As one of the most famous and iconic cities in the world, London seamlessly blends history, culture and innovation with several distinct boroughs and neighbourhoods offering their own unique charm and character.
The London lifestyle and property has long been highly sought-after with home buyers – both domestic and international – thanks to its unparalleled cultural scene and nightlife, world-renowned attractions, museums, theatres, and art galleries; as well as its diverse culinary, shopping and leisure experiences.
All this, paired with the city’s array of green spaces, economic significance and year-round festivals and public events means living in London is highly desirable.
Discover what the capital has to offer in this comprehensive London area guide.
Best City in Europe 2023
Beating the likes of Zurich, Barcelona and Paris, London was named the best city in Europe for 2023 according to several factors including employment levels and iconic attractions, according to Resonance Consultancy.
Europe’s Greenest City
London (including Greater London) consists of over 35,000 acres of public green spaces, which accounts for approximately 40% of the area. This includes 3,000 parks and green spaces – more than any other major European city.
London Living Wage
The capital offers, on average, a 24% higher median annual salary for full-time employees than anywhere else in the UK according to Statistca. This is, in part, due to a higher number of skilled job opportunities available in the city and an exceedingly high standard of education.
Excellent Transport
The London Underground and Overground consists of 11 different train lines, making travelling and commuting around London easy and convenient.
Living in London
Living in London means you are surrounded by an endless list of celebrated landmarks and things to do, which is why demand for property in the city is always high and you’ll find it frequently being voted one of the best cities in the world.
Marvel at the likes of Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and the famous Big Ben and explore some of the world’s best art galleries – National Gallery and Tate Modern to name a few – which are all easy to get to via car or train.
London is home to countless museums which are a testament to the capital’s rich heritage and cultural significance as well as showcasing relics from across the world. The city boasts two of the top five most visited museums in the world – Natural History Museum and the British Museum – both of which house an extensive historical collection spanning thousands of years. The Science Museum and Tate Modern are also regularly included in the best things to do in London.
The capital is also home to some of the most iconic and well-known entertainment venues in the world. Enjoy an endless rota of critically acclaimed musicals, plays and ballet performances run throughout the year at world class venues such as the Royal Opera House and the National Theatre. London’s West End also offers a great selection of musicals for all tastes.
Location and Transport Links: Getting Around Central London
Living in London means you’ve got access to an array of world class attractions, shopping and dining opportunities, as well as endless highly skilled jobs across the city. London’s excellent infrastructure and transport system are therefore crucial for getting around and are renowned across the world – from its iconic red buses and black cabs to its extensive London Underground network (affectionally known as ‘The Tube’) and overground trainlines that connect nearly every corner of the capital and beyond.
Additional main roads and six nearby international airports – including London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted – make London one of the most well connection cities in the world with easy access to the wider UK and beyond.
It’s these efficient transport links that make commuting and travelling within and outside the city convenient, particularly for working professionals.
Distances and journey times approximate and are sourced via Google Maps and the TrainLine.
By Car
London has a well-developed road network, including major arterial roads and motorways that link different areas of the city and provide straightforward access to neighbouring regions. The city is also served by several ring roads, such as the M25, which encircles Greater London and is one of the busiest motorways in the UK.
By Train
London has 11 different underground train lines which have served the capital for over 150 years. ‘The Tube’ carries approximately 1.35 billion people every year and is the most popular form of transport in the city due to its reliability, speed and connectivity. There are also plenty of overground trains coming in and out of London on a regular basis across four different lines, including the recently opened Elizabeth Line which facilitates quicker, more direct travel times between the capital and the wider Southeast region. Discover the entire overground and underground network here. FROM KINGS CROSS STATION:
| Oxford Circus (for Oxford Street) | 5 minutes |
| Liverpool Street | 9 minutes |
| Hyde Park | 11 minutes |
| Kensington | 19 minutes |
| Canary Wharf | 22minutes |
| Oxford Circus (for Oxford Street) | 5 minutes |
| Liverpool Street | 12 minutes |
| Hyde Park | 14 minutes |
| Kensington | 24 minutes |
| Canary Wharf | 24 minutes |
By Bike
London is incredibly cyclist-friendly, having invested heavily in its network of cycle routes and the public bike hire scheme affectionately known as “Boris Bikes” after then Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, introduced them in 2010. One notable cycling route is the Thames Path, which stretches along the iconic River Thames, providing scenic views of London's landmarks such as the Tower of London, the London Eye, and the Houses of Parliament. Another popular route is the Regent's Canal towpath, offering a peaceful and picturesque journey through the city's scenic parks and vibrant neighbourhoods. A comprehensive collection of cycle route maps here.
By Bus
Thanks to an extensive bus network, approximately 95% of Londoners live within 400 metres of a bus stop, making getting around London easy and affordable for all residents. There are approximately 700 bus routes across London and a full list of bus routes is available here.
