Where I write in London #6 Parsons Green

Welcome to Where I Write in London, a weekly blog where I take my laptop somewhere new and report back. The coffee (or wine), the atmosphere, the distractions—I'll cover it all. Come along and grab a seat.

#6: Parsons Green

One of the reasons I write this blog is to take you to parts of London that visitors might never find. Parsons Green is one of those places. It's tucked away in south-west London, centred around a small triangle of green with pubs on two sides and Victorian terraces fanning out in every direction. I used to live nearby, my band rehearses just down the road under Putney Bridge, and I know this area well. Today I came early to write before rehearsal.

It was thirty-five degrees. In London. I know. So shade was everything.

The Green

Parsons Green is named after the actual green, which has been here since medieval times. It's not a grand park — it's a modest stretch of grass surrounded by Georgian and Victorian houses, with three pubs looking onto it.

The area has that village feel, but a relaxed, unpretentious version of it. Young families, professionals who've traded zone one for a bit of breathing room.

The Dogs

I'm starting to think that every single person in Parsons Green has a dog and they're all impeccably behaved. No pulling, no barking, no stealing picnic food. Most dogs I saw today sat calmly at their owner's feet, waited patiently outside shops, and walked at heel off the lead. There must be a collective Cesar Millan operating somewhere in the neighbourhood because this level of canine discipline is not normal.

The Fitness

I'm also starting to think everyone here either runs or has a personal trainer. The ratio of people in gym gear to people not in gym gear is at least three to one, and unlike most of London, they're actually working out. Fun fact: I was in the best shape of my life when I lived here, thanks to a personal trainer called Adam Hoad (he does nutrition now, look him up on TikTok — he's brilliant). Unfortunately, the fitness didn't survive the move. I stopped training, the discipline evaporated, and now I watch Parsons Green joggers from a café chair with a pastry and no regrets.

One.World

If you go to Parsons Green, stop by One.World on Parsons Green Lane. It's a furniture and homeware shop with a coffee shop inside, spread over 3,000 square feet of beautifully styled rooms. I hate shopping — unless it's food — but this is one of the few shops I'll wander into just for the pleasure of it.

The Writing Part

I found a shaded spot, got a coffee, and wrote two chapters of my new book. The working title is Monaco and that's all I'm telling you for now. The heat slowed everything down today and it gave the writing a lazy quality that suited the scenes I was working on.

There's a good café scene here — plenty of places with outdoor seating and nearby Fulham Broadway has more restaurants and shops.

The Overheard Things

"She's got him on raw food now. He's never looked better." "The dog?" "No, the husband."

"I've called every pub in south-west London and there's not a single table left for the football tomorrow. I'm not watching England at home like it's 2020."

"He doesn't need another ball. He has seven balls. Why are you buying him another ball?"

Practical Notes

Go on a weekday if you want to get serious writing done. On a hot day, grab a shaded table early — everyone else has the same idea. The green itself is perfect for a break between writing sessions, and Fulham Broadway is a ten-minute walk if you want a wide choice of lunch options. And if you go into One.World for a coffee, leave your credit card at home.

Next time, I'll take you somewhere different.