This unassuming residential enclave is sandwiched between the busy Tolworth Roundabout and Hook Road, and its leafy streets are typical of its south-western suburban location. Tolworth town centre is located in the east, with numerous local amenities and transport options that include Tolworth station and a large M&S supermarket. Though Tolworth offers semi-regular services into London, commuters tend to prefer Surbiton station, which is just a short walk to the north, and runs regular fast services that only take 20 minutes to reach Waterloo. Both stations are set to be on the proposed Crossrail 2 route. Alongside the large Edwardian and interwar homes, it is these great transport connections that draw families to the neighbourhood. The Corner House is a community arts centre and a fantastic local hub, with regular comedy nights featuring well-known faces, as well as socials, plays, and exhibitions. The locality’s suburban situation also affords it an abundance of green space, which is perfect for dogwalkers and joggers, who make up a proportion of this local population.

Tolworth was in the Domesday Book as Taleorde, and fell into the hands of the Evelyn family, who established gunpowder mills in the area in 1561. The town came to be known as Talworth during the 19th century, and was described as being made up of 1,190 acres with a population of only 434 in 1872, despite Surbiton station having opened nearby decades earlier. There was a farmhouse which had previously belonged to the cousin of Edward III, and much of the land was owned by the Earls of Egmont. The Tolworth Brickfields were established in 1908 on Red Lion Road, bringing in numerous workers and dramatically increasing the population. It was at this time that residential development began in earnest and more than 2000 houses were built by 1927. The same year The Ace of Spades Roundabout was built, named after a nearby roadhouse and dancing venue, which also had an airstrip and a riding school. Sadly, it burnt down in the 1950s.

Tolworth was once the location of the famous live music venue, The Toby Jug. It hosted bands such as Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Black Sabbath, King Crimson, Genesis, and New Order. It was also the location for the launch of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust stage show on the 10th February 1972.

The Ace of Spaces Roundabout is often cited as a nuisance for drivers due to the congestion that surrounds it. This is also a concern due to the amount of pollution it creates in the area, particularly as it is located right next to a school. The roundabout also leads onto the A3, which is another source of pollution in the neighbourhood.

The former site of the Toby Jug, as well as former local government offices, has begun on the largest development the Kingston borough has seen in the past 50 years. The Guinness Partnership’s Signal Park will provide 950 environmentally friendly new homes on the 11-acre site, bringing much-needed housing to the area, all of which will be available on shared ownership. The site has been derelict for almost two decades, with many suggesting that development should have been finished 10 years ago. Another addition to the area is the proposed Crossrail 2 routes, which are planned to stop at the nearby Surbiton and Tolworth stations before travelling into and beyond central London.