Home to the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and the Wombles, Wimbledon has been named as the most searched location in London for wannabe homeowners in 2025.
The capital’s top 10 most searched spots on Rightmove, released this morning, is dominated by south-west London after more than a decade of soaring demand to live in the fashionable (and arguably more affordable) eastern side of the city.
Wimbledon, Fulham and Chiswick make up the top three most searched locations by homebuyers this year.
Celebrity-studded Hampstead and Chelsea complete the top five, followed by Clapham, Canary Wharf, Walthamstow, Richmond and Battersea to form the 10 most searched areas this year on the property portal.
Over the last 15 years, the Olympic effect and widespread regeneration of Stratford, Hackney and parts of the Lea Valley has coincided with a natural migration to outer east London as first time buyers and second steppers went in search of more space at lower house prices, moving into pockets such as Dalston, Stoke Newington and Walthamstow.
The average house price in Walthamstow has risen by 143.2 per cent since January 2010 (Land Registry) compared with 50.3 per cent in Hammersmith and Fulham.
So, while the east London bubble has not necessarily burst, the price gap between the two has narrowed, explains Dominic Agace, boss of Winkworth. “Those areas historically more established as higher value areas are finding their feet again as they represent comparative value after years of no growth, with all the benefits for good schools and an enviable lifestyle,” he says.
Of course, this is a list that reflects both fantasy and reality, as people first explore the areas where they want to live before prices force them to purchase further down the train or tube line. We all can dream is the Rightmove mantra.
Homes & Property takes a tour around the top five most searched pockets of London in 2025.
Average house price: £841,989
Wimbledon and Putney Commons lead into Richmond Park and Ham Common with miles of walking, cycling and horse-riding tracks across the adjoining green spaces.
With the quaint, rambling architecture of Wimbledon Village high street, Wimbledon feels as though it could be in Surrey or Sussex and yet the District Line connects straight into central London, and there’s the tram too. For Peter Woods of John D Wood & Co, it has the lifestyle benefits of Richmond but without the noise from the Heathrow flights paths.
Wimbledon has a mix of independent and popular chains
Daniel Lynch
“The village offers a mix of well-loved independent stores and popular chains like Megan’s and local pubs such as the Dog & Fox,” he says. “Schools are a major reason why people settle here for the long term with Chase Primary and Bishop Gilpin among the most sought-after in southwest London.”
Lindsay Cuthill, founder of the Blue Book Agency, describes Fulham as close to Chelsea, but less showy. “That understated, lived-in quality is a big part of people warm to it so quickly.”
Although the average house price is teetering on the £1 million threshold, it is a stone’s throw from Kensington, but house prices here go much further. The average value in Kensington is £1,249,415. Families therefore spill over into Fulham to secure the forever home.
“Fulham feels like a self-contained village in the city. You have everything on the doorstep – great schools, independent restaurants, green spaces and quick links into the West End and the City,” says Martina Lo Magno of John D Wood. She is seeing the bank of mum and dad helping adult children settle in family homes here because it feels safe — “we recently sold a house on Brookville Road for exactly that reason,” she says.
Top 10 areas for homehunters
|
Area |
Asking house price |
|
Wimbledon |
£841,898 |
|
Fulham |
£992,348 |
|
Chiswick |
£871,569 |
|
Hampstead |
£1,322,671 |
|
Chelsea |
£1,796,908 |
|
Clapham |
£727,383 |
|
Canary Wharf |
£629,609 |
|
Walthamstow |
£533,397 |
|
Richmond upon Thames |
£1,137,560 |
|
Battersea |
£1,004,244 |
The properties in Chiswick range from Tudor-style homes to Victorian terraces to 1970s marina-style waterside developments.
“It was once overlooked but is now considered one of London’s most well-rounded neighbourhoods,” says Mani Sheibani of John D Wood. The high street is buzzing with brands such as Ole & Steen, independent bakeries, and cafes and there’s a strong community vibe, she continues.
Bedford Park is popular with families, where a one-bedroom apartment can cost £700,000 and a family house typically starts at around £1,500,000. Chiswick is popular with downsizers too moving back into London who want amenities in walking distance and the West End on the doorstep.
Wannabe Hampstead homebuyers trawl Rightmove dreaming of walking home via the Heath, swimming in the ponds, having a pint in the Holly Bush or catching a glimpse of Harry Styles.
“This is one of London’s most desirable urban villages. History is part of its appeal. Writers artists and thinkers have lived here and you can still see that influence in the architecture, the streets and its character,” says Becky Fatemi of Sotheby’s International Realty.
“The views from the top of Parliament Hill are some of the best in London and yet you can be in the centre of the action within 20 minutes,” says Scott Joseph of Anderson Rose. “
Those who want a countryside vibe rather than a city one that is buzzy and suffocating, NW3 is the place for you,” he adds.
There is a large price range from the Sloane Square end of Chelsea and Lots Road towards Wandsworth. Here, apartments listed on Rightmove start from £495,000 while there is a five-bedroom terraced property on Cadogan Gardens with an asking price of £16,950 (on with Beauchamp Estates).
With wealthy international buyers largely missing from the market, due to the punitive tax environment, London’s domestic family buyers are facing less competition and taking their chance to purchase a home in this prestigious neighbourhood.
“The richness of the fabric of Chelsea has an enduring appeal that will ride the waves of political change. The world-class schools, shops of the Kings Road, and the restaurants are hard to replicate anywhere else,” says Jamie Hope of Maskells.
Locals love the Duke of York Square farmer’s market on a Saturday morning and a grabbing a coffee from the Roasting Party on Pavillion Road, according to Toto Lambert of The Buying Solution.
Rightmove’s most searched rental locations in London follow a similar pattern, Clapham, Fulham, Battersea and Wimbledon are all in the top five. This time Canary Wharf comes first as finance workers moving to new jobs in Canary Wharf try and find apartments close to the office.
Top 10 areas for London renters
|
Area |
Average asking rent (per month) |
|
Canary Wharf |
£3,393 |
|
Clapham |
£2,845 |
|
Fulham |
£3,857 |
|
Battersea |
£4,128 |
|
Wimbledon |
£3,220 |
|
Marylebone |
£5,261 |
|
Chiswick |
£3,166 |
|
Notting Hill |
£4,217 |
|
Chelsea |
£5,593 |
|
Hackney |
£2,750 |