Surrey


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s more to this pretty riverside village than the world famous palace that sits just across the River Thames. As well as an abundance of shops, cafés, restaurants and boutiques, there&#8217;s the 1,000-acre Bushy Park to get lost in. You&#8217;re on the outskirts of London, but this pretty area is super friendly with a distinctly traditional village feel. Streets are tree-lined, and both the River Mole and River Ember cut through the village, while the Thames skirts it. </p>



<p>While King Henry VII and his brides dominate history books of the area, it&#8217;s worth noting Hampton Court Bridge was designed by the famous architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens and famous horse-racing track once stretched the length of the Thames from Hurst Park from 1890 to 1962. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat"><strong>EAT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/The-Mitre-Hampton-Court-720x480.jpg" alt="The Mitre, Hampton Court" class="wp-image-27949" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/The-Mitre-Hampton-Court-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/The-Mitre-Hampton-Court-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/The-Mitre-Hampton-Court-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/The-Mitre-Hampton-Court-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/The-Mitre-Hampton-Court-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/The-Mitre-Hampton-Court.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Mitre, cross the road from Hampton Court Palace.</figcaption></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s a cool cosmopolitan vibe to East Molesey and the eateries reflect that &#8211; with a fine choice of cafés, restaurants and bars. <a href="https://bomontibistro.co.uk/">Bomonti Café</a> is an unassuming local café in Walton Street open for breakfast, brunch and lunch (pancakes and coffee are fab!), the eco-friendly <a href="https://www.henrykitchen.co.uk/">Henry&#8217;s Kitchen</a> has good vegan and veggie choices and <a href="https://www.misspollycafe.co.uk/">Miss Polly Riverside Café</a> is in a gorgeous spot on the Thames offering breakfast, lunch and an all-day doggie menu. For an Americana vibe head to <a href="https://canelacafe.co.uk/">Canela Café</a> in Creek Street. And for excellent cakes and coffee <a href="https://www.cafemyel.co.uk/">Café Myel</a> in Walton Road is the spot.</p>



<p><a href="https://lepetitnantais.co.uk/">Le Petit Nantais</a> is a charming French bistro&nbsp;on Bridge Road, <a href="https://casamiahamptoncourt.co.uk/">Casa Mia</a> and <a href="https://www.lafiamma.co.uk/">La Fiamma</a> are popular Italian restaurants, and for Spanish/Lebanese fusion head to <a href="https://www.mezzetdar.co.uk/">Mezzet Dar Tapas Restaurant</a>, a fab spot for a girls&#8217; night. <a href="https://www.mezzet.co.uk/">Mezzet</a>, rated by AA Gill as one of the top three Lebanese restaurants in London, is also worth a visit. For Thai, you can&#8217;t beat <a href="https://www.thaicourtyard.co.uk/">Thai Courtyard</a> an authentic family-run restaurant on Walton Road, and for Indian go to <a href="https://www.indianpanorama.co.uk/">Indian Panorama</a>, also on Walton Road. The Thalis are phenomenal.</p>



<p>For a more relaxed pub vibe head to the fabulously wonky <a href="https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/surrey/bell">Bell</a>, which dates back to the late 15th century. Known locally as &#8216;the crooked house&#8217;, it has a large beer garden and good prices. Across the road from Hampton Court Palace is <a href="https://www.mitrehamptoncourt.com/">The Mitre</a> where you can relax on one of the riverside terraces and enjoy regular live music. The <a href="https://kingsarmshamptoncourt.com/food-drink/">Six Restaurant</a> at the <a href="https://kingsarmshamptoncourt.com/">Kings Arms Hotel</a> is also a goodie, and the <a href="https://www.thealbioneastmolesey.co.uk/#/">Albion</a> is a cosy pub in Bridge Road with fab interiors and good wines, plus live music. <a href="https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/muteswan/">The Mute Swan</a> has consistently good food, great Sunday roasts and in winter, it&#8217;s wonderfully cosy with open fires. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop"><strong>SHOP</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/MumeditHSRAbout.jpg" alt="Honeysuckle Rose Florist East Moseley Hampton Court Surrey" class="wp-image-56222" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/MumeditHSRAbout.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/MumeditHSRAbout-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/MumeditHSRAbout-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/MumeditHSRAbout-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/MumeditHSRAbout-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Honeysuckle Rose Florist</figcaption></figure>



