Barnes
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Template:Infobox London place Barnes is a place in south-west London in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is located 5.8 miles (9.4 km) west south-west of Charing Cross in a loop of the River Thames, with Hammersmith Bridge at the north end. It has some of the most expensive housing in London, prized for its relatively secluded location (the river acts as a barrier to much through traffic) and its elegant mansions.
North Barnes (sometimes called Castelnau), near the river and Hammersmith Bridge, contains a 1920's council estate (including roads such as Nowell Road and Stillingfleet Road), this area offers more affordable housing but is the site of low level crime often associated with estates, including thefts from motor vehicles and vandalism.
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Tourist Attractions
The only permanent tourist attraction in Barnes is the WWT London Wetlands Centre, next to Barn Elms, comprising over 40 hectares of artificial wetlands created on the site of a former reservoir as a bird sanctuary. Also, once a year, the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race passes around the loop of the Thames surrounding Barnes. Barnes also has an attractive village green and duck pond (recently rebuilt after a series of leaks).
A low-key attraction is the Olympic Studios on Church Road. Relocated from Central London in 1966, they have played host to many of rock and pop music's greatest stars ranging from the Rolling Stones, Queen, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin to Duran Duran, Coldplay and Will Young.
The Old Sorting Office arts centre adjacent to Barnes Pond has also become a focus in London as a venue for art and fringe theatre, hosting numerous exhibitions and theatre productions. Well-known names to have performed at the venue include Patricia Hodge, Stephanie Cole, Timothy West and Julian Glover.
Barnes Rugby Football Club (the oldest Rugby club in the world) is located next the WWT London Wetlands Centre at Barn Elms. St Paul's School is on Lonsdale Road.
The site of pop musician Marc Bolan's car crash on Queen's Ride in 1977, in which he was killed, now forms Bolan's Rock Shrine. The memorial receives frequent visits from his fans, and in 2002 a bronze bust of Bolan was installed to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of his death.
Notable Restaurants
- Riva Restaurant, on Church Road where it has turned on to Castelnau. Top-rated place frequented by celebs.
- Sonny's Restaurant, on Church Road. Popular and acclaimed.
- The Red Lion pub, at the junction of Castelnau and Church road. Recently rebuilt pseudo-traditional pub, with standard pub food.
- The Sun Inn, opposite Barnes Green. A pricey traditional pub, with a range of food made on the premises.
- The Bridge, at the top of Castelnau, near Hammersmith bridge. Recently rebuilt.
- The Castelnau, at the top of Castelnau (opposite The Bridge.) Bar / restaurant.