Fun Things To Do In Putney, London: A Local’s Guide (2022)

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Looking for the best things to do in Putney? You’re in the right place. Living in Putney has given me the perfect insight into how much fun this part of London is, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Putney is easily one of the best places to live in London. 

Or if you’re not living there, it’s one of the best places to visit as a newbie to London. 

There are just so many things to do in Putney (and lots to see!)

From the traditional Oxford v Cambridge boat race, to walks along Putney Bridge overlooking the Thames, to sunny beer gardens and fun nights out, Putney is the perfect place for a London adventure!

In this post, I have listed the best things to do in Putney (from a LOCAL…ie. Me, Putney’s biggest fan!) 

I’ll explain how it’s the best place to stay or visit if you’re in London for the first time.

So, let’s get started!

Visiting Putney? Check out my other posts here!

• Best pubs in Putney
• Is Putney a Good Place to Live? A Local’s Advice
• Best Brunch in Putney: 11 Recommendations from a Local
• BEST Restaurants in Putney: 2022 Updated Guide
• Best Putney Sunday Roast: A Local’s Guide

Best Things to do in Putney

1. Walk along Putney Bridge

Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Putney (and cheapest!) is to stroll along Putney Bridge.

The views from Putney Bridge are beautiful, and if it’s a clear day, you can see all the way to the city and spot some of London’s famous buildings and architecture.

I mean, I live here and I still take myself for strolls along Putney Bridge as it is just stunning!

Although, it CAN get windy. Like mega windy. So just pick a good day or be prepared to be blown away on Putney Bridge!

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2. Have a picnic in Bishop’s Park

Right next to Putney Bridge is Bishop’s Park. It’s one of the most ‘social’ parks of Southwest London and always has a good atmosphere with people meeting with friends, on their afternoon stroll or working out.

Whether you’re working out on the outdoor gym equipment or having a boozy picnic with your pals, it’s one of the best things to do in Putney.

If you’re a big Made in Chelsea fan, keep your eyes peeled for some cameras filming the latest series. It’s a MIC hotspot!

🗺️ My world travel must-have: Whilst out during the day, I use a tote bag to hold my belongings like my camera, notebook, purse and Microfibre towel. It’s easier to pack away than a big beach bag, and can be neatly tucked away when you don’t need it!

3. Drink a pint in one of Putney’s many beer gardens

Putney is known for its young crowd and the beer gardens are heaving at the weekend if the sun’s out.

You’ll find beer gardens all along the high street, near Putney Bridge and on the riverbank.

Some of our favorite beer gardens in Putney are:

• Coat and Badge (just off Putney high street)
• The Boathouse (along the riverside)
• The Spotted Horse (has a roof top beer terrace)
• The Jolly Gardeners (5 min walk from the high street)
• The Green Man (10minute walk from the high street)

Check out my ultimate guide to Putney pubs here.

🦉TOP PUTNEY TIP: Nearly all pubs in Putney (and most of Southwest and West London) are Youngs. Download the app on your phone for quick access to the menu. Note that menus change per venue.

4. Catch the Oxford v Cambridge boat race in April

If you’re visiting Putney in April, you’re not going to want to miss the boat race.

Putney is the starting point for the Oxford v Cambridge boat race, and the entire town puts on a party to celebrate!

Most pubs will host their own events with live music, DJs, and BBQs, and will be free to enter.

You can also take some cans or a picnic down to the river and sit in Bishop’s Park to watch the rowers set off. This is also FREE so perfect for budget travellers!

🗺️ My London must-have: If you’re solo travelling, don’t forget to take earphones for busy public transport. Listening to a podcast or tuning out from the noise is a lifesaver on a busy city trip!

5. Party the night away at Tequila Mockingbird

As well as atmospheric beer gardens and pubs, Putney is home to a few late-night bars and clubs.

Tequila Mockingbird (which also has other venues across southwest and west London) is the PERFECT place for a late-night dance.

Enter on ground level and head downstairs for underground party vibes.

Tequila Mockingbird is located at the end of the high street, right opposite the river.

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6. Catch some live music

One of the first things I loved about Putney when I first moved was how many venues put on live music every single week!

Regardless of the day of the week, you can usually enjoy some live music somewhere in Putney. This is a fab (cheapish) evening to enjoy, especially if you’re travelling to London for the first time!

Our favourite Putney live music venues include…

• Lost Society: live music Weds-Sun, 7.30pm onwards
• The East Putney Tavern: Friday nights, 7.30pm onwards
• The Half Moon: (Every night of the week – see website for events)
• The Fox and Hound: Various times and events (including karaoke!)
• The Duke’s Head: Not regular, but can be on certain weeks. Check their website for more info.

🇬🇧 TOP LONDON TRAVEL BUY: Solo travelling in London? Stay safe by carrying your cash or card in a money belt. I know it sounds silly, but London can be chaotic and pickpockets are known to work in busy areas. It’s better to be safe than sorry! Check out my staying safe in London guide here.

