Southfields
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| Southfields | |
|---|---|
| Administration | |
| Borough: | Wandsworth |
| County: | Greater London |
| Region: | Greater London |
| Nation: | England |
| Other | |
| Ceremonial County: | Greater London |
| Traditional County: | Surrey |
| Postal County: | London |
Southfields, south west of central London, is located two stops north of Wimbledon on London Underground's District Line.
Contrary to popular belief, the famous annual Wimbledon tennis championships do not in fact occur in Wimbledon but in Southfields.
Until the late 19th century Southfields was still fields, situated between the more developed villages of Wimbledon and Putney. It had some paths between the fields, which were the basis of the main road that exist today. When the District & London & South Western Railway from Wimbledon to Putney Bridge opened in June 1889, the area started to take off, with the first school opening a year later on Merton Road, one of the main thoroughfares that were formerly paths through fields.
An abstinence law prevented any pubs from being built in the Southfields 'grid' area – so named because of the grid layout of the streets. But since that was lifted in the 1990s two pubs have sprung up next door to each other on Replingham Road.
Once a working class enclave, the area has, like others around it, undergone a transformation in the 1990s, with house prices rising dramatically and the area attracting people from all over due to its excellent transportation links to the District Line and South West Trains as well excellent parks and schools.
During the two weeks of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, many local residents rent out their homes and local shops enjoy a two week boost to sales.