Shopping
When you need a little retail therapy, Roehampton is well placed to shop. Kingston is a short bus ride away, whilst Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush is also within easy reach. Slightly further afield is the famous Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill, or if you’d rather rummage through charity shop rails, don’t miss Wimbledon, Putney and Chiswick.
Food and Drink
There are so many places to go for food locally, from street food to more upmarket establishments. Head to Tooting for the best Indian around, Tooting Market for a huge variety of street food, Richmond for fancy restaurants, or a drink by the river in the summer, or take the bus Putney or Fulham and Chelsea for a range of places to eat and drink.
Nightlife
From traditional pubs and buzzing bars to nightclubs, there are plenty of places to go in the evening and night time around Roehampton.
The RSU organise trips to Le Fez in Putney and The Grand in Clapham, so you don’t have to worry about getting back afterwards, as well as Bop in Monty Hall on campus every Friday.
Just down the road, Putney boasts a range of bars including Revs, Toy Shop, Be at One and Tequila Mockingbird and they often have happy hours if you want a mock/cocktail fix.
Sport
South West London is home to multiple world-famous sporting locations, and gives you the opportunity to get involved in sport too.
Tennis – Wimbledon is just down the road and makes the perfect day out in the summer. Get there early to queue up for tickets – don’t forget to get some strawberries and cream while you are there!
Rugby – Twickenham Rugby Stadium is the home of English rugby and hosts international and national games, as well as music concerts. Rosslyn Park Rugby Club also backs on to the University campus.
Football – We sponsor Crystal Palace FC, based near Croydon, and often have tickets available for students to matches, as well as plenty of opportunities for work placements. Fulham FC is based at Craven Cottage, just over the river from Putney, and Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea is within easy reach of campus as well.
Rowing – Putney is next door to Roehampton, and is the start line for the world famous Oxford Cambridge boat race. Go with some friends and find a spot on the river bank to watch!
Swimming – Tooting Bec Lido and Pools on the Park in Richmond are outdoor lidos that are perfect for cooling off in the summer months.
Entertainment
Whether you want music festivals, concerts or theatre, Roehampton is well placed to allow you to enjoy the best of what South West London has to offer.
The 430 bus goes from nearby the main campus to South Kensington, which is home to some of London’s biggest musuems such as the Natural History Museum, The Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert, as well as the Royal Albert Hall which hosts all sorts of events throughout the year. The historic Hampton Court Palace is also within easy reach of Roehampton.
Hammersmith Apollo offers an unbeatable selection of theatre, comedy and music events and Battersea Arts Centre’s eclectic mix of events range from hard-hitting talks, comedy shows, theatre performances, arts festivals and innovative scratch events. The RSU also run ‘Theatre Tuesday’ every month so you can book cheap tickets to some of the best shows in the West End.
If you are a movie buff Putney, Wimbledon and Wandsworth all have cinemas, and Barnes is home to the historic Olympic Cinema.
South West Four Festival takes place every summer on Clapham Common and hosts some of the best dance music acts including Martin Garrix, Craig David, Marvin Humes, Chase and Status and Sigma. Lovebox Festival happens every July in Gunnersbury Park – this year Solange, Chance the Rapper, Annie Mac, J Hus and Giggs all played.
Parks and green spaces
Roehampton is London’s only green campus university and is surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens. Both Kew Gardens and London Wetlands Centre are nearby, whilst Richmond Park with its herds of deer and iconic Isabelle plantation is a 5 minute walk from campus and free to enter. Wimbledon Common is also a short walk or bus ride from campus. (Kew Gardens and London Wetlands Centre charge entry, but Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common are free).