St John's Wood: Thank-you for the music

When it comes to living in London, you can't do much worse than St John's Wood if you're into your music history. Home to Paul McCartney's house, as well as the famous Abbey Road Studios, the area has strong ties to the entertainment industry. While thousands of superstars have passed through the doors of the hallowed building, potential residents might also be surprised to learn that celebrities tend to snap up property in the area too.

Buildings

It's easy to see why. As the fifth most expensive postcode in London and the UK, the quality of the area is unparalleled. Much of the property is made up of 19th century 'villa' type housing, although there is a wide variety of buildings just waiting to be snapped up. Whether you're looking to buy into an apartment complex with shared leisure facilities, a bespoke luxury house or an un-modernised property with development prospects, you'll find what you want in St John's Wood.

Many of the particularly high buildings will offer stunning panoramic views of London, particularly those around Primrose Hill. Although many of the gardens originally built with the properties have long-since disappeared due to a combination of bomb damage and urban expansion, much of St John's Wood's unique character remains.

The high street

At the centre of St John's Wood you'll find the high street, a vibrant and bustling hive of activity that houses a number of fine cafes and restaurants. After taking a look at some of the houses, it's highly recommended to take a break in one of the many pubs or eateries lining the road. There's also a district shopping centre for those shopaholics with an urge to satisfy, while those with a thirst for vintage might want to check out the variety of trendy boutiques in the back streets, a high proportion of which are independent retailers.

The area will also satisfy sports enthusiasts, particularly those who like a bit of cricket as the area is home to the Lord's Cricket Ground and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). Those with a passion for the sport's history will no doubt be enthralled by the MCC library and museum, both of which attract plenty of visitors during warm summer days.

Travel

Is travel a priority for you? Not a problem - the proximity of the area to the centre of London makes for fantastic connections and great service from the city's army of buses and taxis. Canary Wharf workers will also be pleased to note an excellent service on the Jubilee line, while Overground frequenters find themselves very close to South Hampstead station.

For rail, West Hampstead offers Thameslink services to a variety of locations, although you won't have to go far to find a major London station as Paddington is relatively close.

To sum up, St John's Wood has plenty going for it. The area benefits from its proximity to Central London as well as its historic ties to the music industry and the gorgeous Primrose Hill and Regent's Park. Throw in the spectacular houses and you've got a fantastic place to live.

 

Published 18th April, 2013

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