<p>There are two main areas for shopping in East Molesey: Bridge Road where you&#8217;ll find lots of cafés, restaurants, antique shops and boutiques, and Walton Street &#8211; often known as Moseley High Street. There&#8217;s a decent mix of shops &#8211; high street and indies including butchers, fruit and veg shops and bakeries, plus boutiques.</p>



<p>For gorgeous interiors head to <a href="https://www.belleepoque.me.uk/">Belle Epoque</a> for the most beautiful antiques that have been lovingly restored by husband and wife team Tammy and Matt Court.  The <a href="https://surreyandbucksantiques.co.uk/">Hampton Court Emporium</a> is another goodie if you love antiques – an eclectic indoor antiques market with multiple stall holders. <a href="https://www.honeysuckle-rose.com/">Honeysuckle Rose Florist </a>have gorgeous flowers and gifts (and amazing window displays), and <a href="https://mercadostore.uk/">Mercado</a> is another gift shop worth a browse &#8211; it&#8217;s literally overflowing with gorgeous things. <a href="https://www.elluamour.com/">Ellu Amour</a> is a women&#8217;s fashion store and <a href="https://www.joulberry.com/">Joulberry</a> is an independent jeweller. For chain High Street shops Kingston is two miles away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>East Molesey also has a strong sporting vibe and there are several rugby and football clubs, a cricket club, rowing club and athletics club to keep you fit. There is also a swimming pool at the Molesey Hurst Recreation Ground in Dunstall Way. More of a gym bunny? Head to the <a href="https://www.pavilionclub.co.uk/">Pavilion</a> where they also have a pool, spa and Padal courts. For yoga there is <a href="https://clareteed.yoga/contact/">Claire Teed</a> whose studio is on Beauchamp Road. For health needs there&#8217;s a GP surgery within <a href="https://www.glenlynmedicalcentre.nhs.uk/our-surgeries/glenlyn-medical-centre/">Glenlyn Medical Centre</a> on Park Road or for alternative therapies <a href="http://Georgina Sayce Therapies">Georgina Sayce</a> at the Hampton Court Therapy Centre offers Hypnotherapy, CBT &amp; Counselling. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Don&#8217;t miss the entertaining <a href="https://www.momentumcharity.org/sports-challenge/dragon-boat-race/">Dragon Boat </a>race on the Thames from Canbury Gardens in aid of a local children&#8217;s charity. Love a local market? Walton Road is the site for the Molesey <a href="https://www.moleseylife.co.uk/molesey-independent-market-walton-road-car-park-2024/">Indie Market</a>, usually held bi-monthly in the summer months. Independent school Hampton Court House has a summer fete where all are welcome, they also have a lovely <a href="http://Hampton Court House Community Garden">Community Garden</a> within their grounds maintained by volunteers. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Hampton-Court-Palace_garden.jpg" alt="Hampton Court Palace with the formal gardens in the foreground." class="wp-image-49357" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Hampton-Court-Palace_garden.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Hampton-Court-Palace_garden-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Hampton-Court-Palace_garden-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Hampton-Court-Palace_garden-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Hampton-Court-Palace_garden-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Hampton-Court-Palace_garden-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hampton Court Palace</figcaption></figure>



<p>Hampton Court Palace is the obvious major attraction – and it&#8217;s a magnet for millions of visitors every year. There are also 60 acres of formal gardens and 750 acres of parkland &#8211; so plenty space to romp and roam. Kids will love the maze and the Magic Garden children&#8217;s playground.</p>



