10 Best Things to Do in Barnes, London
Looking for things to do in Barnes? Here’s how to spend a lovely few hours exploring one of London’s most underrated riverside neighbourhoods, from a Londoner.
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The Best Things to Do in Barnes, London
There’s nothing quite as blissful as spending the day in a London neighbourhood you’ve just put on your radar.
For me, that was Barnes. Tucked away in South West London, even its location seems to be a bit of a secret. But once you find it, oh is it a place to discover.
From diddle-daddling on its beautiful high street, popping into one too many boutique shops, exploring its well-kept village green, or simply grabbing a coffee from its many independents and having a wander around.
Oh, and the pub scene here is not one to miss.
Here’s the best things to do in the neighbourhood. Shall we?
About the Author
Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.
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🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.
Looking for a hotel in barnes?
I recommend The Bridge—a traditional English pub with lovely rooms at the top and nice breakfast. Perfect for a friendly local stay in the neighbourhood.
10 Best Things to Do in Barnes, London
Barnes High Street & Church Road
The heart of an area often lies in its high street, and lucky for us, Barnes has two.
On Barnes High Street, you can delight in some lazy window shopping at The Wos Barnes or Dilli Grey Barnes, have a, pop into the quirky TotallySwedish (Swedish Fish included) or have a local cheese haul at The Real Cheese Shop—just to name a few.
On Barnes Church Road, you’ll find charity shop gems like Boutique by Shelter and Mary’s Living & Giving, florists and grocers like Bella’s Fruit & Veg and historic record shops like Olympic Records. You can also have a peek into the ancient St. Mary’s Church.
What I love the most is 95% of the shops on their high streets are independent. And it’s always nice to have at least one day forgoing the chains of London, shop till you drop!
Barnes Bookshop
One I loved so much it had to have its own spot on the list—The Barnes Bookshop, right on Church Road.
It’s everything you’d hope for a neighbourhood bookshop, spilling with new and classic reads, a seasonal booklist and is heavily involved in Barnes yearly BookFest—well worth having a pop into whilst you’re on Church Road.
Barnes Green
If the heart of Barnes is its high street, then its legs are Barnes Green.
Stretching 122 acres, including its friend Barnes Common, it’s a lovely place to have a walk, mooch around its Duck Pond, and have a coffee or a show at the OSO Arts Centre.
Brunch at &feast
For the hungry ones in your group (that’s me, I’m the hungry), you must have brunch at &feast.
Part bakery, part local café—a Saturday here will bring a beeline of in-the-know locals ready for a glorious start to their morning.
I recommend the Avocado Toast with chilli jam and Raspberry Pastel Del Nata, it’s pure pleasure.
Barnes Farmers Market
Courtesy of Barnes Farmers Market
For a true local jaunt in the area, you can also check out the Barnes Farmers Market.
It’s one of the oldest farmers’ markets in London, on every Saturday from 8:30am – 2pm, brill for finding artisanal and organic goods from nearly 30 local traders.
Have A River Walk on Along the Thames (& See Barnes Bridge)
Barnes’ Thameside location makes it impossible to visit without having a walk here for yourself.
Whether it’s a smile to the lovely Barnes Bridge, eyeing up the rowers of the day on the Thames, or simply snapping a photo or two of the glorious views—make sure to leave some time for it!
London Wetland Centre
Courtesy of London Wetland Centre
Barnes isn’t completely unknown. In fact, its Wetlands Centre is one of the best in the country.
The London Wetland Centre is an urban oasis and incredibly easy to reach from Barnes village centre (just plug where you are in Citymapper and it’ll walk you there!).
While here you can meet animals, birdwatch, and explore its 105 acres of lakes and meadows.
Olympic Studios Cinema
Courtesy of Olympic Studios.
For an evening in Barnes, you have to tuck into the legendary Olympic Studios.
From the 60s to early 2000’s it was one of the world’s leading recording studios—welcoming the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, small fish really.
Nowadays its humbled itself into an incredible cinema, social hub and recording studio for the community, have a peek!
Have a Tipple in Barnes’ Pub Scene
All village-like neighbourhoods in London must have a good pub or two, and Barnes is no exception.
The Coach & Horses is a step back in time, right on the High Street, The White Hart is fabulous for a drink al fresco, The Red Lion is good for British gastropub bits and Bull’s Head for live jazz nights!
A Sunday Roast at The Sun Inn
And lastly, this pub in Barnes deserves its own mention, especially if you love Yorkshire Puddings as much as I do.
Right across from Barnes Green, you can indulge in a top-notch Sunday Roast at The Sun Inn and remember what a fabulously good decision it was to spend the day in Barnes.
Enjoy!
Thanks for reading my Things to Do in Barnes London Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know how your day of exploring goes on Instagram!
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Happy Londoning,
