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Substantial Apartment for Rent with Period Charm and Garden Studio in St John’s Wood, London

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Looking for apartments for rent in London that offer more than just convenience? This impressive period apartment in St John’s Wood, London blends architectural charm with modern features — plus a private garden studio for extra flexibility.

A Home That Blends History with Function

Set within a converted Victorian building, this spacious apartment has been carefully updated while retaining its original features. Inside, you’ll find:

– High ceilings and large sash windows
– Two generous double bedrooms
– Elegant living room with decorative fireplace
– Contemporary kitchen with integrated appliances
– Garden-facing dining area

This is not just another rental — it’s a home full of character and warmth.

Garden Studio for Remote Work or Creative Pursuits

Beyond the main apartment, a beautifully finished garden studio adds value and versatility. Whether you’re working from home, need a guest room, or want a private gym, this space adapts to your lifestyle.

Excellent St John’s Wood Location

Located in the heart of London, the apartment is moments from local cafes, green spaces, and top-rated schools. Excellent public transport ensures you’re well-connected across the city — a key selling point for any estate agency in London.

This property won’t stay on the market for long. Contact Phillips Harrod to book your private viewing today.

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Elegant House for Rent with South-Facing Garden in the Heart of London

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If you’re looking for a refined house for rent in London, this elegant property offers the ideal blend of sophistication and comfort. Nestled in a quiet street in London, it features a rare south-facing garden — perfect for city living with a touch of tranquillity.

A Home with Character and Comfort

This charming house stands out with its classic façade and thoughtfully restored interiors. You’ll find:

– A spacious double reception room with hardwood flooring
– Modern kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances
– Generous natural light throughout
– Three well-sized bedrooms
– Two bathrooms, one en-suite

The layout has been designed with both entertaining and family life in mind.

A South-Facing Garden to Enjoy All Year Round

One of the home’s standout features is its private, south-facing garden — an increasingly rare luxury in apartments for rent in London. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or enjoying a peaceful morning coffee, this space brings calm and greenery into urban life.

Prime Location in London

Located in the heart of London , the property is within walking distance to top schools, charming cafés, and boutique shops. Excellent transport links make commuting across the capital seamless.

Ideal for Long-Term Tenants Seeking Quality Living

This property is ideal for families or professionals who appreciate high standards and elegant surroundings. With its prime location and outdoor space, it offers a unique opportunity in today’s rental market.
Interested in viewing this exceptional home? Contact Phillips Harrod today to arrange a private viewing.

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Houses for Sale in London

Buyers Benefit from More Settled Property Market

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If you are looking for houses for sale in London then you’ll be glad to hear the market has become less competitive in recent weeks. That’s because the race to make the most of the Stamp Duty reductions is over – on April 1 this year to be exact. That’s when stamp duty taxes reverted to standard charges again.

Apartments for sale London: Stamp Duty Relief

In September 2022 the government at the time ruled that no Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) was due on properties up to £250,000 in England and Northern Ireland.

First-time buyers were also given relief when the SDLT threshold was increased from £300,000 to £425,000. When it came to houses for sale in London, the maximum value of a first-time buyers’ property that qualified for SDLT relief was also increased under the Stamp Duty Land Tax (Reduction) Bill -from £500,000 to £650,000. In total, the changes gave first-time buyers looking at houses for sale in London savings of up to £11,250. No SDLT relief was given to properties worth more than £250,000.

Apartments for sale London: Current SDLT Rates

From 1 April this year however, the zero percent threshold fell back to £125,000. At the same time, the first-time buyers’ threshold reverted to the original £300,000. Current rates for SDLT in England and Norther Ireland are as follows:

£0-£125,000 (£300,000 for first-time buyers) pays no SDLT

£125,001-£250,000 buyer pays 2%

£250,001-£925,000 buyer pays 5%

£925,001-£1.5m buyer pays 10%

£1.5m+ buyer pays 12% SDLT

Apartments for sale London: Sales 17 Percent Higher

With the SDLT relief for houses for sale in London ending on March 31, it meant, of course, that the number of properties sold in the capital in March was artificially high. Data from Knight Frank shows it was 17 per cent higher than in March 2024.

Having said that, the Stamp Duty race didn’t affect the London prime residential market as much, due to the fact that SDLT savings in the higher property bracket were proportionally lower. In fact, the average cost of property in Prime Central London (PCL) fell by 0.7 per cent in the first three months of this year. It was the biggest fall since January 2024.

Apartments for sale London: Prices Increase 1.5 Per cent

It was a different story for property in the Prime Outer London. There, prices jumped by 1.5 per cent in March. It was an increase for the second month in a row.

Analysts Say Property Market to Become More ‘STABLE’

Property analysts though aren’t putting too much store on the recent property prices for houses for sale in London. Nor are they overly worried about the way the market performed in the first three months of the year.

