East Dulwich, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Teddington in best places to live

Muddy Stilettos has released the very highly anticipated list of top 300 places to live across the UK, comprising of locations from rural villages to seaside towns and city spots.

The list rates locations on account of their local attractions, schools, travel links and local shopping, providing a comprehensive guide to any would-be buyer looking for a new home.

10 locations across London were named as some of the best to live for 2025, including four south London areas – East Dulwich, Wandsworth, Wimbledon and Teddington.

Here’s why:

East Dulwich

East Dulwich is a green, leafy neighbourhood on the borders of south and south east London known for its art galleries, independent shops and green spaces.

East Dulwich is a green, leafy neighbourhood on the borders of south and south east London. (Image: Contributor) It also has good travel links to central London from East Dulwich station, with a train ride to London Victoria taking 30 minutes via Southern and Southeastern services.

This popular area was described by Muddy Stilettos as a “cool” place to live, on account of its cultural value and food scene, with food markets and “notable restaurants”.

This popular area was described by Muddy Stilettos as a “cool” place to live, on account of its cultural value and food scene. (Image: Contributor)

Lordship Lane, with its variety of shops, pubs and restaurants to peruse, was also given a mention, which is where you’ll also find award-winning vegan Sri Lankan restaurant and café Trinco that won the Best Café award at the Good Food Awards 2024.

The area is also popular for art lovers with its array of street artists like Conor Harrington and Stik, along with Dulwich Picture Gallery, a 19th century structure built by Sir John Sloane featuring a collection of 17th and 18th century artwork.

The area is also popular for art lovers with its array of street artists like Conor Harrington and Stik. (Image: Contributor) It’s also a great place for families with local nurseries and an “unusually high number of quality schools" including Harris Primary School, which was rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and Butterfly Lane East Dulwich Nursery, located near many local parks and libraries as well as the popular Horniman Museum.

Wandsworth

Moving over to south London, Wandsworth was named as another of London’s best places to live on account of its “Michelin-starred restaurants” and “picturesque common”.

Neighbouring Clapham, Balham and Battersea, Wandsworth is known for its Victorian and Edwardian homes and riverside walks.

Wandsworth was named as another of London’s best places to live on account of its “Michelin-starred restaurants” and “picturesque common”. (Image: Wandsworth Council) Wandsworth also offers convenient travel links to central London by train from Wandsworth Town station and Wandsworth Common station, and is also a 45-minute drive to Central London via the A3205.

But if you fancy a more scenic way to commute, you can also take a 50-minute boat ride on the Thames from Wandsworth pier to Embankment.

If you fancy a more scenic way to commute, you can also take a 50-minute boat ride on the Thames from Wandsworth pier to Embankment. (Image: Wandsworth Council) For places to eat, Wandsworth is known for its Michelin-starred restaurants, with special mention paid to Chez Bruce with its celebratory atmosphere and “exceptionally good cheeseboard”.

But if it’s pubs you’re after, The Ship with its bustling summer terrace and cosy log fires inside is a great place to visit in all seasons.

Wandsworth is known for its Victorian and Edwardian homes and riverside walks. (Image: Wandsworth Council)

Wimbledon

The third south London neighbourhood to feature in this year's London winners was Wimbledon.

Known for hosting the popular summer tennis tournament, making it a hotspot for celebrity spotting, Wimbledon is a popular and highly coveted area to live, with the average house costing a whopping £850,000.

Known for hosting the popular summer tennis tournament, Wimbledon is a popular and highly coveted area to live. (Image: Amy Clarke) But it’s not just tennis that makes this area so popular, the neighbourhood is known for its Victorian houses and popular common, which houses an 19th century windmill.

The neighbourhood is known for its Victorian houses and popular common, which houses an 19th century windmill. (Image: Amy Clarke) Wimbledon also has its own theatre showing an array of popular touring shows, along with its plethora of coffee shops and restaurants, with honorary mentions made to 21 Grams for its “rustic” and “Instagram-worthy” aesthetic, as well as Hemingways cocktail bar where you can get cocktails served in top hats with a serving of live music.

Wimbledon has a plethora of coffee shops and restaurants. (Image: Amy Clarke) But if it’s shopping you're after, Wimbledon Village was also recommended, offering shoppers a wide choice of stores, including its upmarket charity shop Shelter, where you might bag yourself a bargain.

Teddington

Located a short way from Hampton Court, Teddington is an ideal spot for any would-be homeowner looking for that countryside feel whilst still having a London postcode.

Teddington was featured for its “pretty high street” and “scenic river” along with its “friendly community“.

Teddington is just a 45-minute train ride to Central London from Teddington to London Victoria and is also an hour's drive from London.

For anyone looking for a spot of shopping, the high street offers a variety of stores from book shopping at Fara Books to gift shopping at The Loft.

If you’re looking for schools, Teddington boasts several schools rated Outstanding by Ofsted including St Mary's and St Peter's Church of England Primary School and Collis Primary School.