West Berrylands is a mainly residential suburb surrounded by generous green spaces, such as the Hogsmill Public Space and Alexandra Park. The green recreational space is particularly well regarded in this neighbourhood, which is especially evident as the Environment trust have recently provided funds for the enhancement of Berrylands Nature Reserve. There is also a wide range of amenities in the form of primary schools, hospitals, and churches, and small pockets of retail and recreation are to be found near the national railway station and along Ewell Road. It is here that you can enjoy a nice pint at the Berrylands or the Brave New World.

Before the 1930s, the landscape was dominated by two large farms, Berry lodge and Berrylands, and agriculture was the main economic activity. Some of the earliest developments date back to the mid-19th century and consist of Victorian detached properties found near Ewell road. These include the Sessions House, built in the late 19th century, which can be seen as a quaint example of Edwardian public architecture; however, most of the current houses were built in the early 20th century and the interwar period, which help contribute to the patchwork nature of the neighbourhood’s architectural history.

Although the name Berrylands may suggest an abundance of berries, the actual origins are related to the Old English beorg, modern “barrow”.

On the downside, the neighbourhood is particularly homogenous when it comes to ethnicity with over 80% white British inhabitants meaning it doesn’t benefit from the diversity of other London areas. Despite this, the high-quality green spaces create a little village rural atmosphere, and can be seen as a neighbourhood that many enjoy.

The proximate arrival of Crossrail will reduce the distance between the Berrylands neighbourhood and central London, and is thus likely to bring new people to the neighbourhood. There are also plans to increase connectivity between Berrylands and the surrounding areas through the development and promotion of biking and pedestrian routes.