A spokesman for Knight Frank described the period from January to March as being “marked by uncertainty and volatility.” He went on to say that he believed the situation would even itself out by summer and for the rest of this year.

Other economic concerns are on the horizon and which could have an effect on the property market. These are mainly the tariffs introduced by the current US government. In the UK it’s 10 per cent on exports, which could have an effect on inflation, making a cut in mortgage interest rates less likely.

Apartments for sale London: Get in Touch

Need help when it comes to houses for sale in London?

Our experienced team has been selling prime residential properties in London for over 10 years. To secure our help contact us on 0207 1234 152.

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Is Your Potential Property Super Prime – or Just Prime?

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When it comes to buying apartments in London, you will be delighted at the range of properties available. The capital offers charming chocolate box cottages, super-modern flats and handsome townhouses, to name just a few property types.

Of course, you’ll also find prime and super-prime properties in abundance here too. Both categories have properties which are considered ‘top of the league’ and luxurious. But there are distinctions between the two. If you’re confused about what that is and are looking to buy an apartment in London, then do read on, as we explain it in this blog post.

Find a property London: Prime bracket

Price. You can expect to pay anything from £2 million up to £10 million for a prime property in London. That’s quite a large price range, resulting in a large selection of different property types.
Potential buyer: Professionals will buy in this price range. So too will families familiar with a certain standard of living.
Area: Your prime property may not necessarily be in the prestigious locations of Chelsea, Kensington, Wimbledon etc. Instead, it may be in up-and-coming and ‘trendy’ areas such as Shoreditch or Islington. There are many properties for sale in this price range in Notting Hill as well.
Property characteristics: A high quality finish is par for the course in this property bracket. It is luxury living, after all so expect little glamour and bespoke touches.

Find a property London: Super-prime bracket

Price. As you might expect, super-prime properties start at around £10 million. Another way they’re often priced is in terms of per square foot. And, in this case, expect to pay around £4,000 per square foot.

Potential buyer: Investors from overseas, wealthy individuals and, of course, celebrities are the type of buyers which the super-prime property category typically attracts.
Area: Buying an apartment in London in the super-prime range means looking in Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Wimbledon, Mayfair and Chelsea. The properties tend to be in well-established areas, with the properties hundreds of years old, rather than contemporary (although many will have modern elements added).
Property characteristics: The type of materials used in the build and interior, together with bespoke designs, such as a wine cellar, indoor pool and gym can often be found in a super-prime property.

Find a property London: Further Super-prime Elements

To look further into the subject of super-prime property, we have to also consider other elements. These include exclusivity, cultural significance, architectural design, facilities, security, and investment potential.

In terms of exclusivity, super-prime properties tend to come on the market rarely and many are bought in private negotiations ie you won’t always find them advertised on high-end estate agency sites, making finding a property in London that is super-prime more difficult than many buyers may imagine.

You can buy an apartment in London in the super-prime bracket and feel confident that the architectural construction and interior design will be filled with bespoke elements. At the same time, the woodwork, installation etc will have been completed by tradesmen at the top of their game.

Find a property London: Concierge Services and a Private Chef

Many super-prime properties come with a concierge service. There may even be a butler, housekeeper, driver and chef. You can also expect to find up-to-the-minute security features such as discreet CCTV, gated entrances and 24-hour surveillance.

Find a property London: Contact Us

If you’re in the market for buying an apartment in London in the super-prime range then do get in touch with our expert team here at Phillips Harrod. Tel 0207 1234 152 today.

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apartments for rent in London

Landlords in Kensington and Chelsea See Big Annual Rental Rise

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A big demand for apartments for rent in London, and Kensington and Chelsea in particular, has seen an annual rental increase of nearly 10 per cent on average for the area.

It brings the annual private rent in Kensington and Chelsea to £3,663. That was in April this year and was a 9.3 per cent rise on the April 2024 figure of £3,351. Rental income in London as a whole rose by slightly less – at 8.4 per cent.

Estate agency London: Landlords see profits rise

Drilling down further in to the figures for Kensington and Chelsea we can see that landlords of flats or maisonettes received an additional 9.8 per cent rental income over the past 12 months, while owners of semi-detached and terraced rentals benefited financially from a further 8.8 per cent.

The biggest jump in the cost of apartments for rent in London was for one bed properties. The rent for these increased by 10.2 per cent and for larger family homes with at least four bedrooms, the rent increased by 7.7 per cent. It brought the cost to rent a one-bedroom property in the area to around £2,595 a month. Two-bedroom properties came in at around £3,378. The average three-bedroom rental cost £4,018 a month, and that family home we mentioned earlier – which had increased by 7.7 per cent, now costs an average £5,660 a month to rent.

