Swiss Cottage is a charming part of Hampstead, which forms part of the North London borough of Camden. It is positioned between South Hampstead, Hampstead, Gospel Oak, Belsize, and Chalk Farm, which means it sits close to an array of amenities and transport links.
In 2021, the average property price in Swiss Cottage was £1,333,436, which makes it one of the most expensive areas in the borough. It is more affordable than Primrose Hill, which has an average price of £1,902,317 but considerably more expensive than property in High Holborn, which recorded an average price of £557,500 during the same period.
The most commonly sold type of property in Swiss Cottage were flats, which reached an average price of £938,356. The average terraced property in Swiss Cottage sold for £2,459,773, with the average sold price for semi-detached properties sitting at £4,178,235. Overall, sold prices in Swiss Cottage were 3% higher than in 2020, however they were 5% lower than the property peak seen in 2019 when average prices fetched £1,409,147.
What is living in Swiss Cottage like?
Swiss Cottage is just 3.25 miles from Charing Cross and got its name from the Swiss chalet-style tavern that was constructed in 1804. It is nestled between multiple conservation areas including South Hampstead and Belsize, which gives the area an almost hamlet-like feel with a strong sense of community spirit. Abbey Road is home to a selection of independent retailers, and a number of small and medium sized supermarkets are within easy reach.
The area is extremely pedestrian friendly and also offers an array of public transport connections to most of London and beyond. As such, it is popular among commuters which is why many of the old Victorian properties have been converted into flats. Some of the area's most spacious and sympathetically converted flats are located in Belsize Lane, Eton Avenue, Fellows Road, and Crossfield Road, which are famous for their Arts and Crafts style architecture.
Swiss Cottage is also popular with young families as there are numerous excellent schools in the local area. Additionally, crime is relatively low and residents can enjoy an array of nearby locations including Primrose Hill, Hampstead Heath and Regent's Park, all of which offer family-friendly activities.
Living in Swiss Cottage pros and cons
Pro: Excellent transport links
The area benefits from two tube stations, Swiss Cottage and Finchley Road, both of which are located on the Jubilee line. A number of bus routes also run through Swiss Cottage, including the 46 to Paddington, the C11 to Brent Cross, and the 603 to Muswell Hill. Night services include the N13 to Victoria Station and the N113 to Oxford Street. To give you some idea of travel times, commuters can be in the City in under 30 minutes, in Westminster in 35 minutes and at Canary Wharf in under 45 minutes.
Con: Situated within the ULEZ zone
Swiss Cottage is within the recently expanded ULEZ zone, which has been implemented to improve air quality across the capital.
Despite these measures air quality in the area still isn't particularly great. Data for the 30 days to 20 January 2022 shows that air pollution exceeded World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on 12 days. This means that over the course of a year, residents are exposed to levels of air pollution that are more than three times the maximum recommended by WHO.
Pro: Accessible electric vehicle charging points
There is some positive news for electric vehicle owners however, as there are several charging points located across Swiss Cottage and more still in Hampstead and the surrounding areas.
Con: One-way traffic system
Despite being a good idea in theory, the one-way traffic system in Swiss Cottage often causes traffic jams and unnecessary noise.
Pro: Strong sense of culture
From local cinemas to Hampstead Theatre and Swiss Cottage Central Library, which is located in a beautiful Grade II listed building, there are an array of cultural activities for residents to enjoy. Residents also benefit from a wide selection of amenities including Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre which offers everything from a climbing wall and fitness classes to a modern gym and several swimming pools.
Is Swiss Cottage a safe place to live?
Between the beginning of January 2020 and the end of December 2021, 2,070 crimes were recorded in Swiss Cottage. More than 25% of those crimes were categorised as theft and the area also saw significant levels of violent crime, vehicle offences and burglary.
Data shows that month-to-month crime can vary significantly. In February 2020, for example, there were 100 crimes recorded however this fell sharply in March 2020 when just 65 incidents were reported. It was a similar picture between January and February 2021 when 65 cases were recorded, but crime increased significantly in March 2021 returning to similar levels seen at the beginning of the previous year.
There were 101 crimes reported in the area in November 2021, including 14 incidents of theft from a vehicle and 19 cases of harassment. Overall, however, Swiss Cottage recorded 7 crimes per 1,000 residents, which was lower than the rate across London (8 crimes per 1,000 residents) and the borough of Camden, which recorded 12 crimes per 1,000 residents.
It is worth noting that the area surrounding the Odeon cinema can be a hot spot for incidents of harassment, as can the very south of the Swiss Cottage area close to Regent's Canal.
Which celebrities live in Swiss Cottage?
14 Adamson Road has an English Heritage blue plaque commemorating the painters Robert Bevan and Stanislawa de Karlowska, who were known for their works depicting the beautiful cityscapes that can be admired from the area.
Other notable residents from years gone by include singer Clara Butt, who impressed audiences between the 1890s and 1920s, and actress and socialite Lillie Langtry, who lived in the Langtry Walk area and often spent time with Edward VII.
While Swiss Cottage isn't renowned for its contemporary celebrity spotting opportunities, these charming streets have seen an array of notable residents over the decades.
Things to consider when moving to Swiss Cottage
As one of the most affluent areas within North West London, property prices are high. There are also numerous other costs that potential new residents should consider, such as the cost of commuting and the cost of obtaining a parking permit, which could exceed £500 per year.
There are more than 35 schools and colleges located within a one mile radius of Swiss Cottage. It is, however, worth noting that a large percentage of these are independent schools, including Heathside Preparatory School, St Anthony's Preparatory School, and North Bridge Senior School. Most state schools in the area have been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted, including Hampstead Parochial Church of England Primary School and New End Primary School. Competition for places as Christ Church Primary School is high, as it has been rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.
Overall, this relatively compact part of North West London has a lot to offer for a variety of people. Young professionals are likely to find that the properties and amenities on offer are most suited to their needs, however young and growing families also find that they have everything they need within easy reach.