Best Areas To Live in Central London
Often applicants new to the area will ask us where we feel is the best place to live Central London. Here are our Top Five…
- Covent Garden
It isn’t just its incredibly central location that makes this an exclusive area to live in, but also the wealth of culture, the exquisite architecture, and the whole air of style and vibrancy.
Covent Garden has a special atmosphere all of its own. As you walk through the cobbled car-free streets, there is a feeling of calm even though everything around you is bursting with life. It’s a fantastic place to grab a coffee and watch the world go by, there is so much to see.
Covent Garden is intoxicating for the senses, with live music, street performances, an abundance of food, coffee shops, bakeries and the flower market. The neoclassical buildings play home to a true mix of independent traders, high street brands and designer stores – it’s no wonder that properties here are highly sought after. It’s home to the world famous Royal Opera House and Royal Ballet, as well as over 20 theatres, and is also in walking distance of many of the city’s main attractions. You can find a real retreat at the community-led Phoenix Gardens, which is the last of the Covent Garden community gardens and is a vital habitat for urban wildlife.
- Bloomsbury
Variety is the spice of life, and that’s the exciting thing about living in Bloomsbury – there is always something new to experience.
Fashionable Bloomsbury is timeless in many ways, with its rich cultural history and its impeccably maintained Georgian garden squares that are lovingly cared for by the Bedford Estate, providing its residents and visitors with green spaces to relax in. The area is one that is best explored on foot, as tucked away you will find hidden gems, those independent stores with unique personalities all of their own. If you are looking to live somewhere well connected, then Bloomsbury is one of the best, with several underground stations giving you easy access across and out of London and further afield.
Home to the British Museum, the world’s first nation public museum, through its 8 million objects it allows you to discover fascinating details of different cultures from around the world. Some of the collection highlights include chess pieces thought to have been made in Scandinavia around AD 1150–1200 and were found on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. Another artefact to note is the Lycurgus Cup, which changes colour when it is held up to a light; it is said to have been made in Rome in the AD 300s. No matter how many times you visit, you’ll always find that something new catches your eye.
More than just a bookshop, the London Review Bookshop is the ideal location to not only browse the more than 20,000 titles, but also attend one of their many events, or simply grab a coffee and a slice of cake with a friend. When you live in Bloomsbury there really is only one place to shop, and that’s The People’s Supermarket where you can buy fresh produce. It’s also a vibrant community hub that will enable you to get to know and be involved with the community, and help you settle into your new home quicker.
Situated on Lamb’s Conduit Street is Noble Rot Restaurant & Wine Bar where you can grab a glass from some of the world’s leading wine makers, as well as a fine ‘Franglaise’ à la carte menu. On the same street is the Grade II listed pub, The Lamb – Charles Dickens is believed to have frequented here. They have an extensive range of cask and craft beers and guest ales alongside a changing seasonal and traditional menu, including their famous Sunday roast.
Variety is the spice of life, and that’s the exciting thing about living in Bloomsbury – there is always something new to experience.
- Marylebone
For a taste of village life in the middle of the city, Marylebone is where you will find your home.
In the oasis of calm that Marylebone offers you, it’s hard to imagine you’re only minutes away from one of the busiest and most globally famous streets, Oxford Street. The leafy roads of Marylebone are filled with period properties, giving you a glimpse into its aristocratic past – the area has been fashionable since the 17th century. If you’re looking for an urban village with a strong community, then this may just be the location for you.
The elegant high street is just as you would want from an area such as this; well-known names are mixed with wonderful independents, including a butchers and Fishworks, a fantastic fishmongers. One store that brings many people into the area is the renowned Daunt Books. The weekly farmers market is filled with an array of produce, which is apt for an area known to be a foodie heaven. Never mind the cafes spilling onto the streets, the hardest decision you will have to make is where to eat, thanks to the wealth of delicious cuisines on offer, from Michelin starred to the highly regarded Lebanese restaurant Maroush, which serves a menu that reflects the country’s culture.
Marylebone is blessed to have two of London’s most beautiful parks on its doorstep. Whether you’re looking for a space to exercise, relax or spend time with family and friends, Hyde Park and Regent’s Park have so much to offer. Built in the 18th century, the two parks just off Marylebone Road, Paddington Street Gardens, are popular with families who make use of the children’s playground found in the larger of the gardens.
Rich in culture, you will be surprised by what is on offer within the area, whether you want to explore the Sherlock Holmes Museum, mix with celebrities at Chiltern Firehouse, or see them in a different light at Madame Tussauds. If you’re looking for a something completely different, you could spend an evening at The Cockpit Theatre, with a provocative programme designed to nurture debate.
If you’re looking for an urban village with a strong community, then this may just be the location for you.
- Soho
Colourful, vibrant, electric – Soho is an area bursting with nightlife and eateries yet has a strong community spirit that keeps drawing people to live here.
Its infamous history is hard to ignore, yet over the years it has grown to become a destination that is known for its innovation and creativity.
Your neighbours will more than likely be young professionals, those who work in the City, or in media, but everyone looks out for one another here.
Another draw is its central location – transport links can be found on virtually every corner, which benefits anyone who needs to commute around the city.
As the night draws in, the city comes alive; whether you’re looking for a craft ale or a high end cocktail, Soho offers you it all and more. The Grade II listed pub The French House is iconic in the area and great if you want to simply chat, with their no TV and no mobile phone policy – how refreshing! For something completely different, try Cahoots, a vintage 1940s themed bar on the underground – but make sure you book.
We highly recommend you try the Blue Turtle Trail at Carnaby – each of the pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants on the trail have committed to protect the ocean. When you make Soho your home, you will have plenty of time to work your way around the trail and sample what’s on offer. Located in an 18th century townhouse, our team recommend Mildreds for its vegetarian and vegan menu, or head to Bob Bob Ricard for a luxurious evening indulging in English and Russian classics. Ham Yard Hotel is certainly something different, revolving around a garden within a unique miniature village complete with its own bowling alley, its interior is to be admired.
Soho has a strong artistic presence, with around a fifth of creative industries being housed here, as well as a strong film presence. It’s home to the legendary Ronnie Scott’s, The 100 Club, and G-A-Y, and West End venues such as Queen’s Theatre, Prince Edward Theatre and London Palladium can be found here. For comedy, Soho Theatre has a fantastic and varied programme.
So, Which Area in Central London Is The Best?
The differences between each area is extreme, between one street to the next you will find the age, party status and general mood will change. However one thing we can guarantee, you will never be stuck for something to do. Central London offers a mix of culture, social and culinary delights that can keep you entertained for days, weeks months and most of the time years.
For more information on our fabulous London Villages, Call one of our property experts on 0207 734 4062.
Warm Regards
Kate Hill, Director
Greater London Properties