Of the type of properties in Kensington and Chelsea which are private rentals, semi-detached properties attract the most rent, with an average income of £4,776. Terraced properties were fetching landlords a monthly income of £4,504. Next most lucrative was apartments for rent in London at £3,020 per month, while detached properties in the area were attracting monthly rental income of £2,886.
But it’s not just in the prime and super-prime property market that landlords have benefitted from rental income rises. In the London as a whole, private rents increased to £2,246 from £2,071 on average.

Estate agency London: highest prices in London

The average house price in the Kensington and Chelsea area was £1,188,000 in March this year. That was the highest average price across the whole of London, according to the government’s Office of National Statistics who published the figures. It’s also far higher than the average house price for the whole of the UK which, in March this year was £271,000 (up from £255,000 in March 2024.

The latest average price of £1188,000 for Kensington and Chelsea is a 15.1 per cent drop compared to the same period in 2024. Then a house was typically selling for £1400,000 on average.

Estate agency London: price reductions for flats and detached homes

Both detached properties and apartments for rent in London fell by more than 10 per cent. The former saw a drop of 13 per cent and the latter 15.6 per cent. It meant that detached properties were selling for £4,146,000 on average, while flats are maisonettes were an average of £949,000.

Neither semi-detached properties (worth an average of £2,870,000) nor terraced homes (at £2,225,000) saw a fall in price.

When it comes to first-time buyers in the area, the average property price came in at £1,019,000 in March this year. That was a drop of 15.1 per cent compared to March 2024’s average figure of £1,200,000.

Estate agency London: contact us

Are you looking to invest in apartments for rent in London’s prime market? If so, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our estate agency London experts. Tel Phillips Harrod: 0207 1234 152.

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House for Rent in London

Update on Prime Property Market Performance

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Considering investing in a house for rent in London? If so, then there’s no better time to take a quick look over the performance of the property market since the start of 2025.

Different areas in the city vary in popularity and cost, of course. You’ll find though that here at Phillips Harrod it’s the prime and super-prime property market that piques our interest. The latter consists of properties which are let out from £5000 a week. That’s an incredibly niche market and one which appeals mainly to overseas investors.

Prime apartments for rent London

Looking at the market over a 12-month period to February this year, there are nine per cent more super-prime houses for rent in London than in February 2024. That’s according to a report by researchers at Knight Frank. Looking at prime London property though, the picture isn’t quite as rosy, with 10 per cent less prime property to rent in the first quarter of the year. Of course, it all depends on how you look at it. Fewer prime properties to rent, means more competition and potentially a higher rental yield.

Apartments for rent London: demand grows as supply falls

Certainly, there are slightly more tenants than properties to let over the same period (ie January to April, this year). It’s not a huge jump but at five tenants per property this year compared to 4.6 in 2024, the figure does show that demand is growing, while supply is diminishing. And for landlords that can only be a good thing.

For instance, the average prime rental property in Outer London increased by 0.6 per cent within the first three months of the year. That worked out at an annual increase of 0.8 per cent and will almost certainly mean a jump in the cost of any house for rent in London.

One property analyst blamed the falling supply of desirable houses for rent in London on a growing number of landlords leaving the sector.

“Demand is strong, so it’s obviously very positive for landlords who choose to remain in the prime London market,” he said. For tenants though, it’s a case of trying to seal in a deal before the rents go up higher over the coming months or year. For there is no doubt that will be the case.”

Apartments for rent London: Zoopla report

A report by property portal Zoopla and published in March this year, shows the company has no hesitation in predicting that rents will increase this year. Again, it’s due to a lack of supply, not just in London, but throughout the UK.

In fact, the average rental property in the prime London market is around 20 per cent higher than in January 2021 when the market picked up again after lockdown.

In terms of location, prime property in both North and East of the capital proved strongest, with the cost of a house to rent in London having increased by 2 per cent. This includes areas such as Islington and Wapping.

In Central London, ie Kensington to the City of London, rents haven’t risen quite as much. However, such is the nature of prime property investment in the Capital that many of the renters are expected to be from overseas and looking for a base here. That’s especially since the ending of the non-dom status and addition of the annual tax of enveloped dwellings (ATED) will make it more expensive to purchase apartments for rent in London than previously. Renting is therefore the next logical step.

Apartments for rent London: get in touch

If you would like help to find a house to rent in London then contact our expert team at Phillips Harrod today. Tel: 0207 1234 152.

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Best Private Schools in London & Top Places to Live Close By

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Best Private Schools in London & Top Places to Live Close By

Clustered around the city’s capital are many of the best private schools in London. Often sitting alongside iconic attractions, London has the biggest selection of private schools in the UK, including lots of the country’s top-performing institutions.

A destination for world class education, some of the globe’s most esteemed, oldest educational establishments can be found in central London.

