The hordes are bearing down on SW19. Thousands of tennis-mad spectators may be obsessed by the delicious prospect of an Andy Murray triumph this weekend, but as they tramp their way to the All England Club, there is a chance some may have been distracted momentarily by another local delight: the large Victorian and Edwardian terraces and plentiful green spaces that make this one of London’s most desirable locations.

But like so many areas of London, there is more than one Wimbledon. The most sought-after houses lie in Wimbledon Village. “Until 100 years ago Wimbledon was a true village with fields all around,” says Clive Moon, of Savills’ Wimbledon office. “But it remains a place where locals make time to say hello to each other.”

South Wimbledon is up-and-coming, with prices starting to get closer to those of the village, while Wimbledon Town and Wimbledon Park are the slightly poorer relations.

So what are house prices like?

It depends where you are looking. “A typical two-bedroom terraced house in the centre of Wimbledon would cost you £400,000, while a onebedroom flat would cost between £225,000 and £250,000,” says Richard Marsh, of SW19 estate agents. “The village, on the other hand, is a complete micro-market; family homes start at £1 million and flats cost as much as £750,000.”

Which are the smartest streets?

Marryat Road is popular, as are Highbury Road and The Grange. In the town centre, the roads around South Park Gardens, equidistant between the Northern Line and mainline services, are the ones to look at.

Any architectural gems?

Southside House, on the south corner of Wimbledon Common, was rebuilt by Robert Pennington in the William and Mary style in 1687. The house is used as a private residence by descendants of Lord Pennington, but has been maintained in traditional style and contains an impressive collection of art and historical objects. It is sometimes open to the public (www.southsidehouse.com).

St Mary’s Church and the Windmill on Wimbledon Common, built in 1817 by Charles March, are also worth a visit.

What’s the quality of life like?

Excellent. “One of the reasons that Wimbledon is so popular with buyers coming out of Central London is that it is a village within London,” says Dominic Pasqua, head of Knight Frank’s Wimbledon office. “You have access to all the Central London nightlife, shops, restaurants and so on, but there is a real village atmosphere. There are lovely cafés, a butcher, fishmonger and two riding schools.”

You also have hundreds of acres of green space, with Wimbledon Common stretching from the Royal Wimbledon Golf Course to Putney Vale. There are some great shops in the village, including Joseph, Matches and the upmarket Swedish interiors boutique, Sia.

Are there good schools in the area?

“Some of the best schooling in the country,” Pasqua says. King’s College School, for boys, and Wimbledon High School, for girls, regularly appear near the top of league tables.

What about transport links?

There are Tube (District line) and overground services from Wimbledon Station: trains run to Clapham Junction and Waterloo. Wimbledon Park Tube is also on the District line, while South Wimbledon is on the Northern line.

Pubs and restaurants?

The village is dominated by chain restaurants, such as Pizza Express, Strada and Café Rouge, but there are some good — if pricey — independents; notably Lydon’s and San Lorenzo Fuoriporta. There are plenty of good pubs, including the Dog & Fox, the Fox and Grapes and the Rose & Crown.

Any downsides?

It is very hectic during Wimbledon fortnight.

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