Property Investments in Chelsea, London SW3 & SW10

Chelsea is a district of London, loosely defined by the area around the King's Road, beginning at Sloane Square at one end, and the "World's End" public house at the other, the River Thames and the Victorian artists' district to the south, and some parts between the King's Road and the Fulham Road.

The eastern boundary is defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above Sloane Square Underground and Counter's Creek provided the original western boundary. The district is part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.Although the heady days of the Sixties are long gone the King's Road still retains its charm and character and is an excellent street for shopping. As a residential area Chelsea has a reputation for elegance and is therefore home to many a celebrity. The properties are smart and can command high rental figures.

Chelsea History

The King's Road was named for Charles II, recalling the king's private road from St James's Palace to Fulham, which was maintained until the reign of George IV. According to Encyclopædia Britannica "the better residential portion of Chelsea is the eastern, near Sloane Street and along the river; the western, extending north to Fulham Road, is mainly a poor quarter". And it is so today.

The memorials in the churchyard of St Luke near the river, known as the Old Church, illustrate much of the history of Chelsea. Chelsea was once famous for the manufacture of Chelsea buns (a Chelsea bun is made from a long strip of sweet dough tightly coiled, with currants trapped between the layers, and topped with sugar). Chelsea is still famous for its "Chelsea China" ware, though the works were sold in 1769, and moved to Derby. Examples of the original Chelsea ware fetch high values.

The best-known building is Chelsea Royal Hospital for invalid soldiers, set up by Charles II and opened in 1694. The beautifully proportioned building by Wren stands in extensive grounds. There was also until recently the Duke of York's Barracks off the King's Road, now a shopping mall.

Travel Links to Chelsea

Sloane Square (Circle & District lines), South Kensington (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines), Gloucester Road (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines)

Clapham Common Railway Station

Motorway Junction M4 Junction 1

Airport London City

Property Sales in Bloomsbury, London WC1

Bloomsbury is notable cheaper in rental terms although offers many of the positive features of living in Marylebone and Mayfair. There is a large student community who attend University College London, giving the area a younger and livelier feel. Much of the accommodation in the area consists of one, two and three bedroom apartments forming the reasonably priced mansion blocks. Bedford Square and Russell Square has rows of beautiful Georgian townhouses some of which have been converted into apartments others remain as four and five storey family homes.

Bloomsbury is very well defined. It is the area south of the Euston Road, east of the Tottenham Court Road, north of High Holborn and west of Judd Street and Hunter Street. The busiest areas (thanks to the universities) are probably Gower Street and Woburn Place.

Bloomsbury has long been associated with London intellectualism and is today home to a staggering variety of academic institutions. Home to the University of London, it also boasts University College, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the School of Oriental and African Studies.

In the early 20th century it was also home to the Bloomsbury Group. This loose collection of academics, writers, artists and critics came together in the belief that constant debate, mutual artistic congratulation and self-promotion were essential elements of cultural progress. With luminaries such as Virginia Woolf, EM Forster and John Maynard Keynes amongst their ranks they are now regarded as a major cultural force.

The British Museum is also situated here, and since the Great Court was redeveloped by Lord Foster it has become a draw for architectural fans as well as the thousands of families, school groups and museum fanatics who've flocked here for years.

With all this thinking going on it's no wonder that there are plenty of pubs and restaurants in the area to fuel the cognitive process. Bloomsbury isn't exactly gastro central, but does boast some very reasonable eateries.

The pubs are generally decent, busy and pretty good value, which suits the many students who seem to find time for a pint at almost any time of day.

In summertime Bloomsbury is one of the prettiest areas of London, and one that generally avoids getting too busy. If you have a Saturday to spare then I heartily recommend heading down sometime.

Travel Links to Bloomsbury

Tottenham Court Road (Piccadilly, Central and Northern Lines)

Charing Cross Railway Station

Motorway Junction M4 Junction 1

Airport London City

Investment Properties in Chiswick, London W4

One of the most upmarket and fashionable suburbs of London, Chiswick with its leafy environs makes it a popular area for families and individuals seeking some greenery. Transport is excellent with easy access to the M4, Heathrow Airport and tube stations close to the town centre. There is a wealth of places of historical interest, including Chiswick House. Chiswick High Road is known for its restaurants and pavement cafes giving the area a cosmopolitan feel.

Shopping facilities include high street retailers alongside quaint boutiques. Green open spaces are plentiful including Turnham Green and other centrally located parks.
Chiswick W4

Chiswick is a leafy, attractive, and expensive suburb about six miles west of central London. The area is roughly circular, two miles across, with posh Bedford Park to the north and a long lazy loop of the river Thames to the south.

Chiswick is mostly residential, villagey sort of place, awash with cafes, trees, artists, commuters, and estate agents, with architecture ranging from Palladian Chiswick House to elegant 1880's houses by Norman Shaw and swish twenty-first century offices by Richard Rogers.

Strand on the Green is a narrow picturesque walkway on the river, running east from Kew Bridge, with varied vintage houses and pubs along its length. It's very popular with weekend strollers and drinkers. A muscular steel Victorian railway bridge however, seriously interrupts the wonderful river views.The two most conspicuous things about the posh residential enclave of Bedford Park, apart from the wealth, is that there are so many trees it's hard to get a view of the houses, and it's often so quiet you can wander around in the middle of the streets.

This is regarded as the world's first garden suburb, developed in the 1880's and 90's with the aim of attracting the influential artistic set. Many of the best houses, designed by the brilliant Norman Shaw, have an elegantly rustic flavour.

Travel Links to Chiswick

Turnham Green (Piccadilly and District Lines)

Chiswick Railway Station

Motorway Junction M4 Junction 1

Airport Heathrow