5 Things I Love About Surbiton

17 years ago...

I can’t help but notice that most of the comments on this site display a certain amount of cynicism and discontent. And that’s fine. The internet exists for people to let off steam and have a good old rant.

But since these comments are going out on the World Wide Web I thought it may be nice to show folk in Sydney or Seattle the positive side to life in our town.

So here’s a challenge. See if you can come up with 5 things you actually LIKE about living in Surbiton.

Let me start you off with my own list (in no particular order):

1. Strolling along Queens Promenade by the Thames on a sunny Autumn day. It feels like I’m on holiday.

2. Taking my 6 year-old into Puccino’s for his tea. The waitresses are lovely and always have time to chat and joke with him.

3. Gordon Bennett’s on Maple Road. Brilliant food. The best.

4. I can enjoy the peace, calm and relative safety of the Queen of the Suburbs, yet be in the heart of London in under 45 minutes.

5. Unlike many other places which are nothing more than ribbon developments following main roads, Surbiton is a ‘proper’ town in a definable space with a central hub, making it distinct from nearby Kingston. And it has a real sense of neighbourliness and community too… if you’re willing to get involved.

Comments

Hi there,

I live in Thames Ditton (just down the Road from Surbiton), having lived in Surbiton for a few years before, but moved a couple of miles down the road for more of a village feel and cheaper houses to buy. As far as the schools are concerned Thames Ditton is great. I have one at the infants and one at the junior school and both are very happy. As for Surbiton, I understand Maple Road Infants is very good. No idea about the juniors, but I guess you do not need to worry about that for a while. There is a club for kids in Long Ditton (about a mile from Surbiton) and Thames Ditton Infants and Juniors run an after school service called clubland, which will look after the kids until about 6.30 I think. It costs £7.50 a day. Hope any of the above is of use. I think the move would be a good one for you. Surbiton is a lovely place to live and in the three years or so I was there I had a lovely time. The 'River Roads' are great if the budget allows and lots of things to do nearby, good cafes and bars and a good atmosphere.

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