Belsize Park is an immediately charming residential area close to Hampstead in the North-West London borough of Camden.
In 2021, the Belsize Park area reported an average property price of £1,241,320, which makes it one of the most exclusive areas within the borough of Camden as a whole. To put this in some context, the affluent area of Primrose Hill boasts Camden's highest overall property prices which sit at £1,825,452. Conversely, Belsize Park is considerably more expensive than the likes of High Holborn, Kentish Town, and Kilburn.
Most properties sold in Belsize Park in 2021 were flats, which reached an average price of £902,178. This is higher than the overall average price for a flat in the borough, with the average price across Camden sitting at £828,177. Terraced properties in Belsize Park sold for £2,264,804 on average, with semi-detached properties fetching an average price of £4,242,857.
These figures place property in Belsize Park on a par with the £1,232,989 average seen during the peak in 2017. Notably, property prices in the area have increased by as much as 10% since 2020.
What is living in Belsize Park like?
Known for is beautiful residential streets that are lined with Victorian villas, spectacular Georgian terraces, and charming mews properties, Belsize Park is nestled between Hampstead Village, Primrose Hill, and Camden Town, all of which benefit from an array of amenities that are within each reach for Belsize residents. Think Hampstead Heath, Camden Market, the Roundhouse, and Primrose Hill.
Importantly, what Belsize lacks in size, as the area really does only occupy a very small pocket of land in Camden, it more than makes up for in personality. Aptly the name Belsize is derived from the French 'bel assis' which means 'well situated' and the area itself has a lot to offer in terms of amenities, including plenty of cafés, pubs, and independent retail outlets. So, whether you want to meet up with friends over brunch or pop out to run a few errands, you'll never have to venture too far to get what you need. To give you some additional context for the area's excellent location, Kings Cross is just five tube stops away, and Bond Street is just three stops away via Chalk Farm.
As there are more than 50 schools located within a mile of the area, Belsize Park has been popular amongst young families for some time. This means that there is a strong community feel in the area, with plenty of opportunities for both children and their parents to make new friends. The area also benefits from a long-established bohemian vibe, which is incredibly laid back and welcoming.
Living in Belsize Park pros and cons
Pro: Served by a good selection of transport links
In addition to Belsize Park station, there are also several other nearby stations including Swiss Cottage on the Jubilee line, Chalk Farm on the Northern line, and Finchley Road Metropolitan line.
Con: Belsize Park is inside the ULEZ Zone
The entire Belsize Park area is situated within the ULEZ zone, which means that residents who own vehicles that don't adhere to the strict standards of emissions set out by the scheme will need to pay the £12.50 per day charge to drive those vehicles.
Pro: Served by excellent schools
As well as a large selection of independent schools, including the Village School on Parkhill Road and Sarum Hall School on Eton Avenue, Belsize Park is well-situated for an array of state primary and secondary schools.
Most of the schools in the area have been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted, however there is also a small selection that have secured the much-coveted 'Outstanding' rating. The area's 'Outstanding' primary schools include Gospel Oak Primary School on Mansfield Road, Primrose Hill School on Princess Road, and Kentish Town Church of England Primary School on Islip Street. In terms of secondary schools, only the Camden School for Girls has been awarded the top Ofsted rating, but it does cater for both secondary and 16-18 education.
Pro: Selection of nearby leisure activities
One of the most celebrated features in the area is the Everyman Cinema, which is renowned for playing host to a variety of exhibitions and events as well as putting on regular screenings of classic, arthouse and mainstream movies.
For those who enjoy exploring, the Belsize Walk can take you on a stroll from Primrose Hill right through to Parliament Hill, taking in some of the finest examples of architecture in the area.
Is Belsize Park a safe place to live?
There were 1,759 offences recorded in the Belsize area of the borough of Camden between January 2020 and December 2021. This figure included 467 incidents of theft, 379 violent crimes, and 292 vehicle offences. Crime in Belsize reached a peak in March 2021, when 99 offences were recorded in a four-week period. Figures were also high in November 2021, which saw 87 reported incidents, however this number fell to just 46 in December 2021.
In November 2021, there were 13 reported residential burglaries in the Belsize Park area and 11 instances of theft from a vehicle. Recently, there have been two notable hotspots for residential burglaries: the area around Fellows Road and Eton Avenue, and the area around Glenilla Road and Glenloch Road. There are a number of areas within the area where theft occurs from a vehicle, including the area around Belsize Park tube station, on England's Lane, and on Hawtrey Road.
When compared to both the borough of Camden and the wider London area, crimes per 1,000 residents are notably lower in Belsize Park.
Which celebrities live in Belsize Park?
Unsurprisingly for such a beautiful part of London, Belsize Park has attracted numerous notable residents over the years. Coldplay's lead guitarist Jonny Buckland and Oasis' Noel Gallagher are just two of the area's famous musical residents. Belsize Park has also been home to an array of literary figures, including novelist Stella Gibbons, writer Jerome K. Jerome, queen of crime Agatha Christie, and poet John Drinkwater.
Belsize's artistic connections don't end there, as the likes of painter Piet Mondrian, surrealist Paul Nash, and sculptor Henry Moore also spent time living in the area. In terms of today's recognisable names, co-stars of the 'The Holiday' Cameron Diaz and Jude Law have both resided in Belsize Park, as has fellow actors Tom Hiddleston, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Helena Bonham Carter.
Things to consider when moving to Belsize Park
Belsize Park is loosely divided into a selection of miniature village-like neighbourhoods, including Belsize Park Gardens, Belsize Village, and Primrose Gardens. Each has its own features that make it unique, but as Belsize is famously petite, the entire area shares an array of benefits including being situated close to the likes of Regent's Park and Hampstead Heath. If you're looking to immerse yourself in the area's coffee and brunch culture, the area around England's Lane is one you're going to frequent often. For delicious cuisine, Haverstock Hill is one to remember and if you're looking for a cosy pub to make your new local, you'll find yourself with plenty of choice.
As one of north-west London's most desirable areas, the property market in Belsize Park moves quickly. So, if you're serious about setting up home here and putting down roots, you will need to be fully invested to secure your dream property. This means spending time understanding what you want from your new home so you can pounce as soon as it hits the market.