Property

Your Guide To Living In Maida Vale

This tranquil West London district flies quietly under the radar – often overlooked in favour of the louder and busier spots beloved by visitors to the capital. But don’t let that fool you; Maida Vale has much to offer. Here, we share everything you’ll need to know about the area – and the bits you won’t want to miss.

Where Is It?

Maida Vale is a district within the northern part of Paddington, in the London Borough of Westminster. West of St John’s Wood and to the north-east of Notting Hill, it’s an affluent residential neighbourhood wellconnected to the rest of the city.

A Brief History

The area as we know it began to take shape around the early 19th century when an 1816 Act of Parliament allowed the Bishop of London to begin developing the area - and in 1868, Maida Vale was officially given its name.

Maida Vale has since enjoyed an interesting social history, becoming a significant Jewish community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the birthplace of esteemed figures such as Alan Turing and Sir Alec Guinness - and former home to Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.

What Can I See And Do?

There’s a lot on offer here. Perhaps bestloved is Little Venice, an area within Maida Vale known for its beautiful waterways, charming Regency-era architecture and great waterside dining spots. Believed to have been named by either Lord Byron or Robert Browning, this scenic environment feels a world away from city life and provides the perfect place in which to unwind, relax and enjoy a weekend stroll.

Other nearby hotspots include Abbey Road Studios (where you’ll find the famous Beatles crossing), Lord’s Cricket Ground, and the peaceful Regent’s Park, home to ZSL London Zoo. On the Marylebone side of the park, attractions include the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Madame Tussauds.

Where Should I Eat?

Local favourites include The Waterway, a cosy waterside restaurant serving excellent Sunday lunches, The Summerhouse, a laidback eatery boasting signature seafood dishes, French establishment Les Petits Gourmets, and The Elgin for its mouthwatering brunch menu. For award-winning pizza, Quartieri is the place to go.

Are There Good Schools In The Area?

Yes – Maida Vale is close to an array of highly-rated schools such as Maida Vale School, Abercorn, Arnold House, Francis Holland Regent’s Park, The American School in London and the International Community School (ICS).

What Kind Of Properties Are Available?

The area benefits from particularly attractive architecture, with many of the residential buildings dating to the Victorian age. As a result, the majority of homes on offer are classic, white stucco-fronted townhouses, period conversions or stylish mansion apartments, many with the added benefit of communal garden access. Maida Vale’s most sought-after streets include Clarendon Gardens, Elgin Avenue, Blomfield Road and Maida Avenue.

Getting Around

Maida Vale enjoys great transport links. It’s connected to the Bakerloo Line – via Maida Vale and Warwick Avenue Tube stations – which can transport you to Paddington in

4 minutes, Oxford Circus in 11 minutes and Waterloo in around 20 minutes. Here, the city is truly at your fingertips.

Knight Frank’s Relocation Service

We understand that moving home is a stressful and time-consuming process at the best of times, without the added challenge of that move being to a new country. Our relocation team are on hand to help you with this new chapter, offering a bespoke service with no cost or obligations and full access to London’s property market, to ensure your experience is as smooth as possible.

Sacha Hawkins, Associate, Associate in our Relocation team, says: ‘’Inspired by my parents’ love of property, I started out my real estate career in Cambridge, first working as an estate agent. I jumped at the opportunity to move into the world of corporate relocation and now have over eight years’ experience working in the dynamic and global London market. A vital part of what I do is to listen to my clients’ individual needs, so that when they are matched to their perfect property, they have the best start to their new journey in London. For any of your property needs or advice, please get in touch. I’d love to help you’’.

Email: Sacha.hawkins@knightfrank.com Telephone: 0208 022 7468 Visit: www.knightfrank.co.uk