WHY?

There’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’s the 1,000-acre Bushy Park to get lost in. 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.

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

EAT

There’s a cool cosmopolitan vibe to East Molesey and the eateries reflect that – with a fine choice of cafés, restaurants and bars. Bomonti Café is an unassuming local café in Walton Street open for breakfast, brunch and lunch (pancakes and coffee are fab!), the eco-friendly Henry’s Kitchen has good vegan and veggie choices and Miss Polly Riverside Café is in a gorgeous spot on the Thames offering breakfast, lunch and an all-day doggie menu. For an Americana vibe head to Canela Café in Creek Street. And for excellent cakes and coffee Café Myel in Walton Road is the spot.

Le Petit Nantais is a charming French bistro on Bridge Road, Casa Mia and La Fiamma are popular Italian restaurants, and for Spanish/Lebanese fusion head to Mezzet Dar Tapas Restaurant, a fab spot for a girls’ night. Mezzet, rated by AA Gill as one of the top three Lebanese restaurants in London, is also worth a visit. For Thai, you can’t beat Thai Courtyard an authentic family-run restaurant on Walton Road, and for Indian go to Indian Panorama, also on Walton Road. The Thalis are phenomenal.

For a more relaxed pub vibe head to the fabulously wonky Bell, which dates back to the late 15th century. Known locally as ‘the crooked house’, it has a large beer garden and good prices. Across the road from Hampton Court Palace is The Mitre where you can relax on one of the riverside terraces and enjoy regular live music. The Six Restaurant at the Kings Arms Hotel is also a goodie, and the Albion is a cosy pub in Bridge Road with fab interiors and good wines, plus live music. The Mute Swan has consistently good food, great Sunday roasts and in winter, it’s wonderfully cosy with open fires.

SHOP

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

For gorgeous interiors head to Belle Epoque for the most beautiful antiques that have been lovingly restored by husband and wife team Tammy and Matt Court. The Hampton Court Emporium is another goodie if you love antiques – an eclectic indoor antiques market with multiple stall holders. Honeysuckle Rose Florist have gorgeous flowers and gifts (and amazing window displays), and Mercado is another gift shop worth a browse – it’s literally overflowing with gorgeous things. Ellu Amour is a women’s fashion store and Joulberry is an independent jeweller. For chain High Street shops Kingston is two miles away.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

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 Pavilion where they also have a pool, spa and Padal courts. For yoga there is Claire Teed whose studio is on Beauchamp Road. For health needs there’s a GP surgery within Glenlyn Medical Centre on Park Road or for alternative therapies Georgina Sayce at the Hampton Court Therapy Centre offers Hypnotherapy, CBT & Counselling.

COMMUNITY

Don’t miss the entertaining Dragon Boat race on the Thames from Canbury Gardens in aid of a local children’s charity. Love a local market? Walton Road is the site for the Molesey Indie Market, 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 Community Garden within their grounds maintained by volunteers.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

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

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’s paddle boarding, and riverside walks and it’s also a lovely spot for a picnic with views of the Astoria, a grand houseboat built in 1911 for impresario Fred Karno and adapted as a recording studio in the 1980s by Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour.

CULTURE

There are plenty of cultural events in and around East Molesey each year. The Hampton Court Palace Festival – 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 RHS Garden Festival, and the Food Festival. The Barn 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.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES

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.

HOT PROPERTY

NURSERIES

In East Molesey itself there’s Katey’s Nursery & Pre-School, a boutique family-owned nursery which follows the Reggio Emilia educational Philosophy, and Sapphires Nursery School. Both are Ofsted-rated Outstanding. Children can also start in the nursery at Hampton Court House School, Hampton Pre-Prep and Prep and Weston Green School.

SCHOOLS

Plenty of excellent options in this well-heeled area including the independent Hampton Court House School, an all-through school for boys and girls aged 2 – 18 yrs just on the edge of Bushy Park. Weston Green School is a lovely prep school in neighbouring Thames Ditton, while other preps in the area worth a look include Twickenham Prep School, Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep, Surbiton High Boys’ Prep and Surbiton High Girls’ Prep. Lady Eleanor Holles School is a highly regarded school taking girls from age 7 – 18 yrs, and another good senior school in the area is Surbiton High.

There are two primary schools in East Molesey itself: St Alban’s Catholic Primary, on a leafy site near Hampton Court palace is Ofsted-rated Outstanding and St Lawrence Church of England Aided Junior School is rated Good by Ofsted. Hinchley Wood School, for 11 – 18-year-olds in nearby Esher and Esher Sixth Form College are both popular choices.

BEST KEPT SECRET

Molesey was once the bare-knuckle boxing centre of England. Who knew?

COMMUTE

Trains run from Hampton Court Station into London Waterloo and take about 40 mins.

View the full Top 300 Best Places to Live.