BOB's BLOG - Neighbourhood Notes Vol. 6 - Independent Putney - A Tour - Friday 10 October 2025

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Putney Market Gems: Your Independent Shopping Guide

There's a particular pleasure in spending a Saturday morning pottering through Putney's independent shops – the kind of unhurried browsing that makes you remember why shopping used to be enjoyable before everything moved online. Let me take you on a gentle wander through some of my favourite spots.

Starting at Putney High Street

Putney has quietly retained its village feel despite being just twenty minutes from the West End. The High Street still has that wonderful mix of familiar faces behind counters and the genuine "good morning" greetings that make you feel part of a community rather than just another transaction.

The Putney Exchange is your first stop – a shopping arcade that's easy to miss if you're rushing, but absolutely worth exploring. Inside, you'll find independent jewellers, a brilliant key cutting and shoe repair service (honestly, the cobbler here has saved more pairs of my favourite boots than I can count), and a lovely card shop that stocks those hard-to-find greeting cards for every obscure occasion.

Food and Provisions

Saturday wouldn't be complete without a visit to Putney Farmers Market(assuming it's a Saturday visit – it runs every Friday and Saturday at St Mary's Church). The organic vegetable stall is my regular stop, and I've discovered more interesting varieties of squash here than I knew existed. The bread stall does a sourdough that's dangerously good, and there's usually a cheese seller who's generous with samples.

For everyday shopping with character, Guiliano delicatessen on Lacy Road offers beautiful charcuterie, cheeses, and prepared foods. It's the sort of place where you pop in for olives and emerge with half a dozen things you didn't know you needed but absolutely must have.

The Putney Pantry is another gem – an independent grocer that stocks everything from fresh pasta to unusual condiments. Their fruit and veg selection puts the supermarkets to shame, and the staff actually know what's in season and can suggest recipes.

Oh, and do you love beer? Since August 2019 Ghost Whale Putney has supplied an amazing selection of craft beers to the good people of Putney. With 8 draft lines, 10 fridges and loads of comfortable seating, Ghost Whale Putney is a wonderful place to try some of the best craft beer in London.

Books, Gifts, and Personal Touches

While Putney has lost some of its independent bookshops over the years, there are still wonderful spots for finding special gifts. The Oxfam bookshop on the High Street is surprisingly well-stocked with quality second-hand books and has saved my bacon more than once when I've forgotten a birthday.

For awesome gifts and curiousities, Lark on Lower Richmond Road is absolute heaven. None of the plastic tat you find in chain stores – just beautifully made toys, books, and gifts that adult and children actually treasure rather than discard after five minutes.

Coffee and Refresh

Punctuate your shopping with excellent coffee. Tried & True (yes, that's us!) serves Square Mile coffee and great breakfasts and lunch. We're not just saying that because it's our place – though we are rather proud of it.

The Spencer pub is perfect for a late lunch if you've worked up an appetite. Proper pub food, done well, with a beer garden for when the weather cooperates.

The Putney Bridge to Wandsworth Route

If you're feeling energetic, the walk along the Thames Path from Putney Bridge toward Wandsworth is glorious. Pop into Putney Wharf for more independent shops and cafes, all with river views. It's flat, pram-friendly, and even on a busy Saturday, there's something calming about being by the water.

Practical Notes

• Best timing: Saturday morning from 9:30am – get there early for the market before it gets hectic

• Parking: Tricky on High Street, but several car parks nearby (Putney Exchange car park is your best bet)

• Public transport: Putney Station (National Rail) and Putney Bridge (District Line) both work well

• Walking loop: High Street → Farmers Market → Lower Richmond Road → Thames Path → back through the Exchange (about 90 minutes at browsing pace)

Why It Matters

In an age of same-day delivery and algorithmic recommendations, there's something rather wonderful about the serendipity of independent shopping. That chance conversation with a shop owner who recommends something perfect for your mother's birthday. The discovery of a product you'd never have found online. The satisfaction of supporting local businesses that give your neighbourhood its character.

Putney's independent shops aren't trying to compete with Amazon's convenience or supermarket prices. They're offering something different – expertise, personality, and that increasingly rare commodity: an actual human connection with the people you're buying from.

So next time you've got a free Saturday morning, skip the online shopping cart and take yourself on a proper wander through Putney. Your street might lose a bit of its soul if we don't use these places, and besides, where else can you sample cheese, discuss the merits of various woodscrews, and find the perfect vintage cookbook all in one morning?

See you out there.

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