bring a picnic and enjoy the sunshine. Also, after you have taken a stroll in the Green you can visit the laid back and welcoming Sun Inn Pub just nearby for a refreshing pint.
Shopping in Barnes
Barnes is a lovely and quaint place to shop and you will find a great range of boutiques, home accessory shops, furniture shops and gift stores where you will be able to find shabby chic accessories and vintage furniture. For example, check out Will’s Art Warehouse that offers a great selection of contemporary art for sale. Take an afternoon to slowly stroll through the shops and see what treasures you can find. When you need a break from shopping, you can stop at one of the excellent restaurants and pubs.
Barnes Railway Bridge
This bridge is a landmark in the area and it is one of only three bridges in the city of London that combine pedestrian and rail use. It is an important point in the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, as it is suggested that whichever crew is ahead at the point where they pass under the bridge will be the winner. Take a visit to this bridge to admire the design and to walk across this important part of Barnes history, built in 1849 by the well-known engineer Joseph Locke.
These are just a few of the many fun things that you can do in the neighbourhood of Barnes, London. Take your time when exploring this part of the city, when you give yourself the chance to simply wander you will stumble across plenty of cute cafes, lovely shops, fine restaurants and hidden corners of beauty.
Do you live in Barnes? What do you think are the best things to see in this London village? Please feel free to share your tips for exploring Barnes with us in the comments below.