Serving up an intoxicating blend of superior GCSE and A-Level results, unrivalled educational experiences, glorious architecture and former students who have gone on to become key players on the world stage, London’s best private schools are highly-respected institutions famous worldwide.

Amongst central London’s elite private schools, St Paul’s Girls’ School and Westminster School are the country’s top-performing independent schools which outrank their competitors year after year. Here’s all you need to know about the best private schools in London and great areas to live close by.

Best Private Schools in London & Top Places to Live Nearby

Private School vs Independent School: Are they the same?

Private school and independent school do not mean the same thing although in everyday language they are often used as if they do. Any fee-paying school in the UK is a private school so all independent schools are private schools.

Private schools in the UK are characterised by their freedom to pursue the educational curriculum of their choice and set their own terms for things like admissions and class sizes.

Led by an independent owner, which could be an organisation, individual or company, private schools are the UK’s original educational establishments which date back centuries.

If a private school is managed by a board of governors or trustees (who may be a collection of individuals from various walks of life) it is called an independent school. Independent schools tend to be particularly singular in their approach – hence their name.

All private schools in the UK are regulated via compulsory government registration and inspections administered by the DfE-approved Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) who operate under OFSTED and the ISC (Independent Schools Council).

Here’s West London’s finest private schools, which each feature in the UK’s top 10 best private schools year on year.

St Paul’s Girls’ School, Hammersmith: With a mission to awaken the joy of learning with enthusiasm and fun, St Paul’s Girls’ School is a warm, innovative independent school for girls aged 11-18.

Despite its consistent academic achievements where around 93-92% of St Paul’s school leavers achieve an A or A* at A-Level with similar results for GCSEs, the focus at St Paul’s Girls’ School is on an all-round, holistic education delivered in a warm, supportive environment.

Though the emphasis is on education rather than exams, St Paul’s Girls’ School maintains a monopoly on the coveted position of London’s best private school.

Founded in 1904, St Paul’s governing body includes members of Oxford, Cambridge and London universities.

A traditional yet innovative curriculum where students are encouraged to pursue their own interests has spawned an impressive list of former pupils who have become influential in Britain and around the world.

Former students include: Mischa Barton, Susanna Reid, Emily Mortimer, Alexander Shulman, Carol Thatcher, Jean Ginsburg, Catherine Storr, Rosalind Storr and countless others. …More

Top places to live nearby: Kensington, Maida Vale, Belsize Park, St John’s Wood and Primrose Hill.

Westminster School, Westminster: Located amidst the iconic, historical structures of Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster, Westminster School has medieval roots which pre-dates 1066.

With a mission to develop inquisitive minds and a passion for learning, Westminster School remains one of the UK’s foremost institutions.

Fostering a great respect for academia in its students, Westminster proudly holds the esteemed titles of one of the top 2 private schools in the country and the UK institution with the highest number of students who go on to study at Oxford or Cambridge.

Educating boys from 7-17, places are open to girls from the age of 16 for the final two years of schooling, known as sixth form. One of only 10 London private schools which offer boarding as well as day places, around 25% of Westminster’s students are boarders (although many spend Saturday evening and Sunday at home).

Lying in the midst of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s no surprise this landmark institution has an endless list of remarkable former students including: Sir Christopher Wren, Henry Purcell, Charles Wesley, A.A.Milne, Charles Anderson Scott. Nigel Lawson, Andrew Lloyd Webber and 6 British prime ministers. ..More

Top residential locations close by: Belgravia, Knightsbridge, Mayfair and Marylebone. Browse local properties

Godolphin and Latymer School, Hammersmith: A desire to equip its students with the real-world skills they need to thrive in life as successful individuals sees girls at Godolphin and Latymer regularly outperform their contemporaries.

Catering to girls aged 11 – 18, Godolphin and Latymer School offers a lively, rich education where depth and breadth ensure every interest, potential and aspiration is pursued.

Founded in 1861, this celebrated independent school has a record for robust academic teaching which includes a passion for global issues. Ex-students include: Nigella Lawson, Carrie Johnson, Kate Beckinsale, Hattie Jacques and Winifred Watkins. ..More

Top places to live nearby: Maida Vale, Notting Hill, Belsize Park, St John’s Wood and Primrose Hill. Browse local properties

City of London School, Blackfriars: Offering two sites, City of London School for boys in Blackfriars and City of London School for Girls in Barbican, are amongst London’s top 10 private schools.

Located along the River Thames, close to many world-famous London attractions, City of London School and its partner girls school are highly regarded educational establishments.

Accepting children aged 10-18 (7-18 for City of London Girls), both schools foster a love of creative, intellectual and physical learning cultivated in an atmosphere of kindness where respect for others is paramount.