<p>When you get tired of that, go across the road to Bushy Park – home to more than 320 red and fallow deer – and a great spot to cycle, run or simply wander.  On a smaller scale, Hurst Park is a riverside park with a large grassy area, playground and open access to the Thames. Plenty of community events and festivals are held here throughout the year. There&#8217;s paddle boarding, and riverside walks and it&#8217;s also a lovely spot for a picnic with views of the Astoria, a grand houseboat built in 1911 for&nbsp;impresario&nbsp;Fred Karno&nbsp;and adapted as a recording studio in the 1980s by Pink Floyd&nbsp;guitarist&nbsp;David Gilmour.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>There are plenty of cultural events in and around East Molesey each year. The <a href="https://hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com/">Hampton Court Palace Festival</a> – a series of alfresco concerts – takes place each summer attracting big-name singers like Rick Astley, Kylie Minogue, Kaiser Chiefs and Tom Jones. Hampton Court also plays host to the <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-hampton-court-palace-garden-festival">RHS Garden Festival</a>, and the<a href="https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/whats-on/hampton-court-palace-food-festival/#gs.5esp3h"> Food Festival</a>. <a href="https://www.thebarntheatremolesey.co.uk/">The Barn </a>is a professional local studio theatre which has been staging productions for 50 years.  History fans will enjoy a visit to the oldest building in Molesey is St Peters Church with its ancient tower built about 1440.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/HCPF-Chic_Hampton-Court-Festival_Fanatic_Joshua-Atkins-66.jpeg" alt="Hampton Court Palace Festival " class="wp-image-39581" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/HCPF-Chic_Hampton-Court-Festival_Fanatic_Joshua-Atkins-66.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/HCPF-Chic_Hampton-Court-Festival_Fanatic_Joshua-Atkins-66-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/HCPF-Chic_Hampton-Court-Festival_Fanatic_Joshua-Atkins-66-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/HCPF-Chic_Hampton-Court-Festival_Fanatic_Joshua-Atkins-66-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/HCPF-Chic_Hampton-Court-Festival_Fanatic_Joshua-Atkins-66-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/05/HCPF-Chic_Hampton-Court-Festival_Fanatic_Joshua-Atkins-66-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hampton Court Festival. <em>Photo credit: Joshua Atkins</em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>in the last year properties in East Molesey had an overall average price of £917,479, the majority of sales being flats, selling for an average price of £515,744. Detached homes sold for £1,581,394, with semis fetching £837,259.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/property-east-molesey-knight-frank.jpeg" alt="This elegant 8 bed Victorian house is found in one of East Molesey's most popular residential roads. On the market with Knight Frank for £2.895m." class="wp-image-55699" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/property-east-molesey-knight-frank.jpeg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/property-east-molesey-knight-frank-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/property-east-molesey-knight-frank-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/property-east-molesey-knight-frank-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/10/property-east-molesey-knight-frank-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This elegant 8 bed Victorian house is found in one of East Molesey&#8217;s most popular residential roads. <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/palace-road-east-molesey-surrey-kt8/ESH012371863" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank for £2.895m</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries"><strong>NURSERIES</strong></h2>



<p>In East Molesey itself there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.kateyshouse.co.uk/">Katey’s Nursery &amp; Pre-School</a>, a boutique family-owned nursery which follows the Reggio Emilia educational Philosophy, and <a href="https://sapphiresnursery.com/">Sapphires Nursery School</a>. Both are Ofsted-rated Outstanding. Children can also start in the nursery at <a href="https://www.hamptoncourthouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hampton Court House School</a>, <a href="https://hamptonprep.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hampton Pre-Prep and Prep</a> and <a href="https://www.westongreenschool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weston Green School</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Plenty of excellent options in this well-heeled area including the independent <a href="https://www.hamptoncourthouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hampton Court House School</a>, an all-through school for boys and girls aged 2 – 18 yrs just on the edge of Bushy Park. <a href="https://www.westongreenschool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weston Green School</a> is a lovely prep school in neighbouring Thames Ditton, while other preps in the area worth a look include <a href="https://twickenhamprep.org.uk/">Twickenham Prep School</a>, <a href="https://hamptonprep.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hampton Pre-Prep &amp; Prep</a>, <a href="https://www.surbitonhigh.com/boys-prep/">Surbiton High Boys&#8217; Prep</a> and <a href="https://www.surbitonhigh.com/girls-prep/">Surbiton High Girls&#8217; Prep</a>. <a href="https://www.lehs.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lady Eleanor Holles School</a> is a highly regarded school taking girls from age 7 – 18 yrs, and another good senior school in the area is <a href="https://www.surbitonhigh.com/">Surbiton High</a>. </p>



<p>There are two primary schools in East Molesey itself: <a href="https://www.stalbans.surrey.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Alban&#8217;s Catholic Primary</a>, on a leafy site near Hampton Court palace is Ofsted-rated Outstanding and <a href="https://www.stlawrence-junior.surrey.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Lawrence Church of England Aided Junior School</a> is rated Good by Ofsted.  <a href="http://www.hinchleywoodschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hinchley Wood School</a>, for 11 – 18-year-olds in nearby Esher and <a href="https://www.esher.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Esher Sixth Form College</a> are both popular choices.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret"><strong>BEST KEPT SECRET</strong></h2>



<p>Molesey was once the bare-knuckle&nbsp;boxing&nbsp;centre of England. Who knew?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute"><strong>COMMUTE</strong></h2>



<p>Trains run from Hampton Court Station into London Waterloo and take about 40 mins.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


East Molesey

See more in Surrey