Situated seven miles from Charing Cross, Kew is a beautiful district in the affluent borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is arguably most renowned for being home to Kew Gardens and numerous historical documents, including the Domesday Book.
In 2021 the average property price in Kew was £1,003,086. This was marginally higher than the overall average across the borough of Richmond upon Thames, which sat at £931,313. Property in Kew was significantly more expensive than in the borough's most affordable area, which was Hanworth, which recorded an overall average price of £405,895 during the same period. Conversely, the average property in Kew was more affordable than in the borough's most expensive area, which was Petersham, with its overall average price of £2,039,268.
Most of the properties sold in Kew throughout 2021 were flats, and they fetched £554,801 on average. The district's terraced properties fetched an average price of £1,103,483 and Kew's semi-detached homes sold for £1,687,687 on average. Sold prices in Kew appear to be rising slowly but steadily as they increased by approximately 1% from 2020, and by 9% from 2015 when the peak average was £917,143.
What is living in Kew like?
Kew is a prime example of the affluent suburban districts that South West London is renowned for. From its beautiful residential streets to its variety of amenities, including small independent businesses, leisure activities, supermarkets and more, it really isn't a surprise that many people view Kew as an aspirational place to live.
We simply can't talk about living in Kew without first mentioning Kew Gardens, which spans 330 acres and houses the world's most diverse mycological and botanical collections. There are numerous spectacular features here, including the Great Pagoda, the Waterlily House, and several museums and galleries. As well as being home to the spectacular Kew Gardens, the area benefits from numerous other open spaces and parks.
Kew Green is bordered by residential streets, restaurants, pubs and the local library, and is the home of Kew Cricket Club. Kew Pond, which sits on Kew Green's northeast corner is an important reed bed habitat for resident water birds. North Sheen Recreation Ground contains a running track, playgrounds, paddling pool, pavilion, football pitches and an extensive grassy area ideal for picnics, making it an ideal location for families. Kew Park Rangers football club have been based here since 1999. Kew residents can also visit Pensford Field, an important nature reserve and the home of Pensford Tennis Club. Westerley Ware is home to a playground, hard tennis courts and a grassy area, and St Luke's Open Space which offers a play area and quiet seating area.
Public transport in the area is also excellent. Kew Gardens station is served by Overground services to Richmond and Stratford, and by Underground services to Richmond and Upminster. Kew Bridge railway station is served by South Western Railway and offers connectivity to London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Chiswick, Weybridge, Putney and Brentford. Additionally, nearby North Sheen Railway is also served by South Western services to the likes of Hounslow, Wimbledon, Kingston and London Waterloo.
Several bus routes serve the Kew area, and its riverside location also means that river bus services are available from Kew Pier, which offer connections to Hampton Court and Richmond. Kew Bridge carries the South Circular Road and connects Kew to numerous areas in south London including Tulse Hill, Putney, Barnes, Clapham Junction, Dulwich and Wandsworth.
Living in Kew pros and cons
Pro: Kew has a rich history and an abundance of culture
Kew's royal connections date back to the Tudors and the Stewarts, with land in the area passing through the hands of the first Earl of Worcester, Thomas Cromwell, and the first Duke of Suffolk. Kew Farm has been occupied by numerous notable residents, including Henry Norris, who was a close friend of King Henry VIII and Robert Dudley, whom Queen Elizabeth I favoured.
Princess Augusta live at Kew's White House, where she founded the famous botanic gardens, and her husband, Frederick Prince of Wales, commissioned Kew Gardens' first large greenhouse.
Con: Kew is partially within the expanded ULEZ zone
While Kew is well outside the Congestion Charge zone, it is partially within the ULEZ zone which has been put in place to improve air quality across the capital. This means that drivers who want to continue using vehicles that don't meet emissions standards will need to pay a daily fee when driving within the ULEZ area.
This does have some advantages, however, as between mid-January 2022 and mid-February 2022 exposure to air pollution only exceeded World Health Organisation guidelines on four out of 30 days. Kew is also home to numerous electric vehicle charging points, which is certain to please electric vehicle owners.
Is Kew a safe place to live?
Between February 2020 and January 2022 there were 1,426 criminal incidents recorded in Kew. This was marginally higher than in the nearby area of East Sheen but lower than in the neighbouring districts of Syon, Brentford and North Richmond.
Vehicle offences were the most commonly reported, accounting for 342 incidents. Kew also saw 317 cases of theft, 305 violent crimes and 163 burglaries. Crime in the area peaked in July 2020, when there were 84 incidents recorded. During 2021 crime remained relatively stable, peaking in August with 74 reports and falling in December when there were just 45 cases reported.
In November 2021 Kew experienced 10 cases of theft from a vehicle, 6 cases of vandalism and 5 incidents that were categorised as miscellaneous theft. Overall, there were four crimes per 1,000 residents in Kew in November 2021. This was lower than the five crimes per 1,000 residents recorded in the borough of Richmond upon Thames, and significantly lower than the eight crimes per 1,000 residents seen across the wider London area.
Which celebrities live in Kew?
With such a long and rich history it isn't surprising that many notable people have chosen to live here at various points. Alongside Kew's extensive royal connections, numerous artists have been inspired by the area including pre-Raphaelite painter Arthur Hughes, renowned landscape artist Thomas Gainsborough, and botanical illustrator Walter Hood Fitch. The Royal Botanic Gardens' first official botanical artist Matilda Smith lived at Gloucester Road, and Camille Pissarro spent time living at 10 Kew Green in 1892 and painted 'Church at Kew', 'Kew Greens' and 'Kew Gardens Path to the Great Glasshouse' during this time.
Other notable historical residents of Kew include poet Stephen Duck, botanist Willian Aiton, politician and amateur astronomer Samuel Molyneux, playwright Harold Pinter, and actor Patrick Troughton. In more recent years writer Geoffrey Archer, journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy, presenter Gabby Logan, economist Paul Ormerod, astronaut Helen Sharman and television producer Sue Vertue have all chosen to live in Kew.
Things to consider when moving to Kew
As one of the most expensive districts in the borough of Richmond upon Thames, affordability is clearly an important consideration. You'll also want to factor in the cost of living in the area, as well as transportation costs and potential ULEZ charges.
As well as the range of facilities and amenities that are easily accessible within Kew that make this district particularly appealing for families, there are also numerous excellent schools nearby. Some of the most notable schools include Strand-on-the Green Infant and Nursery School, The Queen's Church of England Primary School and Grove Park Primary School, all of which have been awarded the much-coveted 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted.