The borough of Wandsworth lies south of the Thames, and to the west of Lambeth. Many bridges cross the river from Wandsworth to Fulham, Chelsea and Westminster. It is thought that a Saxon nobleman gave his name to the tributary of the Thames known as the River Wandle, which still exists today. Wandsworth - 'the village by the Wandle' - evolved on its banks.

Wandsworth boasts a number of famous former residents, including writers Daniel Defoe, Voltaire, Edward Gibbon and Thomas Thackeray and its landmarks beside the Thames include Battersea Park and the now disused Battersea Power Station. Wandsworth Common is another important open space as well as Clapham Junction, one of the busiest railway stations in the world.

One recent development is the new Covent Garden Market. Wandsworth in the west of the borough has a large new Arndale shopping center. One fascinating part of Wandsworth’s heritage was the Vauxhall Gardens, a place of amusement for Londoners from the 17th century until 1840. Wandsworth includes the London postcodes of SW8, SW11, SW15, SW18, SW12, SW17.