The Royal Borough of Kensington has a long and storied history, one filled with rich culture and some of the finest architecture London has to offer. But what is it like to live in Kensington? Read on and find out everything that makes residing in this part of the capital so enticing.
Properties in Kensington
One of the biggest draws to Kensington is its property stock. A strong mixture of period buildings and luxury developments dominate the area. It’s one of the main reasons why it is one of the most sought after places to live in London.
Much of the period architecture is European influenced by French and Dutch designs. This can be seen in the many gorgeous white terraces, residential off-street squares and leafy streets, adding to the affluent feel of living in the area.
Many of the properties in Kensington consist of flats in large converted Edwardian buildings which feature high ceilings, beautiful sash windows and plenty of living space inside. Couples and downsizers tend to be attracted to the pretty cottages around Kensington Church, while the houses close by to Kensington High Street always prove to be a popular choice for families.
There are plenty of mews houses on offer in Kensington, in places like Adam and Eve Mews, Lexham Mews and Radley Mews. These properties are often deceptively large as they have been extended over the years. The many red brick mansion blocks in Kensington also provide a sense of history and character that isn’t easily found in other areas of the capital.
To buy a property in Kensington requires a large financial investment, with the average price currently sitting at the £1.3 million mark. However, more value can be found in the post-war apartment blocks dotted throughout the area. Depending on whether you are purchasing a flat, apartment or house, and taking into account how many bedrooms are included, average prices can start anywhere from £325,000 (1 bedroom) and £2.75 million (5 bedrooms). Period properties tend to command a premium.
Things to do in Kensington
From the V&A Museum, to the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, Kensington is known for being the guardian of much of the UK’s historical items of value. The strong French connection in the borough also extends to cinema, with the Ciné Lumière at the Institut Français showing the latest arthouse and Gallic releases.
Kensington is also something of a retail heaven for shoppers, although luxury does come at a price. Harrods and Harvey Nichols are located to the south of the borough, with a string of boutiques found in Fulham Road, Bute Street and Brompton Road. There are also brands galore in Sloane Square, King’s Road and Kensington High Street.
Food and drink is also plentiful in the area, ranging from familiar casual dining chains to Michelin star restaurants and haute cuisine. The diversity of the restaurant scene here also means you could try something different every night of the week for months and still have plenty of options left over to keep you entertained for some time.
Schools in Kensington
As you would expect, schools in Kensington are of a very high standard. The area is home to many of the top performing state schools in London. Notable primaries to mention include Ark Brunel Primary Academy and Barlby Primary School, while secondary schools such as The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School and Chelsea Academy are highly sought after. All of these have been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted during their last round of reports. High-performing private schools include Bassett House and Cameron House at prep level, and Kensington Park School and Queen’s Gate School at the senior level.
Green Spaces
Wherever you live in Kensington, you are never far from nature. There is no shortage of relaxing green spaces in Kensington, with the likes of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens all close to hand. These Royal Parks are always well kept and feature attractions such as the Serpentine Gallery and the Serpentine Lido.
Transport in Kensington
South West London isn’t renowned for its transport links but Kensington is one of the few exceptions to the rule. There are two tube stations available – South Kensington and Gloucester Road. These operate on both the District and Circle and Piccadilly lines. This takes you into the centre of London in as little as 10 minutes.
West Brompton Overground is also on hand, with trains connecting to Clapham Junction in just over 10 minutes. There are also plenty of buses, with the 14 and 74 going to Warren Street and Baker Street respectively. Night buses also operate in the area, making the journey back and forth between Kensington and Trafalgar Square.
Moving to Kensington
Hastings International are specialists in Kensington Property. For more information on moving to Kensington, including property to rent and buy, please contact our team on 020 7378 9000.
