If you are currently looking to buy a property in London or searching for the best places to rent in London, deciding which areas to focus on may prove quite a challenge. Having been an integral part of the London property market since 1982, we're always delighted to offer advice and guidance.
That's why our sales and lettings teams have come together to share their views on some of the best places to live in the capital.
The Choice For International Investors
The London property market has always been a safe haven for investors, and recently the weak pound has made property prices even more attractive to overseas buyers. The areas described below have much to offer if you are considering the purchase of a primary residence, a second home or a buy-to-let property.
If you prefer to invest in an area full of sophistication and old-world charm, then Hyde Park, Knightsbridge and Marylebone are worth exploring. In Battersea and Kings Cross you will discover a more dynamic environment: these are places that have been transformed by award-winning developments, complete with exciting new retail and leisure opportunities.
Battersea
The spectacular regeneration of Battersea Power Station has kick-started Battersea's transformation from a somewhat down-at-heel railway hub to a gleaming, Manhattan-style development right beside the river Thames.
The power station project, now in its final stages of completion, includes offices, shops, bars and restaurants as well as high quality residential accommodation.
For those who prefer more traditional properties, Battersea offers attractive streets of terraced Victorian houses and red brick mansion blocks in the area around the park (Battersea Park is an 83-hectare green space with a small children's zoo and a boating lake).
The new Zone One London Underground Station at Battersea Power Station, on the Northern Line, will significantly add to the area's connectivity when it opens this autumn. If you are looking to invest in London property, Battersea is a promising area with tremendous growth potential.
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Hyde Park
If you want access to green, open spaces whilst also enjoying everything central London has to offer, Hyde Park is the perfect place to call home. As the name suggests, at the heart of this area is the vast, 142-hectare open space that includes both Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
The park offers not only a range of water activities on the Serpentine, a 40 acre recreational lake created in 1730 by Queen Caroline but also offers a variety of sport and exercise amenities, including facilities for horse riding, running, bowls, football, tennis and even a flying trapeze school. Within the park you’ll find the picturesque Princess Diana memorial fountain, Kensington Palace and spectacular rose gardens imagined in the shape of a horn. Nearby you'll stumble upon lovely white stucco townhouses and pretty cobbled streets with attractive mews houses.
On the Hyde Park Estate, Connaught Village is the perfect spot for exclusive shopping, drinking, and dining. At the same time, West End shops and the sophisticated bars and restaurants of Marylebone and Mayfair are just a short cab ride away. This makes Hyde Park the ideal choice if you are thinking of buying a second home in the capital.
Hyde Park Properties for Sale Hyde Park Properties to Rent
Kings Cross
This is a great place to live if you like to be on the move, as it offers rail connections to France, Scotland and the north of England. Kings Cross and St. Pancras have recently been part of a huge regeneration drive. This has allowed developers to focus on some of the area's most attractive features, such as its canals and industrial heritage.
This hip, creative hub is a great draw for young professionals who flock here to enjoy new food trends: the area has a wealth of exciting independent eateries serving global cuisine.
As well as enjoying excellent national and international rail connectivity, residents can reach the West End and the City in a matter of minutes via the Northern and Victoria lines. Kings Cross is one of the best places to buy in London: it's a rapidly growing area with great potential for investment.
Kings Cross Properties for Sale Kings Cross Properties to Rent
Marylebone
If you love traditional, old-world charm with delightful eateries and stylish boutiques, Marylebone is for you. This part of London is a true 'urban village': a place with a strong community vibe, where local characters rub shoulders with celebrities and city professionals.
Although the area is just minutes from the bustle of Oxford Street, it is a surprising haven of calm, where you can relax and drink coffee at one of the many charming pavement cafes or take a stroll in beautiful Regents Park.
If you are looking for properties for sale in Marylebone, you'll find a wide choice of property types, from substantial, red brick mansion blocks to 18th and 19th-century townhouses, with a sprinkling of more modern, high-end apartments. With its proximity to the West End, Marylebone makes the ideal location for a pied-a-terre or second home.
Marylebone Properties for Sale Marylebone Properties to Rent
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is home to some of the wealthiest and most influential people in London. The exclusive department stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols may be synonymous with Knightsbridge, but the area has so much more to offer.
It's a place where education is highly prized, and there are excellent schools for all ages. Residents also enjoy some wonderful cultural opportunities, including world-class museums and a famous classical music venue. To the east, Knightsbridge borders Hyde Park, with its leafy, open spaces and an excellent range of sports facilities.
Lovers of traditional architectural style will be drawn to the traditional, red-brick homes on Cadogan Square or the majestic, white stucco-fronted townhouses on the Grosvenor Estate. However, buyers and renters who prefer a modern, serviced apartment can select from a range of high-end developments with a 24-hour concierge.
Knightsbridge Properties for Sale Knightsbridge Properties to Rent
Whether you are looking for a new home, investing in property or exploring properties to rent in London, it's important to learn as much as possible about your chosen area. Simply contact us, and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
