Kensington Properties

Local Market Insights

• Kensington Palace Gardens remains London's most expensive street - but even "ordinary" W8 addresses command £1,500-2,500 per sq ft.
• The Phillimore Estate (west of Kensington High Street) offers larger houses than South Kensington, often with private garden access.
• Mansion blocks on Kensington Court and Kensington Court Place have some of the most generous proportions in the area.
• The "golden triangle" between Kensington High Street, Holland Park, and Notting Hill Gate contains some of London's most desirable family houses.
• North Kensington (W10/W11 borders) offers more diversity and better value than core W8, but the postcode distinction matters for some buyers.

Notable Streets

What Buyers Should Know

• W8 has higher council tax than neighbouring W14 - a Band H property pays approximately £1,900 annually.
• French Lycée catchment drives demand in specific streets; proximity to Cromwell Road can depress prices by 5-10%.
• Garden square access varies by building - not all mansion flats have keys to communal gardens.
• The Ilchester and Phillimore Estates own much of the freehold; their stewardship maintains area quality.
• Mansion blocks built 1890-1910 often have better proportions than later conversions - ceiling heights of 3m+ are common.

History & Heritage

Kensington's royal connections date to 1689 when William III purchased Kensington Palace, transforming the area from rural village to fashionable suburb. The Great Exhibition of 1851 funded the "Albertopolis" museums complex. Kensington developed as London's wealthiest residential area in the Victorian era, with grand mansion blocks built for the upper middle classes. Holland Park was the grounds of Holland House, largely destroyed in the Blitz but retaining beautiful gardens and the Orangery (now a restaurant). The area has housed generations of politicians, writers, and artists.

Lifestyle & Culture

Buying Considerations

• Verify whether the property includes garden square key access - this significantly affects family appeal.
• French Lycée catchment changes periodically; confirm current boundaries before buying for school proximity.
• Mansion blocks require careful lease checks; some have restrictive covenants on alterations.
• North-facing gardens in Kensington's townhouses rarely get direct sun - consider aspect carefully.
• Properties backing onto Holland Park or Kensington Gardens command substantial premiums but offer irreplaceable amenity.