5 Area Recommendations in London
I get asked all the time for places to stay as a born and bred Londoner so I've popped down a list of my favourite areas with 3 home recommendations for each.
I get asked a lot for recommendations on places to stay when visiting London, and I’m a big fan of AirBnb’s over hotels. Don’t get me wrong I love a hotel breakfast, spa and all the trimmings, but prices do seem to be going up - plus - I love something about being able to buy basics in a local grocery store and cooking at “home” on occasion when travelling. Whenever I travel with work in particular, I’ll rent a home as it’s nice to finish a day’s work and crash out on a sofa rather than eat in a hotel bar alone. Here are my top recommendations.
1. Battersea - Hamish’s house
I lived in this area for 5 years in my twenties and loved it. South of the river (but only just - I used to walk over the Albert Bridge every day to get the tube to work), beautiful Victorian/Edwardian homes of all shapes and sizes, a real “local” feel and super safe. Since I lived there a ton of investment has gone into revitalising the power station, Apple’s HQ is just one of the corporate injections and there is a shiny new tube station. A ten minute bus ride to either Clapham Junction (London’s busiest train station) or Vauxhall (Victoria Line) - and a walk over the bridge to the famous Kings Road. Great for everything from the Chelsea Flower Show, rugby at Twickenham or tennis at Wimbledon.
I know exactly where Hamish’s home is - a great location and proof that you don’t need to stay in a hotel to get a good bathroom (he’s put in the striped tiles I want for my own place). I have friends who have stayed here when we had a wedding at Chelsea Town Hall (20 minute walk, 5 minute cab) and they unsurprisingly loved it. It’s also surrounded by excellent pubs - notably; The Fox and Hounds, The Lavender and The Prince Albert. Check it out here. Sleeps 4, so from £75 per head per night, or £150 per room.
other great Battersea finds: here / here
2. Marylebone - Harry’s house
Marylebone is probably my favourite London district. Ridiculously central (short walks to Oxford Circus, Bond St, Baker St tube stations - and areas likes Soho, Covent Garden, Regents Park and Hyde Park/Buckingham Palace) but with a real local feel. The high street is (in my humble opinion) the best in the city with a mix of big names (with brands such as Varley, Rixo and Sezane choosing it as their offline launch pad) and quaint local shops. Brilliant for food - from Daylesford’s flagship store to renown haunts like Relais du Venise or Chiltern Firehouse. It’s London’s version of West Village… If I ever went back, this is where I’d choose to live.
Marylebone is a mix of three Victorian building types, all equally desirable in today’s terms. First; mansion houses (where the wealthy lived), mews houses (located behind the houses, where the horses were kept and now converted into beautiful homes) and tenement flats (where workers lived). Harry’s home is a mews house; think character. It has one bedroom (sleeps 4, using the sofa) and is from £250 per night. An absolute steal for the location. Here.
other great Marylebone finds: here / here
3. Hampstead - Ella’s house
Longer term followers will know I spent many happy years in this area, both growing up and as a renter before moving out of town. For me Hampstead is simply the best. Known for its slightly more bohemian identity, NW residents are a bit different to the rest of town. They’ll say hello to you in the morning and they’ll help you with directions. They probably have a dog larger than the teacup sized ones you see in the centre of town. They’re named after their favourite author or another suitably high-brow canine naming process. To say the area is characterful is an understatement.
