Tag: Toto Lambert

Discover a Village Way of Life in South-West London

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

With its vast green parks and commons, lively communities and historic charm, south-west London provides a village feel alongside plenty of luxury amenities – and its popularity is booming. Our Partners James Burridge and Toto Lambert explain more.

Wider houses, larger gardens, high-performing schools, off-street parking and fast connections into both central London and Heathrow make south-west London’s ‘villages’ highly desirable neighbourhoods.

“Considering the steep rise in stamp duty, those searching for a generational family home should be looking for a space that they can grow into, not out of – where they can stay for the next decade plus. Gardens being more important than ever.

“Value-wise, the south-west pocket is becoming a lot more interesting and offers breathing space from the fast pace of central London,” says our Partner and London specialist James Burridge.

Richmond

Richmond offers both stately riverside elegance and more tranquil countryside calm, thanks to Richmond Park – one of the largest urban parks in Europe. Its Georgian townhouses, smart period villas and grand detached homes attract families looking for space and community.

The celebrated view of the tree-lined Thames from Richmond Hill – the most desirable enclave of Richmond, popular with everyone from rock stars to playwrights – wouldn’t look out of place in the Chilterns. Yet its fast rail links and Elizabeth Line connections via Twickenham make it an easy commute into central London.

Pedestrianised streets such as Paved Court and the smaller lanes leading past Wisteria-clad Georgian houses to the Green offer a village feel. While the likes of Petersham Nurseries with its Michelin Green Star restaurant, Scott’s Richmond seafood restaurant on the riverside and nearby Ham Polo Club ensure an air of luxury.

“I worked with a lovely couple over the Summer who were moving to London from America. They didn’t know the prime South-West London villages well, but knew they wanted to immerse themselves in a strong sense of community. We looked at a few different areas, landing on Richmond. We secured them a beautiful home there with amazing green space all around them,” says James.

Barnes

Further east, tucked into a bend in the river, Barnes is another favourite with its duck pond, farmers’ market, handsome period streets and riverside walks. “It feels very akin to a Sussex village,” says James.

Venture into the heart of Barnes Common Nature Reserve or the London Wetland Centre and you feel far removed from the busy city, yet access to central London is quicker than many expect – just 25 minutes to Waterloo.

Lots of people own dogs here and there are many scenic walks to enjoy with them, together with thriving independent shops including a butcher, cheese shop, wine merchants and bookshop. Barnes is also very well served by high performing state and independent schools, such as the Harrodian, St Paul’s School and the international Swedish School and which serve as a huge draw to the area.

Wimbledon Village

Further south, Wimbledon Village next to the charmingly rural Common is home to low-ceilinged traditional pubs, horse riding stables, a nature reserve and a weekly farmers’ market – as well as some of the most desirable homes in south-west London.

The streets leading off the Common are among its most coveted, with everything within an easy distance – from muddy wooded trails and bridleways in one direction, to designer shops in the other.

Wimbledon offers fantastic schools, such as Kings’ College School Wimbledon, open green spaces and community all within striking distance of the City. There’s no shortage of luxury here either, with The Ivy Café, the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club, a Third Space health club and, of course, the world-renowned All England Lawn Tennis Club. 

Horse crossing the road in Wimbledon Village, South-West London

Fulham and Parsons Green

Across the Thames, Fulham and Parsons Green have seen a quiet transformation in recent years. Once considered a more affordable alternative to Chelsea, these areas now command significant premiums, especially around the Green itself and Peterborough Estate.

The housing stock here – a mix of Victorian terraces and large family houses – has become particularly attractive to young families moving out of more central areas. Doria Road and St Dionis Road, leading towards the leafy green, are very pretty and popular addresses.

“Fulham’s Alphabet Streets that form a grid running between Fulham Palace Road and the river offer beautiful Victorian houses with larger gardens and wide proportions. The green space of Bishops Park and the Thames Path is on your doorstep – ideal for walking, running and cycling,” says our Partner and London specialist Toto Lambert, who lives in Fulham. “And there are plenty of dog-friendly cafes and traditional pubs in the area. Tinto Coffee on Fulham Palace Road being a personal favourite.”

Dulwich Village

Strictly south-east London, Dulwich Village offers a slightly more off-the-radar option, but one that punches well above its weight with its Georgian architecture, strong community spirit, even local riding stables.

The renowned Dulwich Picture Gallery houses works by Gainsborough and Rembrandt and hosts a weekly farmers’ market in its grounds. There are top schools on its doorstep, including Dulwich College and James Allen’s Girls’ School – the oldest independent girls’ school in London – and it is also very well connected.

“Areas like Dulwich Village have increased in demand with clients of ours over the past decade. I recently acted for a young family moving out of East London looking for a family home with a good garden, so the search was very much house led. We looked at Barnes, Richmond and Wimbledon before settling in Dulwich. We bought a house within walking distance of Dulwich Village because they fell for its village-like charm,” says James.

James Burridge is our specialist Partner in Central and South-West London. Read more from James on the rise of south-west London’s prime market here.

Toto Lambert, The Buying Solution Partner, London

Toto Lambert is our specialist Partner in Central and South-West London.

For news, expert commentary and invaluable property insight, subscribe to The Insider, our quarterly newsletter, here.

