Raynes Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Raynes Park is a primarily residential suburb within the London Borough of Merton, situated between Wimbledon and New Malden. It is 8.2 miles (13.2 km) south-west of Charing Cross.
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[edit] Geography
Raynes Park is effectively divided into two sections by the Waterloo - Southampton mainline railway which passes through the area on a high embankment. The railway was opened by the London & South Western Railway in May 1838 through what was then open fields. Initially, there was no station and residential development did not begin until the late Victoria era when the westward expansion of Wimbledon reached the area.
The area of Cottenham Park to the north of the station was the first park of Raynes Park to be laid out for development in the 1870s. It takes its named from Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham who lived in Wimbledon until his death in 1851.
It is a typical commuter suburb in that it's relatively prosperous and the residents are mostly middle/lower-middle class. Towards the north and west, either side of the borough boundary with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames are more expensive area of Copse Hill and Coombe with their large detached houses, golf courses and gated lands. Between Raynes Park and nearby Wimbledon is a sprawl of bedsitters and terraced housing, most built between the two world wars in the 1930s when Raynes Park was developing as a suburb. Between the railway and the A3 spur Bushey Road lies a grid of twelve parallel roads known locally as the 'Apostles' although they are not named after the twelve apostles. These roads contain residential Victorian style homes.
The area is significantly under-provided with pubs, counting just four close to the railway embankment. There are few major retail chains — the nearest major shopping area being nearby Wimbledon. Like its near neighbour New Malden, it is not a place one would associate with having a busy nightlife, but residents can easily travel to nearby Wimbledon, Wimbledon village, Kingston or Sutton, London.
[edit] Transport and amenities
Raynes Park station is on the on the National Rail network. The station is at the junction of the branch line heading towards Epsom and Dorking and has four platforms - two served by branch services and two served by the main line. A distinctive local landmark is the station footbridge which spans all four main running lines at an angle of about 45 degrees and links the up platforms (1 & 2, for London) with the down (3 & 4). The south-side (down) entrance to Raynes Park station, at the junction of Approach Road with Grand Drive
Raynes Park also benefits from London bus services running to Streatham, Wimbledon, New Malden, Kingston upon Thames, Colliers Wood and more.
The A238 (Bushey Road), a fast dual carriageway leading off the A3 road, runs through Raynes Park in the direction of central London. That dual carriageway travels past the local branch of the David Lloyd Club, and also past a Tesco Extra. The David Lloyd Tennis club is situated on St. Georges playing field, which homes Raynes Park Vale F.C and plays host to Sunday league football. The field also has other purposes and has in the past held fun fairs and Hindu festival celebrations.
The new public library, which is on Kingston Road, opened in 2006, and is close to Raynes Park railway station.
Nearest Tube Station: Wimbledon
[edit] Other information
Raynes Park Secondary school, the local mixed secondary school, is away from the town centre at Shannon Corner and the A3 flyover. Famous people who went to this school include: Dave Benson-Phillips, Chris Powell, Graham Stuart and Indie Rock band Good Shoes
Wimbledon College, which Paul Merton attended, is situated nearby as is the Edge Hill Explorer scout unit, part of the Ninth Wimbledon Scout Group.
Actor Richard Briers lived in Raynes Park as a child.
Jazz musician Tubby Hayes was originally from Raynes Park, and the publicist Max Clifford lived there for many years.
There is an active Residents' Association which spends much of its time dealing with traffic and planning issues. The new owners of the old London Electricity Board Sports and Social Club (LESSA) playing fields have been refused planning permission for a large housing development partly due the fact the area is marginally on a flood plain.
[edit] External links
- Residents association site
- Raynes Park Residents' Lawn Tennis Club
- Morden Corinthians Cricket Club (Home games played in Taunton Avenue, Raynes Park)
[edit] Photo Gallery
 Coombe Lane |
 Looking up Lambton Road from the Station |
 Approach Road |
 Looking down Grand Drive from the Station |