Former students include: Kingsley Amis, Daniel Radcliffe, Lord Ashby, Julian Barnes, Peter Higgs and H.H. Asquith. ..More

Top Residential Locations Nearby: Marylebone, Mayfair, St John’s Wood and Regent’s Park. Browse local properties

South Hampstead High School, Hampstead: Founded in 1876, South Hampstead High School is an independent school with one eye on the future. Promoting an innovative, holistic curriculum, students are empowered to become confident, happy and successful learners who are gamechangers with the power to adapt and succeed. Inspiring girls aged 4 and 18 years of age to soar and achieve, ex-pupils include: Fay Weldon, Lynne Featherstone, Angela Lansbury, Netta Rheinberg, Helena Bonham-Carter and Katya Adler. ..More

Top residential areas nearby: Belsize Park, Primrose Hill, St John’s Wood, Maida Vale and Regent’s Park. Browse local properties>

Learn more about these top London locations in our useful local area guides >

Talk to us about our luxury London properties on 0207 272 2259 or send us a message.

Links:

More – St Paul’s.

https://spgs.org/

More – Westm.

https://www.westminster.org.uk/

More – Gol.

https://www.godolphinandlatymer.com/

More – City of L.

https://www.cityoflondonschool.org.uk/

https://clsg.org.uk/

More – South Hamp

https://www.shhs.gdst.net/

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St John’s Wood Area Guide, NW8

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St John’s Wood Area Guide, NW8

Pic of own St John’s Wood property

Situated in prime London, St John’s Wood is one of London’s most distinguished postcodes. Located within the superior residential area which stretches from Knightsbridge to Hampstead and Mayfair, it’s here you’ll find London’s most luxurious properties.

When neighbouring structures include: Regent’s Park, Lord’s Cricket Ground, Hyde Park, London Zoo, The Dorchester, Selfridges, Kensington Palace and Harrods, a home in St John’s Wood is a unique chance to enjoy the very best of London from one of its best residential areas.

Here’s your complete guide to St John’s Wood, its homes and all it has to offer.

St John’s Wood Area Guide, NW8

Tucked away on the perimeters of Regent’s Park in north west London, St John’s Wood is a serene, luxurious residential district. Boasting tree-lined avenues and picturesque, open green spaces, such as Hyde Park and Regent’s Park, NW8 is a sought-after postcode for those wanting to live in the capital.

Why choose St John’s Wood?

Most famous for Lord’s Cricket Ground, Abbey Road Studios (of Beatles’ crossing fame) and its unusually large number of beautiful detached homes, St John’s Wood holds instant appeal for buyers in central London.

Despite the grandeur of its properties, St John’s Wood retains a warm village feel with the benefits of London’s best facilities on your doorstep. Its prestigious neighbourhoods attract both young professionals and families.

See our useful guide >

Luxury Properties to Buy or Rent in St John’s Wood, London

In a city where space is at a premium, St John’s Wood’s grand detached houses are highly valuable properties which move quickly. Stucco-fronted, gated or grade II-listed, these magnificent, luxury period homes hark back to London’s most opulent eras.

Known as villas, stacked multi-floors high, detached houses in St John’s Wood are wonderfully preserved, retaining resplendent classic features which give the neighbourhoods of St John’s Wood so much character.

Elegant villas in St John’s Woods can be bought or rented, both as spacious family homes or roomy apartments, reflecting the range of age groups which inhabit this leafy corner of west London.

Exquisite architecture is plentiful here and you’ll find St John’s Woods’ villas are accompanied by lavish mansion houses and pretty townhouses. Variety means you’ll have a wonderful choice of exceptional, spacious semi-detached and detached properties with huge gardens, providing both super luxury houses and apartments.

Its high number of residential properties is central to St John’s Wood’s village-like atmosphere. As a protected conservation area, St John’s Wood’s large quantity of residents is sustained, making it a wonderful, quiet haven away from London’s busy tourists and formal business districts.

You’ll also find the council tax rates in St John’s Wood are the lowest in the country.

A range of super luxe properties in high demand are accompanied by a very low crime rate and beautiful green surroundings, creating a tranquil, scenic retreat in the heart of central London.

First-rate properties, superb amenities and the opportunity to make lasting friendships with your neighbours (which doesn’t always happen in an international city like London) means people tend to stay here. Bars, delis, retaurants, boutiques and parks help to create the area’s inviting village atmosphere.

In the Local Area

St John’s Wood’s proximity to prime London means it’s perfect for work, rest and play at any age.

To the right are Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill and Hampstead, playgrounds of so many of Britain’s most famous faces. Above are the notorious streets of Notting Hill and Holland Park, vibrant London locations so often the focuses of England’s most well-known films and celebrity sightings as well as the UK’s world-class museums.