Why Soho and Covent Garden Offer a Unique Proposition

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Vibrant, dynamic and at the cultural and creative heart of London, Soho and Covent Garden offer buyers a unique lifestyle. With significant investment in the area and real value to be found, our Partner in London, Toto Lambert, explains what makes them a compelling alternative to the Prime Central London stalwarts

For buyers drawn to a neighbourhood with energy, culture and personality, few areas of London rival the atmosphere of Soho and Covent Garden. From sweeping piazzas to cobbled courtyards, lively independent restaurants, some of the city’s finest shopping and, of course, the bright lights of the West End’s theatre district, it takes some beating.

Here you can find properties to be lived in – not merely hotel-style suites designed for occasional stays. You’ll find homes where you can entertain, host friends and family, and be within walking distance of the action. And for buyers searching for a pied-à-terre, it offers an exciting, distinctly different lifestyle from a primary home in the country.

The Elizabeth Line now links Tottenham Court Road directly with Paddington and into Berkshire, while Waterloo is a short and pleasant walk, making it easy to travel between central London and countryside homes in Surrey or Hampshire.

While the likes of Chelsea, Notting Hill and Kensington offer timeless appeal for family living, Soho and Covent Garden bring something altogether different: verve and variety. Ideal for couples, singles and – increasingly – empty nesters looking for a London base that feels invigorating, not isolating.

Many of my clients searching in this area fit this profile – still working, often with grown-up children and keen to enjoy the best of the city’s cultural life. One couple that I recently worked with chose to focus their search in this area because of their passion for the theatre. With 39 West End theatres concentrated within a walkable distance, not to mention galleries, museums and the Royal Opera House, this location is a dream for arts lovers. And London’s theatreland is thriving, with record ticket sales last year and fresh investment flooding in. Generous tax incentives here are said to be persuading producers to debut their shows in London rather than Broadway.

Industrial Lofts to Classical Terraces

There are two clear architectural identities in Soho and Covent Garden. In Covent Garden you’ll find elegant, boutique new developments such as Capco’s Floral Court Collection – 31 individually designed homes with balconies and private terraces in the historic Westminster Fire Office building, with incredible views towards the London Transport Museum. These one, two and three-bedroom apartments offer intimacy and charm that is rarely found in more expansive developments such as 190 Strand, on the south side of The Strand, with over 200 residences.

In Soho, you’ll find more industrial, loft-style living such as the prestigious Hat Factory Apartments on Hollen Street. This converted former factory building dating from the 1880s offers contemporary, open-plan, light-filled spaces, private terraces and plenty of history. Soho is also home to handsome Grade II-listed Georgian townhouses, like those on Betterton Street in the Seven Dials Conservation Area and on leafy Soho Square overlooking the central gardens.

Price-wise, there’s genuine breadth – from around £1,600 to £2,700 per square foot. Value is driven by factors such as the presence of concierge services, high specification finishes and private outdoor space, as well as architectural significance and building prestige.

A Sophisticated, Spirited Lifestyle

What truly distinguishes this part of London, though, is the lifestyle that it offers. The iconic home of the defining music and fashion movements of the 1960s and the centre of London’s LGBTQ+ community, Soho continues to pulse with creativity and diversity, edged with a certain flamboyance.

Historic Covent Garden offers a more classical atmosphere and sense of grandeur with its colonnaded Piazza – a market in some form since the mid 1600s – and the Royal Opera House with its beautiful glazed entrance pavilion. Colourful Neal’s Yard adds a splash of the bohemian, while pretty, cobbled Floral Street is renowned for shopping.

Nearly a third of London’s 30 best restaurants, according to The Telegraph this month, can be found in Soho and Covent Garden – including The Devonshire, The French House and Rovi in Soho, and Cora Pearl in Covent Garden.

The area is also seeing robust commercial confidence. Diageo is investing £73 million in a new brewery, restaurant and training academy near Neal Street. Meanwhile, international fashion brands like TALA and Autry have recently made their UK debuts in and around Soho’s famous Carnaby Street – a vote of confidence in its continued relevance and appeal.

Of course, this means that the area is bustling, but there are discreet oases of calm to be found, if you know where to look. Akasha wellbeing club at Hotel Café Royal on Regent Street was awarded England’s Best Hotel Spa at the 2023 World Spa Awards, and the AIRE Ancient Baths in Covent Garden is wonderfully atmospheric.

Why Work with a Buying Agent Here

As with many desirable London neighbourhoods, best in class properties in Soho and Covent Garden are often under the radar and rarely reach the open market. Our experience and networks grant us access and, with the advantage of local insight, we know which pockets offer peace and discretion and who your neighbours might be.

In this market, it pays to look through a ten-year lens and consider a home here as a long-term investment. Whether as a pied-à-terre or as a main residence, considerations like lift access, on-site security and a peaceful position are important to factor in when looking to future-proof your property purchase.

Right now, Soho and Covent Garden offer invigorating appeal, variety and long-term value. For the right buyer, this is an area brimming with opportunity.

Toto Lambert, The Buying Solution Partner, London

Toto Lambert is our Partner in London

For news, expert commentary and invaluable property insight, subscribe to The Insider, our quarterly newsletter, here.