Barnes Fair - which will be held on July 14th in 2018 - is London's best village fête.
The long Surrey bend along the river Thames at Barnes is the site of the closing stages of the annual University Boat Race. The race is a great spectacle and the sight of the rival boats emerging from the Hammersmith bend towards Barnes preceeded by the clatter of helicopter blades and followed by a huge flotilla of small boats never fails to stir the heart.
The stretch of riverbank between Barnes and Hammersmith is a peaceful nature reserve and a walk along the tow path is one of those hidden London secrets.
The WWT London Wetland Centre in Barnes is a real haven in the middle of London. Run by the charity the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, it has 100 acres of natural riverside marshland habitat and is home to over 180 species of birds.