7. Enjoy views of the River Thames

If you want some panoramic or epic views of the River Thames, head to pubs and restaurants along the riverside.

Our favourites are:

• Coppa Club
• The Boathouse
• The Duke’s Head
• Thai Square Putney Bridge

Check out my Putney restaurant guide here.

🗺️ Booking hostels? I always use Hostelworld as their deals are usually the cheapest. They also have reviews from other backpackers, and explain the vibe of the hostel (party, chill, social…) so you know exactly what you’re booking.

8. Have a traditional Sunday roast

Can you really visit London without having a traditional Sunday roast?

Mmmmmm. If there’s one thing us Brits do right, it’s a Sunday roast.

Whether you’re a veggie, vegan or full-blown meat-eater, you can find the BEST Sunday roasts in Putney.

Check out these venues for giant Yorkshire puds and to-die-for roast beef:

• The Boathouse
• The Prince of Wales
• The Jolly Gardeners
• The Spotted Horse
• East Putney Tavern
• The Duke’s Head

Check out the best Sunday roasts in Putney here.

🗺️ My London must-have: Solo travelling but still want to take photos?  📸 I’ve found the most perfect adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up (you don’t want any awkward moments alone, I know how it feels!)

9. Stroll around Fulham Palace

If you’re looking for a more dignified visit to Putney, check out Fulham Palace at the entrance of Bishop’s Park.

Open daily between 10.30 – 5, Fulham Palace is free to visit and stroll around. Admire the gardens and visit the historic house, which was the home of the bishops of London for over 1300 years.

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10. Play some Jungle Golf

Fancy something a bit more than just a riverside drink?

Play Jungle Golf at the London Jungle Rumble for under £10 a course. The venue offers three diverse courses with 9 holes to enjoy.

Pay £12 and get a pint of beer or a glass of wine thrown in as well.

Pre-drinks, anyone?

What a way to start off your first visit to London…

🗺️ My London must-have: A portable power bank. Don’t get caught short and lose your phone battery whilst travelling (especially if you’re using the tube!) If you’re solo travelling, you’re going to rely on it to get you from A to B.

11. Sit in a riverside igloo at Coppa Club

Seen the dreamy restaurant igloos on Instagram?

Now’s your chance to book one!

Coppa Club in Putney has a few igloos to book, which overlook the River Thames and give you a unique dining experience. Whilst you may have to book quite far in advance, they’re worth it!

You can book an igloo (or a regular table) here.

A bit of an over-packer? I have the answer! I use these handy packing cubes for every trip, meaning I can pack nearly 2 times as much as I could without! They are so worth investing in!

12. Treat yourself to Indian food in the BYOB

If you’re like me and my friends, you’ll bloody love an Indian and a bottle of wine at the end of a night out.

The Taj Mahal in Putney is the oldest Indian restaurant in town, AND it’s a BYOB (bring your own booze). That means you can have an entire night out, two courses, poppadoms and drinks for under £20!

Plus, the food in Taj Mahal is DELICIOUS.

Taj Mahal is located on Upper Richmond Road, about a 5-minute walk from East Putney station or Putney mainline station.

🇬🇧 TOP LONDON TRAVEL BUY: I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!

14. Walk around Putney Heath

Putney Heath is around a 10-minute walk from the town centre, and is totally worth it if you need an escape from the busy city life.

Around 400 acres in size, Putney Heath is full of woods and grasslands to walk around.

It’s a great place to catch the sunset or take a picnic on a sunny day.

It’s also close to the Green Man pub, which is perfect for a cheap lunch.

Check out the best walks near and around Putney here.

My world travel must-have: Airtags to track your luggage! This is the single best purchase I have ever made. An Apple airtag that tracks your checked baggage gives you total peace of mind when travelling internationally. Just make sure you get a keyring to go with it and keep it safe!

15. Catch a bus or train down to Richmond Park to spot wild deer

Whilst Richmond park might not be in Putney, it’s only a 10 minute bus ride away and is so worth it if you’re visiting London for the first time.

Richmond Park is one of London’s royal parks and spreads across 2360 acres (it’s the biggest in London!)

It’s home to almost 600 wild deer (and they are INCREDIBLE to spot, although they do like trying to steal your picnic), and is full of open grasslands, small streams, woodlands and scenic walks.

You can stop off at the ice cream stands or surrounding pubs for refreshments, or take your own picnic down to enjoy.

My world travel must-have: A World travel adapter or an extension lead, so you’re not using more than one plug!

How do I get to Richmond Park from Putney?

There are a few different gates to enter Richmond park, and it depends on where you’d like to go.

The easiest route from Putney to Richmond park is via mainline train from Putney Station. Trains take around 10 minutes from Putney to Richmond.

You can also take the 85 bus to Kingston, and get off at Robin Hood Lane (from Putney high street).

16. Join in on a pub quiz

Putney’s not just good for live music, karaoke and roast dinners.

But Putney is also known for its fun and lively pub quizzes across town.

