Primrose Hill

• Primrose Hill has been so called since the 15th century simply because of the multitude of flowers that grew on its slopes.
• The ‘Primrose Hill set’, a term coined by the newspapers for the many celebrities that moved to the area in the 1990s including actors, models and musicians Sienna Miller, Jude Law, Sadie Frost, Kate Moss, Ewan McGregor, Patsy Kensit and the Gallagher brothers to name but a few.

Very smart, desirable and attractively clustered, Primrose Hill is known for one of the best views in London. Its celebrity residents have also given the area an artistic and bohemian edge. With Regent’s Canal to the south, Euston to the east and northern sides, and by Primrose Hill itself on the west, the area has become increasingly sought-after and affluent since the 1960s which is reflected in the upmarket restaurants, pubs, bars and boutiques that have popped up alongside its residential streets. Its exclusivity is reflected with minimal development and its residents valuing comfortable living spaces, privacy, peace and quiet, and quality food and drink within a few minutes’ walk of their front door.

The majority of properties, which are protected under a conservation order, are stately three or four storey Victorian houses with exposed London brick or plastered white giving the area a grand feel.  Chalcot Square in particular is a vision in pastels, with townhouses overlooking a small fenced park with wooden swings and benches. There are some post-war purpose-built blocks at the northern end of Primrose Hill Road, and the southern end of Gloucester Avenue.

There are some very well-established local favourites, Lemonia who offers fabulous and authentic Mediterranean dishes in its large always busy restaurant, established for over 30 years. Odette’s has been around for even longer, and the one and only Oslo Court located next to the lobby in this block of flats, which first started serving local clientele nearly 40 years ago.

Nearby Camden offers plenty of nightlife with a buzzing late-night scene of bars, live music and clubs as well as the Roundhouse, which has played host to many music legends. It’s now the home of the BBC Electric Proms and numerous festivals, concerts and shows. The Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park is one of the oldest such venues in the world, putting on concerts and plays alike

Home to over 12,000 animals, London Zoo opened in 1828, and is the world’s oldest scientific zoo.

• St John’s Wood is also home to the world renowned, Lord’s Cricket Ground. This historic English landmark hosts matches from county sides to international tests. Tours of the grounds are held daily.
• St John’s High Streethas an excellent range of unique and more familiar shops, with a special emphasis on family.
• The St John’s Wood libraryhas two monthly books clubs, one specifically for crime fiction fans.
• There are Sainsbury’sand Waitrose stores about a mile away on Finchley Road, but great local delis abound. Harry Morgan’s is a must visit: what was once a tiny takeaway deli is now the largest and most famous New York style deli restaurant in London. Panzer’s Deli perfectly serves the needs of international residents, stocking foods from all over the world.
• For those St John’s Wood families too busy to pop to the shops, the butcher Kent & Sonswill deliver any order placed before 11am by 1pm on the same day.

Primrose Hill – offering the most spectacular views.  Take it all in by sitting on the grass and letting any unwanted stress subside. Although it’s only 213 feet high you can see London Zoo, Big Ben, the BT Tower, London Eye and then on to Crystal Palace on the far horizon.

Camden Road station is an 18 minute walk away with eight trains an hour to Stratford (25 mins). South Hampstead station is a 25 minute walk away, with three trains an hour to Euston (10 mins).

Tube: Chalk Farm underground station is an eight minute walk from the hill itself, and is on the Edgware branch of the Northern line. Camden Town tube is around 15 minutes’ walk in the other direction.

Bus: The 31, 274 and C11 all run nearby. Camden and Swiss Cottage have many more buses passing through.

Road: Parking is on the road for most houses, but streets within Primrose hill are quiet. Once outside, north London’s main routes tend to be congested at peak times.

Cycle: Cycling in the area is pleasant, with the Regent’s Canal cycle path a useful and quiet method for getting around. There’s also a TFL bike hire station on Gloucester Avenue.

Getting away: By car, you can get to St Pancras International in 10 minutes, the M1 in 20, Heathrow in 45 and City Airport in 50. Public transport gets you to St Pancras International in 20 minutes, City Airport in an hour and Heathrow in 70 minutes.