Barnes Village is a thriving community with many well organised activities. For a full listing of current Barnes activities refer to local websites: Barnes Village (barnesvillage.com) and the Barnes Community Association (barnes-ca.org) and the Barnes Bugle, free to read, is also an excellent source of local community news and updates (barnesvillagebugle.co.uk).

The wonderful FiSH, based in the Barnes Green Centre (fishhelp.org.uk), offers support and activities for the older community. There are also plenty of opportunities to volunteer with local organisations.

A & E

(Accident & emergency medical treatment) is available across the river at Charing Cross Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, or Kingston Hospital. Call 111 for medical advice and 999 for ambulance and emergency services.

Allotments – Barn Elm Allotments (BEAS)

Although there is currently a waiting list for plots, there is the opportunity to be involved in the local Allotments on Trinity Church Road, SW13 8ES. Quite a few Handel Mansions residents have plots.

Annual events in Barnes include:

• The Barnes Music Festival features choral, instrumental, orchestral, opera, jazz and film events featuring international
  stars and local groups and schools performing at venues across Barnes.
• The Barnes Film Festival
• The Barnes Charity Fashion Show
• The Barnes Children’s Literary Festival
• The Barnes Fair is held in early July at Barnes Green

Artists

Artists living and working in Barnes meet regularly – often in The Bulls Head pub – to inspire and motivate, discuss art, and share ideas, skills and knowledge. The OSO by Barnes Pond is a hub for theatre and creativity. OSO Arts Centre, 49 Station Road, SW13 0LF (www.osoarts.org.uk).

Boat Race

The annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race passes by Barnes on its way from Putney to Mortlake with great views of the competing rowers from Handel Mansions.

Cinema

The Olympic Recording Studios is now the Olympic Cinema, which has a very popular café and restaurant and a Member’s Club.

Churches

Holy Trinity and St Mary’s Churches of England, St Osmund and St Michael & All Angels Catholic Churches, and Barnes Baptist and Barnes Methodist Churches are all local.

Dentist

The closest dentist to Handel Mansions is Castelnau Dentists, 200 Castelnau, London SW13 9DW.

Farmers’ Market

A famous weekly Farmers’ Market is held on Saturdays at Essex House, corner of High Street and Station Road, London SW13 0LW.

Medical

NHS Medical facilities include:

• Essex House Surgery, Station Road, London SW13 0LW,
• Glebe Road Surgery, 1 Glebe Road, London SW13 0DR

There is also a range of private medical and wellness practitioners in Barnes.

Restaurants, Cafes & Pubs

There are many cafes, pubs and restaurants in Barnes including the well-known Rick Stein’s first London restaurant with a view directly onto the River Thames. The Barnes Bugle regularly updates cafes/restaurants that are opening and closing.

Pubs include The Bridge, The Red Lion, The Bull’s Head, The Brown Dog, The Coach and Horses, The White Hart, The Waterman’s and The Sun Inn by the Barnes Pond.

Across the river, there is The Blue Anchor, The Dove, The Old Ship, The Blue Boat and The Crabtree.

Popular local Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaways, both in Barnes and on the riverside across the Bridge, include:

• Asian/Thai – Chandelier Thai, Oka, Awesome Thai
• Fish & Chips – Tanya’s Fish & Chips
• French – Spoonful café, Cote, Brasserie Blanc
• Georgian – Samaia
• Indian – Spice of Night, Post Box, Ela & Dhani
• Italian – Riva, The River Café, Sips & Bites cafe
• Modern British/European – Church Road, Sam’s Riverside and Sam’s Kitchen
• Pizza – Arti, Base Face, Pizza Express
• Seafood: Rick Stein, Barnes

There is also a variety of eateries in White Hart Lane.

Pharmacy/Chemist

There is a wide range of pharmacies in Barnes, the closest being Prime Pharmacy, 198 Castelnau, London SW13 9DW

Royal Mail / Post

The closest Royal Mail red post box is on the corner of Heidegger Crescent and Wyatt Drive.

There are two post offices in Barnes, on Church Road and also on Verdun Road. Additionally, Mailbox Etc at 1 Rocks Lane, SW13 0DB is available for sending with other courier companies.

Schools

In addition to highly regarded State Primary Schools there are well known independent schools such as St Paul’s, The Harrodian School and The Swedish School.

Shopping

The High Street supermarkets are well represented (M&S, Tesco, and Sainsbury); however, a very high proportion of Barnes’ shops are independently run and include a specialist Cheese Shop, a Fish Shop, Butcher, Bakery, Delicatessens, Florists, Fruit and Veggrocers, Jewellers, Fashion Boutiques, Hair and Beauty Salons, Art Galleries, and a Bookshop.

Sporting Activities

There are tennis, rugby, and cricket complexes in Rocks Lane and Lonsdale Road and Rowing Clubs along the river. Barnes has many green spaces for walking and cycling, and the towpath running in front of Handel Mansions connects Putney and Hammersmith Bridges. Lower Putney Common, Barnes Common, and Leg O Mutton Reserve are nearby. There is a selection of pilates/yoga studios and classes in Barnes.

Wetlands Centre

The London Wetland Centre, with its variety of resident and migrating birds, is well worth a visit. It also has wonderful facilities for children.

Vet

There are a couple of Medivet veterinary practices in Barnes and a 24-hour emergency clinic nearby at 171 Lower Richmond Road, Mortlake, Richmond, SW14 7HX.