Earlsfield, Southfields and Wimbledon Location Guide

South West London areas with fast rail links to Waterloo, plenty of green space and a more residential feel than central London.

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Earlsfield, Southfields and Wimbledon Location Guide

At a glance

Earlsfield, Southfields and Wimbledon — At a glance

These neighbouring areas in South West London are a popular choice for students who want strong transport links, plenty of green space and a more residential feel than central London. Wimbledon has the largest town centre and facilities; Earlsfield and Southfields tend to feel quieter and more local.

Typical Travelcard zone: Zone 3 (depends on the exact address)
Feel: residential, green and sporty; Wimbledon town centre is busier, especially around major tennis events
Good for: students who want fast National Rail links into Waterloo and easy access to parks and outdoor space
Main stations: Wimbledon, Earlsfield, Southfields (District line)

Transport and example journey times

Earlsfield, Southfields and Wimbledon — Transport and example journey times

Below are station-to-station, off‑peak examples to give a sense of the train time. Exact times vary by route, service pattern and time of day.

Example train times (off‑peak, train time only)

Wimbledon → London Waterloo: about 15–20 minutes (National Rail, direct services available)
Earlsfield → London Waterloo: about 12–15 minutes (National Rail, direct services available)
Wimbledon → Clapham Junction: about 6–8 minutes (National Rail)
Earlsfield → Clapham Junction: about 4–6 minutes (National Rail)

Wimbledon also has District line services (useful for west and central London) and Tramlink connections in South London. Southfields is a District line station and can be a convenient option for some routes.

Local character and safety

Earlsfield, Southfields and Wimbledon are established residential areas with a mix of families, young professionals and students. Like any part of a large city, it’s sensible to take normal precautions (for example keeping valuables secure and using well-lit main roads at night).

Wimbledon can be busier during major tennis events. Nearby residential streets are usually calmer, and your host will advise on local routines.

Day-to-day living

These areas are practical for everyday life. You’ll find supermarkets, pharmacies, gyms and high‑street services within easy reach, plus lots of green space nearby.

Wimbledon has the largest town centre, with a mix of chains and independents. Wimbledon Village has more independent shops and cafés and is generally pricier than the main high street. Earlsfield (around Garratt Lane) and Southfields offer a more local feel with cafés, takeaways and everyday shopping.

Food and social life

Earlsfield, Southfields and Wimbledon — Food and social life

South West London has a good mix of cuisines. Around Wimbledon town centre you’ll typically find Italian, Indian and Thai options, alongside cafés and pubs. Earlsfield and Southfields have smaller clusters of local restaurants and takeaways, with a mix that often includes Indian, East Asian and Mediterranean options. For bigger nights out, central London is a straightforward journey by train or Tube.

Parks and leisure

Earlsfield, Southfields and Wimbledon — Parks and leisure

This part of London is well known for outdoor space and sports facilities. Many students like the balance of city access and green space.

Local highlights

Earlsfield, Southfields and Wimbledon — Local highlights

Wimbledon Common – large open space for walks and runs
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum – museum and tours near the Championships grounds
New Wimbledon Theatre – shows and touring productions
Wimbledon Park – lakeside walks and outdoor sports (including tennis courts)
Wandsworth Common – large park within easy reach from Earlsfield

Who this area suits

These areas can suit students who want:

a more residential place to live, with good day-to-day amenities nearby
fast rail access to Waterloo and connections via Clapham Junction
easy access to parks, outdoor running routes and sports facilities

Property prices (guide only)

Property prices in this part of South West London are generally above the London average. As a broad guide, apartments (flats) in Earlsfield/Southfields/Wimbledon often sell in the £400,000–£550,000 range, while family homes (terraced or semi‑detached houses) are commonly around £950,000–£2,000,000+. This is roughly 80–150% higher than the England average for apartments, and several times the England average for houses. Prices vary widely by street, property size and condition.

Things to consider

Zone 3 can mean higher travel costs than Zone 1-2, depending on how often you travel and your route.
If you need to get to East London or places outside the rail/tube lines shown above, you may need one or more changes.
Wimbledon’s centre can feel busier at peak times and during tennis events; if you prefer quieter streets, tell us in your application.

FAQs

How long is the commute to central London?

From Wimbledon and Earlsfield, National Rail services offer quick access to Waterloo. Train times vary by service and time of day, but the off‑peak examples above give a helpful baseline.

What’s the difference between Earlsfield, Southfields and Wimbledon?

Wimbledon is the largest centre with the widest range of shops and transport options (National Rail and the District line). Earlsfield is mainly National Rail and tends to feel more local day-to-day. Southfields is a District line station with a more residential feel.

Is Wimbledon only about the tennis?

The tennis brings extra visitors during major events, but Wimbledon is a year-round town centre with parks, local services and strong transport links.

Can you place me somewhere quieter in this area?

Often, yes. Let us know if you prefer a calmer setting and we’ll focus on more residential streets rather than busy main roads where possible.

