Your D&G Guide to South Kensington

South Kensington Area Guide

About South Kensington Property
At Douglas & Gordon, we know it’s not only city slickers, Russian oligarchs and French families who define modern Kensington; this area of south-west London has long attracted all types of buyers. This is no surprise as Kensington property has something to offer everyone, including top local schools, museums, designer high street shopping and a thriving nightlife. The area also boasts 23 local parks, including Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, and is with easy distance of both central London and the countryside.

Prospective buyers should be aware that property for sale in South Kensington is not necessarily what it may seem. Many of the big stucco-fronted family houses in the W8 postcode have been converted into luxury apartments that fetch upwards of £800,000. Over half of London’s most expensive streets are in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, but despite its reputation as an expensive area to buy or rent property, you can pick up a studio flat for sale in South Kensington for £350,000.

Our South Kensington estate agency covers parts of SW5, SW7 and W8, and despite the lack of large family properties for sale in the area, we have no trouble meeting the needs of families looking for spacious accommodation. Many buyers are from Europe where there is a culture of living in apartments.

Caroline Anderson, Douglas & Gordon’s sales manager and head estate agent in Kensington, explains that local property buyers are from all demographics and include singles, couples, and families. “It’s a myth that you have to be a multi-millionaire to live here,” says Caroline.

The Kensington area has everything, from studio flats for £350,000 to three-bedroom flats in Courtfield Gardens for £2.95 million. The average price of these South Kensington properties falls between £800,000 and £1 million. A mews house for sale in South Kensington is a rare occurrence, and will be snapped up as soon as it comes on to the market.

In recent years, real estate prices skyrocketed, and there was also a lack of new Kensington property entering the market. However, the higher interest rates had less of an impact in Kensington than other parts of London, as residents tend to buy homes in the area as a long-term investment.

Property in the sophisticated and cosmopolitan South Kensington area has always been popular with foreign nationals, and this is still the case. “Lots of Russians buy houses and apartments, as well as French families with children at the Lycee” says Caroline. “The good schools in Kensington bring in lots of families.”

Property to Let in Kensington
Given the area’s largely international population, it’s hardly surprising that the South Kensington rental market is thriving and property to let is in demand. Lottie Lambert, Kensington lettings manager and one of our leading letting agents, says, “Lettings remain busy as more property becomes available to rent… because of the number of people who wish to market their properties under the both sales and lettings banner and then picking the best offer.”

The rental market is becoming increasingly competitive, and Lottie recommends that in order to successfully market a house for rent in South Kensington, landlords in the W8 area should present their Kensington properties in the best possible way. “Good properties let fast and at good prices, those in need of refurbishment will sit on the market," she says.

The range of property for rent in South Kensington includes a wide variety of large and small accommodation options. Average property rental prices range from £400 per week for a one bedroom flat for rent in South Kensington, up to £5000 per week for good sized houses. Why do people want to rent property in Kensington when there are cheaper areas to live in? Lottie says, "They like the fact that it’s quiet and residential, with good restaurants and quiet garden squares.” Most South Kensington tenants work in the city and appreciate the excellent transport links from Gloucester Road Tube station.

Ask a Douglas & Gordon letting agent in Kensington for expert advice on W8 property rentals, or contact our innovative South Kensington estate agent to find out more about making a South Kensington property your home.

Shopping & Food

South Kensington has an array of supermarkets, from Waitrose and Sainsbury’s close to the Gloucester Road, to smaller options like the Little Waitrose on the Old Brompton Road, and Tesco Direct and Partridges on the Gloucester Road. Every Saturday there is a wonderful food market on Bute Street, and the new pedestrian area around South Kensington tube station offers many speciality food shops including La Cave de Fromage, Hummingbird Bakery, Pain Quotidienne, SNOG frozen yoghurt and the Wine Sampler.

There are many wonderful coffee shops and delicatessens in the area, including two branches of La Bottega on the Old Brompton Road and Gloucester Road. Residents are spoilt for choice with all the pubs and restaurants in the area. Local restaurants include Noor Jahan for Indian food, Cambio de Tercio for Spanish tapas,  Bumpkin for modern English and Bistro K, Lauceston Place and L'Etranger for refined French cuisine. If you are looking for a local pub you can't go wrong with the Angelsea Arms or the Duke of Clarence. If cocktails are your preference you should head straight to Eclipse and Nam Long on the Old Brompton Road. For a bit of retail therapy, Brompton Cross is the place to go, and nearby you’ll find Chanel, Joseph, Whistles, Jigsaw, Nicole Fahri and Ralph Lauren to name a few.

Culture & Leisure Guide

The Royal Albert Hall boasts  spectacular shows and performances such as Cirque de Soleil. The Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park showcases excellent exhibitions and there are several major museums in South Kensington, including the Science Museum, Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum. For film-lovers, there is large Cineworld cinema on Fulham Road, on the corner of Drayton Gardens.

Services

You’ll find the American Dry Cleaners on Gloucester Road as well as many smaller independent ones. Banks on Gloucester Road include branches of HSBC, Natwest, Santander and Barclays – and on the Old Bromtpton Road you’ll find RBS, Barclays and Nat West. The Dajani pharmacy on the Old Brompton Road and the Bliss pharmacy on the Gloucester Road provide great local service. Gym fanatics can head to LA Fitness on Pelham Street or Fitness First on Harrington Road. The flower stall, Gilding the Lily, at South Kensington tube station, is an excellent place to pick up that last-minute gift!