Quaint, quiet, and quintessential villages are few and far between in London. But I can confirm that they do, in fact, exist. And one of them is now officially home to the best high street in the country, according to a recent study conducted by the property-pros over at Knight Frank.
The team at Knight Frank scoured the length and breadth of the country, scoping out the nation’s ‘top premium high streets’ as they went. In a bid to develop a data-driven approach to the rankings, the top high streets were put under the microscope, and evaluated based on factors including variety of shops, presence of well-regarded brands, and indicators of resilience. The study shone a light on specific areas that display a strong sense of community, solid economic vitality, and long-lasting appeal (characteristics that are surprisingly hard to come by these days).
Once all the numbers were thoroughly crunched, Knight Frank created a handy list of the five best high streets in the UK. And we’re ever so pleased (and only a little bit smug) to reveal that the top three high streets on the list are all right here in the capital city.
The best high street in the UK
Perched at the top of a hill in everybody’s favourite south-west London suburb is Wimbledon Village. Seamlessly blending the vibes of a village with the atmosphere of a city; Wimbledon Village topped the high-street charts and was named the best in the UK. Praised for its unique atmosphere, its diverse array of shops, and its ‘village-like feel’; it’s safe to say that this gorgeous little corner of the capital is well worth traversing the breadth of the District Line for.
Wimbledon Village is home to an eclectic mixture of shops, pubs, and eateries; boasting big brands like Gail’s and The Ivy as well as beloved independent stores such as Wimbledon Books, Bayley & Sage, the ad lib Gallery, and Boho Beach Fest. The high street itself is lined with historic buildings and beautiful architecture, it’s just a stone’s throw from the leafy green likes of Wimbledon Common, and the sense of community is unmatched. People actually greet each other in the street. Who’d have thought it?
The best high streets in the UK (according to Knight Frank):
- Wimbledon Village, London
- St John’s Wood, London
- Hampstead, London
- Marlow, Buckinghamshire
- Clifton Village, Bristol
You can read Knight Frank’s full findings here.