Homestay accommodation in Earlsfield, Southfields and Wimbledon

We have host families in Earlsfield, Southfields and Wimbledon. We interview, vet and visit our host families in their homes.

These areas are mainly Zone 3, though some addresses near Wimbledon town centre sit closer to the Zone 3/4 boundary. Most homestays here are in our Standard category; homes nearer Wimbledon centre may be Superior.

Your placement includes:

A host family in an inspected home (vetted through home visits and reference checks)
Your own room with Wi-Fi, bed linen and towels
A meal plan of your choice: self-catering, bed and breakfast, or half board
Office support during your stay and an out-of-hours emergency contact

This part of south-west London is quieter than areas like Brixton or Shepherd’s Bush. Hosts tend to be families and professionals who like the green spaces and the slightly slower pace. The District line and South Western Railway give you routes into Waterloo and Westminster, so central London is still within easy reach.

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Useful links

If you know your dates and your school or work location, you can apply for a homestay online. We usually respond within one to two working days.

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Homestay options for this area

Explore the homestay categories available in this part of London.

Superior Homestay Zone 2 and 3

Zones 2–3 — Well-connected suburban areas with excellent transport to Central London.

Standard Homestay Zone 3+

Zones 3–5 — Safe, suburban areas with larger homes and green spaces. Our best value option.

Popular with students at

CES Wimbledon Best match Frances King School of English Best match Imperial College London Best match University of Roehampton Best match Wimbledon School of English Best match Goldsmiths, University of London King's College London — Guy's Campus Kingston University London South Bank University The London School of English

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In their words...

“We have been working with London Homestays since 2011. With their support, we have managed to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction. We strongly recommend London Homestays to anyone who’s looking for quality, reliability and exceptional customer service.”
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Carl Roberton, Principal, Stafford House School of English
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Ewa Pietreniuk, Head of Partnerships, Speak Up London
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Lucia Murray-Rapuano, Global Skills Development Manager, City of Glasgow College
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Miroslava Foltýnová, Owner, CK Bus Tours.
“We offer internships in London to European students and looked for a reliable partner to provide accommodation to our candidates. We have been very happy with the services provided by London Homestays, as have our candidates, as they have always received quickly information on families, the possibility to book a room in a short delay and also a good quality of families. I would recommend without any doubt this agency. The team is very professional, efficient and friendly :). We hope to send new trainees soon!”
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Kate Powers, Vice Principal for English Studies, Sunny Canadian International School
It was an amazing experience, I’ve found a new home where I feel as comfortable as I do in my own home!
Laura, student from France: Homestay booking in Zone 2
“When my children went off to university and got married, my husband and I were empty nesters rattling around. We have an empty bedroom and I quite enjoy keeping it fresh for new students who come to stay with us both short and long term. Invariably, they show us a lot of respect. Coming to London to study or to work as interns is a big adventure for them and I enjoy settling them in and seeing them flourish. Some return or recommend to their friends to come and stay with us. London Homestays are a great organisation to deal with – good at communicating and highly ethical.”
Cathy, Homestay host in Colindale, London
“My first student has just left to return home and I have thoroughly enjoyed hosting her. It has been a lovely experience for me to help her with her English and learn about her Japanese culture.
I was nervous and apprehensive at first but it was so worthwhile and I look forward to continue hosting in the future. It has given me a boost knowing that I can give someone an opportunity that they may not have been able to afford without using London Homestays”
Audrey, Homestay host in Tooting, London
My homestay host Debra transformed my stay into the most amazing experience of my whole life!
Florian, student from Belgium: Homestay booking in Zone 3
“London Homestays has been an excellent accommodation partner for our students. The team is always helpful, responsive and highly professional. They consistently match students with the right hosts based on individual requirements, ensuring a positive and comfortable homestay experience.”
Ellie Fordham, Student Services Manager, Stafford House
My homestay host is a lovely lady, she was very helpful and genuine. London Homestays offer an excellent, fast service and quality accommodation. I would definitely recommend to my friends!
Shelaine, student from Canada: Homestay booking in Zone 2
Daphne was a really nice and welcoming host, I really enjoyed my stay with her and her family. Thank you London Homestays for connecting me with her!
Ben, researcher from USA: Superior homestay booking
My stay with my host family makes my time at UK much more fun and exciting! Life is happening!
Bao, student from China: Homestay booking in Zone 4+
“Really, we are very happy with our room at the residence. James in the residences team has helped us with all aspects of our booking and we would like to say, big thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
Dmitriy and Maria, two students from Russia: Residence booking
“I felt completely at ease and very comfortable with my host! She was really kind…many thanks!”
Doris, student from Italy: Superior homestay in Zone 2
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Chan Sen, Director at Shanghai Chelsea International Consulting
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The London Homestays portal is amazing. You can manage availability, update photos, and see when you’ve been paid — something I’m always chasing the other agencies. Can’t recommend it highly enough!
Sharon, host in Finchley
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Pat & Clyde, hosts in Tooting, London
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Ruoxi, student from China