Gather a group together and set up in one of the following pubs for their quiz:

• Coat and Badge: Wednesday evenings
• Green Man: Tuesday evenings
• East Putney Tavern: Wednesday evenings
• Spotted Horse: Wednesday evenings
• Jolly Gardeners: Wednesday evenings

17. Get into the sports spirit

Putney is home to multiple sports clubs and teams including rowing, tennis, and running.

And not only that, (and if you’re only visiting for a day or two) Putney has a great atmosphere when any kind of sport is on.

Whether it’s on a TV screen in a pub, or the rugby fans are gathered for a pint because England is playing at Twickenham ten minutes down the road, Putney is a great place to get that lively sports atmosphere.

If you visit on a weekend where there’s been a big competition, you’ll find lots of sports teams doing bar crawls and pub golf just adding to the buzzing atmosphere!

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18. Watch a show at the Putney Arts Theatre

Putney Arts Theatre is home to two theatre groups that perform regularly.

If you’re in town for a bit, check out their exhibitions, events and outside performance groups from the local community. 

🎭 You can book tickets for Putney Arts Theatre here.

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19. Have a late, late night at Le Fez

Putney’s only late-late night venue is Le Fez, and it’s the perfect spot to end your boozy night out.

With a license to open until 4 am, it’s a great end-of-the-night place after a few in a beer garden or Tequila Mockingbird.

It’s also opposite a kebab shop so you can get your post-night food after!

20. Walk to King’s Road, Chelsea

Although King’s Road is not in Putney, it’s an amazing place to visit on your first trip to London.

If you fancy heading there, it’s only a 30-minute walk from Putney Bridge (or a 5-minute tube) and is so worth it!

King’s Road isn’t the cheapest place in London to visit, so I’ve written a detailed budget guide for visiting here.

21. Watch a film in the ODEON Cinema

Ok, ok, you can do this anywhere.

But if you’re in Putney for a few days, it might be nice to take some time out and watch a new flick at the cinema.

The ODEON is located at the end of the high street, right near Putney Bridge (and it also has a Costa attached).

🍿 You can book your ODEON tickets here.

22. Stroll and shop along the high street

Just walking around Putney is fun in itself, and if you don’t get carried away in the shops, you don’t have to spend much money exploring.

Putney high street has some amazing shops, which include (but aren’t limited to):

• H&M
• Waterstones (with a cafe)
• The Source (no-plastic supermarket)
• Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, LIDL
• Sports Direct
• Mountain Warehouse
• Paul, Costa, Cafe Nero
• Tiger
• Paperchase

You can check out my guide to Putney shops here!

23. Eat food (and lots of it!)

Another AMAZING thing about Putney is the variety of food options you can choose from.

We are still yet to dine in all the different restaurants, and each one we’ve tried so far has been delicious!

Most restaurants in Putney are independent, but there are some chains in the mix for lower-cost meals.

Apart from pubs, here are some of our recommendations (with a budget guide):

• Bosa (Lebanese, ££)
• Bone Daddies (Ramen and fried chicken, ££)
• Preto (Brazilian steak, ££)
• Coppa Club (££)
• Taj Mahal (Indian, £)
• Pata Negra (Spanish tapas, £)
• Gazette (French, ££)
• Putney Cheese and Wine (the BEST place for date nights! ££)
• Home (British, ££)
• Yum Sa + Cocktail Bar (££)
• Hare and Tortoise (Japanese, ££)
• Kashmir (Indian/Italian – ££)
• La Casa Mia (Italian, ££)
• Beyzade (Turkish ££)
• Roxie (British, ££)
• Nandos (££)
• Pizza Express (££)
• Franco Manco (££)
• Putney Pies (£)
• Five Guys (£)
• Wagamamas (£)

How to get to Putney from Central London

If you want to visit Putney from Central London, you can either get a mainline train from Waterloo, or a district line train via Wimbledon.

It takes around 20 minutes via tube.

Is Putney posh?

Putney is located in southwest London, which is known to be the ‘posher’ side of London.

Whilst it may not be as ‘posh’ as West London, it definitely attracts more affluent residents, families and young couples.

(This question made me laugh when I saw it on Google 😂)

Check out my living in Putney and area guide here.

Is Putney nice?

Absolutely! If you’re a nature fan, it’s a great place to mix the busy city with green spaces and the outdoors.

Whilst you’re close to Richmond Park and Putney Heath, you’re also surrounded by restaurants, bars, clubs and cute cafes.

In my opinion, it’s one of the nicest areas in London.

Things to do in Putney: In a Nutshell

As you can see, there are so many things to do in Putney!

It’s one of the nicest areas in London, with so much to do to fill your time.

If you’re visiting London for the first time, I’d recommend visiting for its good vibes and fun atmosphere. And if you fall in love with it as much as I did, you might even end up moving here!

(Ooh and if you’re visiting Putney, let me know and we can grab a coffee!)

Happy travelling!

Jennie 🙂 x

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Hey you! 🙋‍♀️ I quit my job in 2021 to become a full-time travel blogger + visit as much of the globe as possible. Come and join me on my chaotic and hilarious travel journeys!

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