This leafy London district offers some of the finest urban green spaces in the capital, not to mention excellent transport links.
Mitcham sits in the borough of Merton and is hugged by the suburbs of Tooting, Hackbridge and Morden. Pollards Hill, Norbury and Thornton Heath sit to the east.
Mitcham boasts plenty of green space thanks to its agricultural roots, while the Victorian period presented it with its own cricket ground – the oldest still in existence.
Average local property prices are relatively affordable too compared with neighbouring boroughs. They currently stand at £353,000 which is well below the prices you’ll pay in Tooting and a whole world away from those in nearby Wimbledon. You can check up-to-date house prices in Mitcham here.
Living in Mitcham; what to expect
One of Mitcham’s biggest appeals is its semi-rural nature – the perfect balance of outdoor greenery and convenient proximity to London.
Parks include the Lavender Park and Figges Marsh, which has more than 10 hectares to explore. The River Wandle also rounds the south-west of Mitcham and carves through Morden Hall Park, which is now held by the National Trust.
Surrey’s rolling countryside is also on Mitcham’s doorstep – find out more about the county with our guide.
Local connections are also convenient. Residents can catch a tram and be in desirable Wimbledon in just 12 minutes. Overground trains run to Victoria Station and the Thameslink will take you direct to Luton Airport.
‘Old school’ communities are also still going strong in Mitcham. Community group, Friends of Mitcham's Corner work to provide a safe, friendly environment and support local shops and services.
There’s also plenty of good schools nearby. These include St Mark’s Primary School and St Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School. Graveney School and Glenthorne High School were both ranked as ‘Outstanding’ by Oftsed at their last inspections.
Mitcham Library, built in 1933, is also the host of local theatre company Attic Theatre, which has produced more than 50 plays.
Most retailers in Mitcham, such as WH Smith, Toys R Us and Superdrug, are found in the central London Road area. Major supermarkets include Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.
Mitcham is also mid-way through a major three-year redevelopment programme. Merton Council is aiming to upgrade Mitcham’s public spaces, improve local shopping facilities, pedestrianised areas and local transport.
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Where to start your property search
For modest inter-war semi-detached homes, head to the north of the town centre. Late Victorian, post-railway terraces can be found near the green spaces of Mitcham Common.
If a more substantial home is on your shopping list, search the Mitcham Park area or the houses lining roads such as Baron Grove. Lavender Avenue, near the Lavender Park area, comprises modest 20th-century homes or comfortable semis.
Graham Road, which is located near the Cricket Green Conservation Area, offers a wide choice of Edwardian homes. Many come large double bay windows and grand entrances with room for front parking.
Look to Love Lane (the Church Road end) for an assortment of two- to four-bedroom detached and semi-detached houses.
Properties near the conservation area of Commonside are highly sought-after. Figges Marsh, Sandy Lane and Grove Road are also popular choices for flats or two-bed terraced homes.
For flats and apartments – some within period homes – look to London Road or the streets leading off it.
Getting in and around Mitcham
By rail: Mitcham Junction Station and Mitcham Eastfields stations service the area which is operated by Southern. Direct trains from Eastfields station go to London Victoria, London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink and Kings Cross St Pancras.
By tram: London Tramlink serves the area over four stops – Mitcham Junction, Mitcham, Belgrave Walk and Phipps Bridge. These tram links connect locals directly with Wimbledon, Croydon and New Addington
By car: The one-way system through Mitcham incorporates the A236, which passes through Mitcham Common, and the bisecting London Road (A217). The latter also passes through the neighbouring suburbs of Wandsworth, Tooting, Rosehill and Cheam.
By air: Heathrow and Gatwick airports can be reached in less than an hour by public transport or by car. Direct access is also offered by Thameslink to Luton Airport or London St Pancras International.
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Things to do in Mitcham
Outdoors: Relax in one of the suburb’s many green spaces, such as Poulter or Ravensbury Park, which both line the River Wandle.
Walk your dog or go for a run in the central park known as Mitcham Common where you’ll also find the Three Kings Pond and Seven Islands Pond.
Explore the picturesque English countryside of Morden Hall Park. You can easily spend an entire day walking around this National Trust site, which spans more than 50 hectares.
Shopping: Check out the wares at Merton Abbey Mills’ weekend market, where you can also catch live musical performances throughout the year.
There’s also Wimbledon’s Centre Court Shopping Centre or the more laidback Wimbledon Village, while lively Clapham Junction is only 15 minutes away by train.
Sports: Sports fans can join locals supporting Tooting & Mitcham United at their home ground of Imperial Fields, which is located on the River Wandle.
Adjacent is Poulter Park, home to Mitcham Rugby Union FC. Or for your own exercise, there’s Canons Leisure Centre.
Food and drink: A must-visit in Mitcham is the Chicken Shop and upmarket spin on a local takeaway which serves rotisserie-grilled free range chicken in a restaurant designed to look like a barn.
Chak 89 is another Mitcham favourite. It serves Pan-Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan dishes in a wonderful banqueting hall.
If you want something lighter, grab a coffee and pastry from MUD on Mitcham Road, or head down the road to the laid-back Graveney and Meadow for brunch and baked goods.
At the weekend make sure you venture over to Merton Abbey Mills, a converted 18th-century textile factory. Here you’ll find independent restaurants, cafés, bars and live music.
Local pubs include The Mill House, which is located off Windmill Road in Mitcham Common, and The Antelope. The latter is known for its Sunday roasts and you can also take on your neighbours at one of its quiz nights. The Gorringe Park is also worth a look – it has a locally sourced menu and a cinema room.
Hidden Mitcham
The old Surrey Iron Railway route – a horse-drawn plateway that linked Wandsworth and Croydon via Mitcham. It’s possibly the oldest station in the world.
5 reasons to live in Mitcham
- Great commuting connections
- More affordable houses than neighbouring areas
- Multi-million-pound investment in public spaces
- Green spaces
- Upmarket Wimbledon on your doorstep
Have we missed anything out? Let us know what you think makes Mitcham a great place to live...