Barnes is a true London village, known for its community atmosphere and the sense that you could be living in far more rural settings than exist a mere half hour from Central London. This desirable area has abundant green space and waterways, and a wide selection of lovely, large period houses - add in its good state and independent schools, and you have the winning formula for attracting families.
Barnes has a village atmosphere, and is popular with young families. People do tend to stay within the area once they have moved here, either trading up or down as needed. There is a significant Swedish population in the area, because of the Swedish school. The area has an abundance of local businesses.
Barnes is a safe place to live, with the wider surrounding area being rated as having average crime for London by the Met police. The 2014/2015 crime rate and violence against the person rate were both significantly lower in Barnes than in London as a whole. The nearest high-crime hotspot is separated from Barnes by Hammersmith Bridge.
Parking is not especially an issue in this area, and car ownership is fairly high, at about one car per household. Though road links are good, there are issues with traffic congestion in the area, including on the South Circular and the area's bridges.
Barnes has a good selection of local pubs and restaurants. Across the bridge in Hammersmith, there's more going on. Transport links are fair, but not excellent, for late-night travel.
This area is popular with families because of its village atmosphere, which is enhanced by there being a lot of green and open space in this area - including the vast Putney Lower Common, several recreation centres, the London Wetland Centre, and Beverley Brook, as well as the Thames. Housing is varied, but includes many larger homes that would be suitable for families. Barnes also has very good state and private schools, including a Swedish school. The percentage of children living in this area is about on par with the London rate of one in five residents being a child aged 0-15.
There is a wide range of accommodation in this area, much of which would be suitable for pets. There is also a lot of green and open space in this Barnes, including the vast Putney Lower Common, several recreation centres, the London Wetland Centre, and Beverley Brook, as well as the Thames.
Barnes is in Zone 3 and is served by national rail services at Barnes Bridge and Barnes stations. East Putney is relatively nearby for access to the District Line, while Hammersmith station is just over Hammersmith Bridge (reachable by bus), and is on the Piccadilly, District, Circle, and Hammersmith & City lines. The area is fairly well-served by local buses. Road links are good, and include the South Circular and Hammersmith & Putney Bridges, but traffic congestion can be an issue here.