Things to do in London
Living in London means you are surrounded by an endless list of celebrated landmarks and things to do, which is why demand for property in the city is always high and you’ll find it frequently being voted one of the best cities in the world.
Marvel at the likes of Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and the famous Big Ben and explore some of the world’s best art galleries – National Gallery and Tate Modern to name a few – which are all easy to get to via car or train.
London is home to countless museums which are a testament to the capital’s rich heritage and cultural significance as well as showcasing relics from across the world. The city boasts two of the top five most visited museums in the world – Natural History Museum and the British Museum – both of which house an extensive historical collection spanning thousands of years. The Science Museum and Tate Modern are also regularly included in the best things to do in London.
The capital is also home to some of the most iconic and well-known entertainment venues in the world. Enjoy an endless rota of critically acclaimed musicals, plays and ballet performances run throughout the year at world class venues such as the Royal Opera House and the National Theatre. London’s West End also offers a great selection of musicals for all tastes.
Things to do in London: Shopping & Dining
Along with the likes of Paris and Milan, London is a shopper’s paradise that is renowned as a premier destination for high-end shopping. If you’re living in London, you have a wealth of luxury brands, upmarket department stores, and exclusive shopping districts on your doorstep alongside well-known high-street brands.
Areas such as Oxford Street, Bond Street, Sloane Street and Westfields are home to the most exclusive fashion brands including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Dior, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co. to name just a few.
High-end department stores such as Selfridges and Harrods are also a go-to destination for those who enjoy the finer things in life.
Drinking & Dining
As one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, there is something to cater to everyone’s preferences when it comes to wining and dining – from independent eateries, street food markets and high street chains, to a whole host of award-winning, fine dining experiences.
London boasts the highest concentration of Michelin-starred establishments in the UK. In total, London has 57 one-star restaurants, 12 with two stars, and five with the maximum three Michelin stars. Additionally, living in London means you can treat yourself to culinary delights prepared by world-renowned chefs at establishments like The Ritz Restaurant, Sketch, or Gordon Ramsay’s flagship restaurant: Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.
The London lifestyle is often synonymous with its vibrant nightlife and diverse bar scene. This ranges from quirky speak-easies, such as those dotted around Shoreditch, to up-market bars like Sky Gardens located in London’s financial centre, which is accompanied by spectacular panoramic views of Central London’s beautiful skyline.
Green Space
London is known for its stunning architecture and renowned buildings, but many people underestimate the amount of public green spaces there are to enjoy. Hyde Park is the largest in Central London, whilst St. James’s Park and Kensington Gardens offers serenity, beautiful lakes and close proximity to London’s many landmarks.
The capital consists of over 3,000 public parks and green spaces that provide a welcomed escape from the bustling city street for those living in London. In fact, London beat several major European cities to be crowned “Europe’s Greenest City”.
Employment Opportunities
London is an extremely influential global hub for many sectors and industries, with over 55% of the world’s largest 500 companies’ European headquarters calling the capital home. Living in London provides working professionals with access to a diverse range of industries and sectors, high salaries and thriving economy with financial services being a significant driver of employment.
Known worldwide as a top financial centre, the capital is home to several major financial institutions including banks, investment firms, insurance companies, and accounting firms as well as the renowned London Stock Exchange. Additionally, there is an abundance of jobs in Professional Services, healthcare, creative industries and the technology sector to choose from. It is an extremely attractive city for professionals seeking career growth and networking opportunities.
Top Universities & Schools
London boasts one of the highest concentration of universities and higher education institutions in the world, drawing in thousands of domestic and international students every year. This includes Imperial College London and University College London which both rank among the top ten universities in the world, as well as highly specialised establishments such as The London School of Economics, all of which provide a longstanding tradition of academic excellence and state-of-the-art facilities.
The presence of top-tier schools and access to quality private education is also a major draw for families considering a move to London. There are approximately 474 private schools in the London area including St. Paul’s School, King’s College School, Westminster School and Godolphin and Latymer School which all boast a 90% A-A* grades at A Level or above in 2022.
Property for Sale in London
Historically, the London Property market is one of the most sought-after and resilient around the globe. With all of the above; its Global City Status, continuous investment and strong homebuyer and rental market contributing to long-term stability and value appreciation, London’s global appeal and cultural diversity ensures a varied pool of homebuyers.
London property price predictions look positive despite wider economic factors impacting the market in recent years.
Knight Frank predicts the London Property market to lead growth across the UK over the next five years, with Prime Central London leading growth with 8.1% fiver-year cumulative growth – substantially more than the predicted 2.5% for the UK overall. SevenCapital have recently secured a four-year £258 million development loan to fund the delivery of a 462-home prime residential-led scheme in Kensington, West London.
Comprising seven residential blocks, 100 West Cromwell Road will offer a mix of spacious studios, one, two and three- bedroom apartments, with some featuring an open or enclosed balcony, along with a select number of duplex apartments and three- and four- bedroom houses.
To find out more information and to register your interest, please fill out the below contact form.
