Hyde Park: London’s prime open space

Open spaces don’t come much more famous or prestigious than Hyde Park. One of the Royal Parks of London, it sits right in the centre of the capital and is surrounded by the West End’s many attractions and amenities. Anyone who lives within close proximity is afforded the luxury of combining high-end shopping with vast open spaces.

The surrounding areas of Hyde Park are varied, offering potential residents a diverse choice when it comes to living near the area. Join us to discover Hyde Park and its surrounding areas which are in high rental demand.

A history of Hyde Park

Hyde Park covers 350 acres and is steeped in history, going back as far as 1536. It was created by King Henry VII as a ground for hunting deer after he acquired the land from the monks of Westminster Abbey. Fortunately, today it’s nothing of the sort, instead offering the general public scenic strolls along the Serpentine, a lake spanning over 27 acres created by Queen Caroline in 1734; a spot of horse riding, where you can take classes catering to all levels of experience; and a concert venue that has featured some of the most famous artists to have ever performed. There are also vast areas of green space; ideal for a picnic on a lazy afternoon, weather permitting.

Living near Hyde Park

Originating from the 17th and 18th century, mews houses are a popular style of property around the Hyde Park area. They were primarily used as a row of stables with a carriage house built around a paved yard or court. Today they are seen as fashionable accommodation for London’s wealthier inhabitants.

There is a good selection of new residential developments for those looking for something slightly more modern. The recent redevelopment around Paddington Basin has seen the construction of Merchant Square which features over 200 luxury apartments, with the added bonus of a 24-hour concierge, private screening room and secure underground parking. A selection of studio, one, two, three and four bedroom properties are available, starting from £400 per week.

Parkview Residence is situated on Baker Street, moments from the West End and the open spaces of the park. Apartments here have been designed to a high standard with wood flooring, air conditioning and a porter service at the development. Rentals start from £750 per week. Fitzroy Place is a stylish residential development in Fitzrovia, W1, just a few steps from Oxford Street and Regent’s Street. Residents can enjoy a selection of suites, one, two, three, duplexes and penthouse apartments, while having the luxury of two of London’s most iconic shopping streets on your doorstep. Rentals start from £500 per week.

Bayswater and Queensway are part of the W2 postcode and feature many white stucco-fronted period buildings, giving the area lots of charm and character. Nearby St Stephens Gardens is popular with international students, thanks to its collection of studio apartments at reasonable prices. Rentals start from £250 per week.

If you want to experience one of London’s most exclusive areas, Mayfair is the place to be. It is the base for many billionaires, and in the past it has been home to famous musicians like Jimmy Hendrix. We think he would approve of this two bedroom duplex apartment on Green Street with its stylish interiors that are fit for rockstar living.

One of London’s trendiest property hotspots, Notting Hill is moments away from Portobello Road where the famous market takes place every Saturday. It is also the location of Portobello Square, a stylish residential development with one, two and three bedroom apartments available from £450 per week.

Connections made easy

A central location always provides excellent transport links – and Hyde Park is no exception, with plenty of local Zone 1 stations offering residents a straightforward commute around the capital. Nearby Paddington is perhaps the best connected area: Paddington Tube station is serviced by the Bakerloo, Circle, District and Hammersmith and City lines, while Paddington National Rail station provides a variety of services in and out of London, including the popular Heathrow Express.

Queensway and Lancaster Gate Tube stations are serviced by the Central Line, while Bayswater is on the Circle and District lines. There are two stations at Edgware Road, plus Underground stations at Notting Hill Gate, Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch. If you don’t fancy jumping on the tube for a quick journey, there are many well-connected bus routes around Hyde Park and surrounding areas.

Shop til’ you drop

We could probably write a whole piece on the amenities within a two-mile radius of Hyde Park, not to mention what there is to do at the park itself. Oxford Street, one of the most famous shopping streets in the world, is less than a five-minute walk from the Marble Arch entrance of the park. As well as every high-street shop you could imagine, it is the home of Selfridges, a high-end department store offering a 21^st century shopping experience unmatched by its rivals. Bond Street and Mayfair provide luxury retail establishments, while Tottenham Court Road has a reputation for being a techie’s dream. And then there are the many theatres, cinemas, restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs dotted around the West End, too. You could spend a whole year here and still have things left to do!

Notting Hill’s mix of boutique shops and stylish bars have been in high demand ever since a certain Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts starred in the hit film named after the area. Paddington’s recent regeneration provides plenty of local shops and restaurants to experience, while Bayswater and Queensway offer a varied mix of Brazilian, Chinese, American and Arabic restaurants, which sees people come from all over London to experience the taste of global cuisines.

They shall stand and they shall listen

Since the mid-1800s, Speakers’ Corner, located on the north-east edge of the park, has been a site for public debates and speeches. Influential people including Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and George Orwell have used it to demonstrate free speech. In 2003, 750,000 people gathered at Speakers’ Corner to voice their concerns against the war in Iraq.

If you’re looking for something a little less topical, try the Rose Garden: a spectacular garden located in the south- east corner of the park, which was opened in 1994 and was designed by Colvin and Moggridge Landscape Architects. The rose planting is mixed with herbaceous plants, creating rich seasonal flower beds and strong scents which are particularly impressive in the spring and summer.

These days Marble Arch is better known as an area for its popular shopping and eatery options, however, the white marble-faced arch is still a dominating focal point. Constructed in the 19th century, the arch sits at the top of Oxford Street, and has a design based on the Arch of Constantine in Rome and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in Paris.

It’s time to move

Hyde Park’s popularity is unprecedented; people from all over the world want to live here, whether it’s in the luxurious surroundings of Mayfair, the trendy area of Notting Hill, Bayswater with its impressive period properties, or Baker Street with its modern apartments and shopping on your doorstep. If you are interested in living around Hyde Park, contact our branch for more information. Be quick, though, as properties don’t stay on the market for long.