Northcote Road
This area between Wandsworth Common and Clapham Common must have the densest population of under-5-year-olds in the world. Everything a child could need, and, indeed, everything a parent could need, is provided for along this strip of high street. If you find yourself living here without children you may feel you have landed on an alien planet but, if you have young children, it is hard to beat.… read more
(Summer 2005)

Stratford Road and beyond
There are lots of treasures in these streets south of Kensington High Street. Just a couple of blocks away from the bustle of the High Street is a residential oasis with its own community and local shopping. We looked and asked around and bring you the best that Stratford Road and the surrounding area has to offer … read more
(Spring 2005)

Belsize Park
About ten years ago Belsize Park seemed to realise that it had the perfect wide pavements to accommodate outdoor eating. From an inconsequential high street it has transformed into a much sought-after family district with more than a hint of a metropolitan, edgy vibe. With its Screen on the Hill art cinema and lack of clothes shops, it has a very different feel to its Hampstead and Camden Town neighbours … read more
(Christmas 2004)

Strand on the Green
Strand on the Green sits alongside the river, between Kew Bridge to the west and Chiswick Bridge to the east. John Zoffany, the eighteenth century painter, lived here, and the wisteria-clad houses and river setting are beautiful and inspirational. Taking a gentle stroll, you could be much further up the river, into the countryside, yet you have all the amenities of London on your doorstep ... read more
(Summer 2004)

Chelsea Green
It is like walking onto the set of Gilbert & Sullivan London: candy coloured Georgian cottages, a nicely kept green with a bench and a cherry tree – you almost expect the smiling shopkeepers beneath blue and white awnings to burst into song. Astonishingly though, this is not being done for the tourists – it is the real thing and this is its charm ... read more
(Spring 2004)

Barnes
Although Barnes feels quite grown up, it does in fact have a large community of young families. There is a definite villagey feel and offers a good selection of shops and facilities in a residential setting. The river, the pond and the green give the impression of being in the countryside, but it really isn’t far from central London. The shops (boutiques rather than chains) are along Castlenau, Church Road, Barnes High Street and White Hart Lane, while schools abound on Lonsdale Road ... read more
(Christmas 2003)

Turnham Green
Turnham Green is not the big bit of grass opposite Turnham Green tube station. This is all very confusing, but that is Acton Green Common (not very near Acton). Turnham Green is further along the High Road with Christ Church standing in the middle of it. It is a lovely big space with shops along one side and the Town Hall and beautiful Heathfield Terrace along the other side. ... read more
(Autumn 2003)

Kensington Church Street and beyond
We picked an area for this profile, and then couldn’t work out what to call it. East of Campden Hill Road, as far as Kensington Gardens, north to Notting Hill Gate and south to Kensington High Street. Hillgate Village? Phillimore Estate? Kensington Village? But not even the estate agents could come up with a name. Someone should, because it’s lovely. We found an array of delis, restaurants, coffee houses and unusual shops – even a Farmers’ Market ... read more
(Summer 2003)

Brook Green
Three hundred years ago you might have passed Nell Gwynn and Kitty Fisher on Brook Green. Now it is more likely to be an harassed mother with a three-wheeler buggy. Something of a shake-up is happening in this ‘village’ between Shepherd’s Bush and Hammersmith. Towering house prices in W11, excellent schools (from nursery up to 18) and a convenient transport network for a quick getaway ... read more
(Summer 2001)

Shepherds Bush
It’s the new Notting Hill, the groovy place to live, with house prices rising faster than would be Bushites can put their offers in; it’s an overpriced jumble of boarded up mini cab firms, gaudy textile shops and greasy takeaways. So what’s the story? read more
(Christmas 2001)

Brackenbury Village
Estate agents are always keen to rebrand an area a "village" - it makes it sound as though it has a heart - a sure selling point, even if it doesn't live up to its reputation. Although Brackenbury Village is entirely the creation of estate agents, for once it is an appropriate label. First, there is a fairly precise area that most would recognise as Brackenbury Village. Bordered by Ravenscourt Park to the west, Hammersmith Grove to the east, the Goldhawk Road to the north and ... read more
(Spring 2002)

Stamford Brook
Stamford Brook covers the area just on the borders of Chiswick and Hammersmith. There are lovely residential streets, its very own underground on the District Line, a great selection of cafés and restaurants, useful and unusual shops, the open space of Ravenscourt Park on the doorstep and the convenience of being able to shop in Hammersmith or Chiswick ... read more
(Summer 2002)

Queen's Park
It's not Soho House but rather the Salusbury where London's media deals are really signed and celebrated. Thirty-something ex-Notting Hillites - with young families in tow - are lured north by the size of the Victorian houses and gardens that run off Queen's Park itself and the surrounding roads. Only in the last year or so, however, have local businesses caught on to the spending power of the Queen's Park residents ... read more
(Christmas 2002)

Holland Park
Just a few hundred yards from Shepherd’s Bush Green and the constant traffic of the roundabout, Holland Park is an oasis of calm, sophisticated chic. There are gorgeous houses, great shops and good schools. Holland Park itself is on your doorstep for open spaces, manicured garden, peacocks, fabulous sandpit and state-of-the-art play area ... read more
(Spring 2003)