What you need to know about South Kensington
Situated in a prime location between Campden Hill and Earl's Court, South Kensington forms part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in West London. As with many districts in London, the area doesn't have any precise boundaries however it is widely accepted that it encompasses the area around South Kensington tube station as well as adjacent streets and connected garden squares, including Thurloe Square which can be found opposite the world-renowned Victoria and Albert Museum.
In 2020, the average price of property in South Kensington was £2,522,302 which is marginally higher than the £2,218,116 average across the borough. Flats were the most commonly sold type of property in the area in 2020 and they sold for an average of £1,848,006. Terraced properties fetched £4,233,410 on average, with semi-detached properties reaching £10,437,500.
When compared to 2019, property prices in South Kensington fell by 7% in 2020 and were 4% lower than the £2,616,373 peak in 2018.
What is living in South Kensington like?
South Kensington has been a cosmopolitan area since World War I and it is famed for being home to a selection of the world's most exclusive real estate. Kensington Gore sits to the north of the area with Fulham Road to the south and Gloucester Road to the west. Today, it is sometimes affectionately referred to as 'South Ken' and is consistently one of London's most desirable areas.
As the area is home to a variety of notable attractions, it attracts a high volume of tourists every year. However, there are plenty of quieter pockets that can be found in South Kensington, many of which benefit from charming garden squares and a range of spectacular architecture. With everything from rich red brick mansion houses with high ceilings and generous floor plans to villa-style properties positioned on leafy streets, there is something to suit all tastes.
In addition to an array of supermarkets and well-known high street and high end brands, South Kensington is known for its independent retailers and food markets. The area around South Kensington tube station has a new pedestrian area and plenty of cafés, eateries and restaurants have moved in. So, whether you're looking to treat yourself to a first-class meal or catch up with friends over coffee, you will always have plenty of options.
South Kensington is also positioned close to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, offering residents opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities, landscaped gardens, and children's playgrounds.
Living in South Kensington pros and cons
Pro: Excellent transport connections
South Kensington Underground station is served by the Piccadilly, Circle and District lines offering direct links to Finsbury Park, Hammersmith, Paddington, Wimbledon, and Upminster. West Brompton Station is also located in South Kensington offering District line services on the Wimbledon branch as well as National Rail services operated by London Overground and Southern to Imperial Wharf.
The area is also served by several bus routes, including the C1, 414, and two night routes which run between 11pm and 6am. The area is also home to a bicycle rental scheme, offering another way to travel around the city.
Con: ULEZ
South Kensington is located within the ULEZ zone, which means that drivers must have vehicles that adhere to emissions standards to avoid being charged a daily fee.
Pro: A variety of attractions
South Kensington sits on several notable thoroughfares, including Old Brompton Road which is home to Christie's auction house, the Troubadour coffee house, and the Drayton Arms. The Exhibition Road can also be found in South Kensington, which is home to the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Imperial College London. The Royal Albert Hall is one of the stars of the show in South Kensington with its 19th century Grade I listed architecture and vast program of opera, ballet and sporting events.
Con: High volume of tourists
A natural consequence of being one of London's cultural hubs is that South Kensington sees high volumes of tourists visiting the area all year. This means that local cafés and eateries can be very busy, particularly during the summer months and at weekends.
Pro: Excellent schools
South Kensington's cosmopolitan vibe attracts people from all walks of life, including families with school-age children. As well as being home to some of the world's best universities, including the London School of Economics, South Kensington benefits from a selection of highly-regarded primary and secondary schools.
Many of South Kensington's schools have been awarded 'Outstanding' ratings from Ofsted, including Our Lady of Victories RC Primary School on Clareville Street, Saint Thomas More Language College on Cadogan Street, and the Oratory Roman Catholic Primary School on Bury Walk. South Kensington also benefits from numerous independent schools, including Queen's Gate School, Mander Portman Woodward School, and Falkner House.
Is South Kensington a safe place to live?
Between January 2020 and December 2021, there were 4,314 offences reported in the Brompton and Hans town area. Theft was the most commonly reported crime during this period, with 1,768 cases recorded. There were also high levels of vehicle offences and violent crimes, accounting for 898 and 616 cases respectively.
Crime in the area rose steadily throughout 2021, with January 2021 seeing 66 reported offences, May 2021 seeing 186 offences, and December 2021 recording 306 incidents. The areas around South Kensington tube station and Harrods are notable locations for crimes of miscellaneous theft and theft from a person, with Sloane Street and the area surrounding Egerton Gardens seeing high levels of theft from vehicles.
Although South Kensington does see relatively high levels of certain crimes, a percentage of these can be attributed to the area's high volume of tourists.
Which celebrities live in South Kensington?
A range of notable people have lived in South Kensington over the years, including artist Francis Bacon, comedian Benny Hill, and novelist William Makepeace Thackeray. Today, Earl Cadogan owns some 90 properties across South Kensington with the area also being home to myriad other high net worth individuals including Ben Goldsmith, Stella McCartney, Sir Richard Branson, and Charles Saatchi.
Nottinghamshire-born fashion designer Paul Smith owns a Kensington mansion worth upwards of £135 million, music industry mogul James Palumbo lives in a £120 million Kensington mansion, and former Take That member Robbie Williams is said to own a £3 million home in the area.
Things to consider when moving to South Kensington
South Kensington has an almost Parisian atmosphere, with its semi-pedestrianised centre and selection of colourful restaurants and cafés offering canopied al fresco dining. This refined vibe feels very different from many other areas of the Capital and certainly feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the very centre of the city. As such, many people are keen to call South Kensington home.
Many of the tall townhouses in the area have been converted into chic maisonettes and luxurious apartments with the finest finishings. There are also a range of mews streets tucked away in quiet areas, which benefit from charming cottages that have been painted in a rainbow of pastel hues. South Kensington also offers an impressive selection of villas and pristine white mansions, many of which overlook private garden squares or well-kept greens.
Properties overlooking garden squares often sell at a premium, particularly in the areas around Cornwall Gardens and Onslow Gardens. Additionally, there are several renowned French schools in the area, which means that property in the surrounding streets is always in high demand.