To the left are Kensington, Knightsbridge and Hyde Park, again, iconic areas of London, home to Kensington Palace (where Prince William and Princess Kate resided until August 2022), the Diana Memorial and Children’s Playground, King’s Road, Chelsea Football Club and more.

Below lie Mayfair, Marylebone and Westminster, London’s most notable areas where you’ll find Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, Oxford Street, more top London parks and Harrods.

On the perimeters lie London’s best private schools, including: St Paul’s Girls’ School, Westminster School, Godolphin and Latymer School, City of London School and more. A collection of state schools here are also of the highest class, formerly counting British prime minister’s children amongst their pupils.

For international schools, the American School and ICS are just some of the top global institutions close by.

It’s little wonder famous faces from around the world as well as the UK, choose to call this area home. From media moguls to MPs, British royalty, lawyers, bankers, fashion gurus and pop stars, you never know who you’ll bump into in this part of London.

Learn more about London’s best private schools

Best private schoools guide>

St John’s Wood: Historical Significance

It was in the 1800s that St John’s Wood came into its own as a popular place of residence for bankers, merchants and aristocrats. The vision of Henry Samuel Eyre to replicate the beauty of the Roman spa town of Bath saw St John’s Wood develop into the stunning London locality it is today.

Prior to the 19th century, St John’s Wood was a large woodland district owned by the Knights of St John.

During its early nineteenth century evolution Lord’s Cricket Ground was first established in it’s original form as Thomas Lord’s Cricket Ground in 1814. During the 1930s, a collection of exquisite private apartment blocks were added to the mix. Later, St John’s Wood became part of the borough of Westminster.

George Eliot, Katherine Mansfield and Barbara Hepworth are amongst its notable historic residents.

On Your Doorstep

In this charming corner of London, an early morning jog could take you through Hyde Park, Regent’s Park or along the pretty canals of Little Venice.

Your super-short journey into work (just two stops on the tube or a quick walk) leaves plenty of time to enjoy the local area on your return.

Daytimes mean stops at local St John’s Wood delis (some of the best in London), artisan bakeries and gourmet coffee shops. Strolling its tree-lines avenues, you’ll be intrigued by specialist boutiques, bookshops, wine shops and parks.

For evenings there are bars, restaurants and gastro pubs where craft beers, Michelin-starred restaurants and fine wines accompany animated conversations in relaxed, friendly surroundings full of community spirit.

Truly, this is an unrivalled place in which to enjoy all the best London has to offer.

Browse more beautiful, luxury properties in St John’s Wood for rent or sale now. >

Or learn more about top luxury London locations in our useful local area guides <to local area guides>. To talk to us about our properties call: 0207 272 2259 or send us a message.

Browse luxury properties in Hampstead >

Delis

https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/article/regional-delis-in-london

Parks

https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/the-regents-park

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London’s Finest Booms: Recording-Breaking £3 Billion Prime London Sales

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You would be forgiven for anticipating a drop in London’s luxury property market for 2022. Yet the data for London property sales for the first six months of the year might surprise you.

Despite the catalogue of recent global events which have seen us lurch from the pandemic to the financial crisis then the war in Ukraine, London’s luxury property market has seen sales increase dramatically this year.

In fact, it’s fair to say sales of super- luxury homes in London valued at £5 million or more have boomed.

Here’s why prime London has experienced record-breaking growth in the first 6 months of this year.

Why Prime London Continues to Defy The Odds

Data from Savills has found luxury property sales for Q1 and Q2 of 2022 reached a record-breaking £3 billion.¹ The impressive figure outperforms sales recorded for any other year. The homes in question refer to super-prime London properties valued at £5 million or more.

Situated in superior central London locations, such as Mayfair and Knightsbridge, houses and flats in these historic west London postcodes are in high demand.

As an example of the capital’s fortunes, The Evening Standard cites sales recorded by property service LonRes for homes such as a 12-bedroom mansion on Belgrave Square close to Harrods which sold for £90 million, and a property on The Boltons in Chelsea which was snapped up for a cool £42 million.

Q1 and Q2 Surpass Tame Predictions

For Q1 alone, sales for central London properties valued at £10 million or more grew by 41% in comparison to the previous year’s total for both Q1 and Q2 sales combined.³ The figure represents the purchase of 89 super-prime London homes valued at £5 million+.

By the end of Q2, record sales pertained to an enormous 294 super luxury homes in central London. To put the numbers into perspective, compare the total sales for the first six months of 2022 with 2019’s total of 309 central London residences for 12 months and it’s easy to see how well London’s luxury property market is performing.

Bearing in mind the Ukraine war began in February 2022 accompanied by rising living costs, such a quick rate of growth for Q1 and Q2 is significant.

Soaring prices for food, energy and petrol twinned with the freezing of Russian assets and the deterrent of harsh Covid restrictions for travellers from the Asian continent on their return home were all predicted to negatively impact London’s property market for 2022.

Yet the data shows super luxury property in London is more resilient and attractive than the experts thought.

Proof that around the world, England’s famous capital is still considered a fail-safe investment. Legendary locations, such as St John’s Wood and Hampstead have the longevity necessary to reassure buyers worldwide, they’ll remain a secure safeguard despite changing economic conditions, such as spiralling inflation.

The Capital’s Returnees Heighten Demand

According to Savils, returning London residents who flocked to the countryside during the pandemic are expected to grow prime London’s rental values by 12% by the end of this year, rising to 18.3% by 2026.³

Since the beginning of Q1 a fast-growing number of returnees have flooded back to the capital, seeking once again, its unrivalled amenities and a base close to their place of work. From Knightsbridge to Hampstead, there is an enormous surge in people who want to live and work in the capital’s best postcodes.

Writing in The Telegraph, Karen Noye of wealth management firm Quilter suggests with ‘our lives ‘getting back on track and the fear of further restrictions over, people naturally want to be back in the capital, enjoying all it has to offer, including, crucially, more job prospects.’

Though employees were ordered back to the office at the beginning of the year, many had already found the novelty of country living had worn off. For others, planned rural moves were abandoned when the reality of what they would be giving up set in.

Talking to The Telegraph, Rhys Cash, 45 exemplifies the experiences of numerous returnees when he says: ‘we realized how spoilt we were …we are in walking distance of a million shops and restaurants, and my office is just around the corner’.

Instead of moving to the countryside as he originally planned, Rhys and his wife decided to buy a larger home in London when Rhys’ boss requested his return to the office. ⁴

Scenarios like Rhys’ have seen record numbers registering with luxury London estate agents pushing figures up 71% higher than those for 2019. ⁴

The Evening Standard reports the deluge of workers returning to London offices alone has seen house prices rise to their strongest position for the last 6 years, producing the fastest increase in sales since 2016. ⁵

Such a large number of interested parties means rentals in London’s finest postcodes will move quicker than ever.

Why Luxury London’s Boost Could Benefit You

Yet there is more good news to be had because though the market is hot, prices remain a profitable investment.

On the whole, house prices remain marginally lower than they were at their greatest height back in 2014. Despite the tumultuous range of economic changes the UK has experienced in the last seven years, London house prices remain just under 20% lower than they were at their peak.

Although the market is strong, there were somewhat less numbers of buyers from overseas for Q1 and Q2, particularly from the Asian continent. However figures show overseas buyers are beginning to return in increasing numbers. With Hong Kong, Singapore and the US’ currency performing well against the pound, this trend should continue.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Mark Harris of SPF Private Clients reiterated this point when he stated that a ‘general lack of supply continues to fuel price increases in London, coupled with the weak pound which is fuelling international investment. ⁴

Whilst properties are moving quickly, Q3 could still prove an opportune time to buy before overseas buyers are back in full. However, larger numbers of UK buyers mean transactions are completed quicker because they don’t involve the borrowing that’s usually part of overseas transactions.

Learn more about prime London locations in our useful local area guides <to local area guides> or browse sensational luxury London properties for rent or sale now. Browse

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Links:

https://www.savills.co.uk/research_articles/229130/330823-0

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/record-number-10-million-pound-homes-london-post-brexit-b1014357.html

https://www.savills.co.uk/insight-and-opinion/savills-news/331617/savills-upgrades-five-year-forecast-for-the-prime-london-rental-market—as-tenants-return-to-the-capital-in-droves

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/uk/realised-how-spoilt-london-boomerang-buyers-return-capital/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/uk/london-house-prices-strongest-six-years-workers-return-office/

The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/

The Evening Standard

https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty

luxury London estate agents

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Featured Luxury London Property: Trent Park

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One of the greatest characteristics of luxury London property is its history. New to the market, luxury apartments at Trent Park in north London are the perfect example. This exquisite property offers the opportunity to dwell in a place where centuries of British history are etched into the walls.

From its 14th century beginnings, grade II-listed Trent House has been witness to the most astounding collection of British royalty, aristocracy and events.

Elizabeth I spent much of her early life at Trent House whilst Henry IV hunted there. Elizabeth II attended parties at Trent Park House whilst Winston Churchill was amongst its long list of frequent and famous guests.

During World War Two, Trent Park was home to a landmark covert operation to extract information from leading German personnel held captive there.

Once considered one of the finest country houses of its day, luxury apartments at Trent Park start at 1.24 million rising to 2.4 million+.

Its 14 grand apartments sit within a 56-acre private estate, part of the Trent Park’s 413-acre grounds of celebrated parkland. Accompanying amenities include: tennis courts, a gym, swimming pool, nearby golf club, equestrian centre and more.

