Choosing where to settle with your family goes beyond finding the right house – it’s about finding the right community. From access to good schools to safe public parks, these six London locations are prime spots for families.
London’s Most Family Friendly Neighbourhoods: A Guide
London is a city that’s ripe with opportunity. Although family life in the capital is more expensive than in smaller cities, many families find the quality of life and education on offer is simply worth it. With areas ranging from the green, serene Hampstead to the vibrant and lively Battersea, London neighbourhoods are equipped with excellent schools, historic royal parks, and endless activities for the whole family. Taking into consideration housing, safety and overall quality of life, here are six prime locations to settle down in the capital.
Hampstead
Known for its iconic charm and leafy streets, Hampstead in North London is one of the most vibrant residential neighbourhoods in the capital. This historic area brings a welcoming slice of the countryside to the city, with wild swimming lakes, ancient woodlands, and flower-filled meadows. It’s a wonderful spot for families who enjoy long winter walks, summer picnics in the park, or the simple pleasure of popping into a locally-owned boutique café for a slice of homemade cake with the children.
Homes in Hampstead are diverse and brimming with character. There are many historic Edwardian and Victorian era houses fit for large families, as well as modern developments with more contemporary home design features such as floor-to-ceiling windows and landscaped gardens. This London neighbourhood is teeming with culture that will bring inspiration to the entire family, and don’t be surprised if you run into a few celebrities on your afternoon stroll. Helena Bonham Carter, Harry Styles, Stephen Fry and Ricky Gervais are just some of the neighbourhood’s residents, and past figures include Agatha Christie, Sigmund Freud and Elizabeth Taylor. Hampstead has also been home to more prime ministers than any other London area, so something must be in the air.
Crime rates are relatively low in Hampstead, and many of the schools in the area are rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Notting Hill
Notting Hill isn’t only the background for 90s cinematic romances – it’s a beautiful London neighbourhood that’s perfect for family living. This West London area is a multicultural melting pot of art and culture, best exemplified through iconic events like the annual Notting Hill carnival. On your doorstep in Notting HillBayswater will be the world-famous Portobello Road Market, which offers locally-grown produce, antiques and street food, alongside a string of local cafés, pubs and independent retailers.
Local venues in the area often cater to children as much as the adults. The Electric Cinema for instance has ‘Electric Scream’ screenings designed exclusively for parents and carers with babies under the age of one.
Houses in Notting Hill are known for their colourful pastel facades. The streets are lined with Victorian townhouses and plenty of historic mews houses that hide nestled away on cobbled streets, steeped in history. Although there aren’t many new builds in the area, the renovations of historic houses are simply captivating: think bright windows, high ceilings and large master bedrooms. A home in Notting Hill is one you will be proud to keep in the family for generations. There is also plenty of outdoor space in the area, as it’s surrounded by the lush Holland Park (which is home to the peaceful Japanese Kyoto Garden), and Kensington Gardens.
Notting Hill is home to a range of excellent schools, including well-regarded state schools and private preparatory schools that offer prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculums.
Bayswater
Few areas in Central London strike so well a balance between city and nature as Bayswater . This calm, cosmopolitan neighbourhood sits directly north of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, and it’s well within walking distance of the bustling Oxford Street. It’s a perfect living location for families who are just as comfortable elbowing their way through London’s jam-packed city streets as they are rambling through the sprawling green parks.
The stately streets of Bayswater are lined with historic Georgian terraces and Victorian houses, many of which have been converted into trendy apartments with lovely communal gardens. The neighbourhood is part of the City of Westminster, so residents enjoy lower crime rates than some other areas in the city. It’s no surprise that politicians such as Winston Churchill and Tony Blair took up residency in this area, alongside other notable figures such as Stella McCartney and Keira Knightley.
Bayswater is just a stone’s throw away from Notting Hill, so it shares the same excellent state schools and optional independent schools.
Kensington
When it comes to timeless, historic opulence, Kensington is unchallenged. This historic royal district is home to various members of the royal family (the heir to the British throne, to be exact), and it epitomises architectural and cultural magnificence. Families who live in Kensington enjoy having doorstep access to world-class institutions like the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the V&A, so there is no shortage of activities to keep the whole family happy. On the high street, you’ll find a plethora of unique boutique shops, restaurants and bars that you won’t find elsewhere in the city.
Homes in Kensington are varied and range from cosy 18th century mews houses (i.e. homes that were originally built to host stables and carriages with an upstairs living quarters, hence the unique design), to red-brick mansion blocks and white-washed terraces. Although house prices in Kensington are substantially higher than other boroughs, you’re ultimately buying much more than just a house – you’re buying the very best of refined British living.
Many of the state schools in Kensington are rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, and there are excellent results-driven private schools in the area such as Bassett House.
Battersea
South of the river, Battersea brings a sense of causal luxury to family living. This post-industrial Wandsworth district has undergone a substantial redevelopment effort over the past few years, and it blends cool modernity with its proud industrial heritage. A perfect neighbourhood for families of all backgrounds and sizes, Battersea is community-driven and more diverse than cushier neighbourhoods like Kensington, which have historically been restricted to the city’s wealthiest.
Complete with acres of green space, a boating lake and a zoo, Battersea Park is a spot where childhood memories are made and treasured. There are also plenty of elegant locally-owned restaurants, cafés and bars that have been loved by locals for decades, alongside an abundance of retail and entertainment areas.
When it comes to housing in Battersea, you are just as likely to find sleek, contemporary apartments overlooking the Thames, as you are to stumble upon historic Victorian terraces nestled in leafy streets. Some of the most exciting new property developments though are in and around the new Battersea Power Station – an iconic Grade-II listed structure that has recently been refurbished with more than 140 outlets to eat, drink and enjoy.
Schooling opportunities in Battersea are excellent and range from top-rated state schools to royal-endorsed private prep schools, such as Thomas’s Battersea – which Prince George attended. This vibrant neighbourhood is set to attract families for years to come, thanks to increasing investments in local amenities and infrastructure.
Richmond-upon-Thames
Richmond was once a retreat for medieval nobles and Tudor royalty, but today, it mostly attracts affluent families in search of a quiet, green community in which to settle down. Unlike the dense, busy districts of Battersea and Notting Hill, Richmond offers a slower pace of life and has the feel of a small country village, despite it being just thirty minutes from Central London. The verdant, 2,500 acre Richmond Park is home to red and fallow deer, and it has plenty of family-friendly activities such as horse riding and cycling. It is the largest royal park in London and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a European Special Area of Conservation, so you can be sure it’s safe and well maintained.
In Richmond, you’ll find picturesque Georgian and Victorian era houses that overlook the river, complete with grand fireplaces, ornate plasterwork and sash windows. There are also plenty of semi-detached homes, alongside new apartments that overlook the river – many of which come with practical shared amenities like gyms and communal gardens. There are excellent Ofsted-approved schools in the area, and parents will be comforted to know that Richmond is statistically the safest place to live in London.
Final Take
Whether you want to plant your roots in a beautiful Notting Hill mews house, or in one of the modern riverside apartments in Battersea, London is a city that will deliver time and time again. A major advantage of life in the capital is that the city is extremely well connected through public transport, ensuring easy access to all areas. And, properties in London tend to maintain their value over time, making it a wise investment for the future.