Here’s all you need to know about this historic London property.

Trent Park – A Capsule History of Britain

Set apart from the very beginning, grade II-listed Trent Park started out as royal hunting grounds, in use from the 14th century onwards. Part of Henry IV’s favourite place to hunt, known as Enfield Chase, Trent Park was a resplendent woodland and a much-loved destination for British monarchs, right up to Elizabeth II.

Passing through many notable hands over the centuries, since 2017 the house and grounds have been lovingly restored. Respectful renovations over many years have finally transformed the estate into luxury north London homes surrounded by resplendent parkland.

Beyond the newly renovated private site, is Trent Country Park. Together, the entire 413-acres make up the ancient royal hunting grounds.

Trent Park House, North London

Careful restoration means buyers can choose to amplify the property’s distinguished heritage with traditional decor if they wish. Alternatively, buyers can add a modern update with contemporary styling finished with the beautiful period features that made Trent Park House one of the England’s most magnificent Georgian-style country houses.

Spacious rooms are flooded with light from newly restored, original windows and high ceilings edged with intricate, centuries-old detailing and feature lighting.

Outside, Trent House’s authentic red-brick exterior remains, reconditioned to its former glory accompanied by stunning views across Trent Park. The immediate parkland around the apartments was landscaped by one of the 18th century’s leading landscape gardeners – Humphry Repton.

Repton was responsible for the grounds of over 70 famed English country houses, including Kensington Gardens and Tatton Park. From ornamental lakes to an obelisk, water garden, avenue of lime trees, the columned Wisteria Walk and the 1 million-bulb Daffodil Lawn, Humphry Repton’s designs remain a huge draw for the public today.

Trent Park, Cockfosters

Repton’s landscaping extends into Trent Country Park beyond. The top north London park encompasses famed attractions such as: Camlet Moat, ancient woodland, lakes, wildlife including deer, rabbits and pheasants, peaceful brooks, fields, farmland and more.

The serene setting in Cockfosters, High Barnet, creates a tranquil backdrop for each luxury home. 25 minutes from central London by tube, Trent Park offers a unique opportunity to live within the opulence of the past, once enjoyed by a swathe of English aristocracy.

The site’s shuttle bus to and from the station is sure to prove useful. Scattered across the estate are other houses and apartments each located in different places, such as the newly-converted Stable Blocks. The 14 luxury apartments are the estate’s premier spaces.

Trent House – A Legendary London Home

The final owner of Trent House, responsible for its last flourish of legendary entertaining in the 1920s and 30s was Sir Philip Sassoon – an MP said be the greatest host in the land.

Trent Park House first passed into the hands of England’s landed gentry in 1777 when King George III invited Sir Richard Jebb, his favourite doctor, to live there after he saved his younger brother’s life.

It was Jebb who named Trent House because Trent was the place where he had rescued the king’s brother. Jebb soon bought the house and when he died it passed on to various aristocrats, eventually reaching Philip Sassoon when his father died in 1912.

Sassoon extended the home and updated its Victorian elements, famously adding the monumental wings on each side which made the house particularly striking.

A raging socialite with high connections, Trent House was a destination for everyone from Charlie Chaplin to King Edward III and Wallis Simpson, TE Lawrence (depicted in Lawrence of Arabia), Winston Churchill, Rex Whistler, George Bernard Shaw and a young Elizabeth II.

When Sir Philip Sassoon died in 1939, Trent House was repurposed by the British Government for the war. Serving as a gamechanging partner to Bletchley Park, the British Intelligence ran a top secret, covert listening operation within the walls of Trent.

Known as Britain’s Secret Listeners, British Intelligence extracted powerful information about German operations by listening in on the conversations of the German generals, Luftwaffe pilots and leading servicemen imprisoned there. (It was a rather luxurious prison with various freedoms including whiskey and walks across the grounds).

After the war, the site had various uses by Middlesex University and the University of London. Meanwhile, the wider parkland was opened to the public in 1973 as Trent Country Park.

Such a remarkable history means it’s no surprise the heritage site is a conservation area which will include a museum operating as part of Britain’s foremost war achives. Trent House’s museum will function alongside the Imperial War Museum, Bletchley Park and the Churchill War Rooms.

Browse more historic, luxury properties in central London for rent or sale now. Browse

Or learn about top luxury London locations in our useful local area guides <to local area guides>. To talk to us about our properties call: 0207 272 2259 or send us a message.

Browse luxury properties in St John’s Wood >

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Links:

North London

To St John’s Wood or Hampstead properties or area guide

Camlet Moat

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1005551?section=official-list-entry

Kensington Gardens

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/house-prices/revealed-expensive-street-britain-property-prices-average-35m/

Trent Country Park

https://www.trentparkhouse.org.uk