Uncover the hidden gem that is Queen’s Park
Often overshadowed by its better-known neighbours, Hampstead and Belsize Park, Queen’s Park in north west London is one to watch.
“From beautiful parks to incredible coffee shops, Queen’s Park is a real up and coming neighbourhood with huge investment potential,” says Sarah Khalil, Head of Queen’s Park Sales at Knight Frank. “For me, it's a hidden gem.”
A mere four miles north west of central London, Queen’s Park is an attractive and well-connected neighbourhood. You can hop on a tube from Queen’s Park or Kensal Green and reach central London in under 20 minutes (Bakerloo line). An overground train from Queen’s Park will get you to Euston in 12 minutes. You also have direct rail links to Hampstead, Richmond and Islington. But with so much on your doorstep, you may not want to leave.
Queen’s Park has a really welcoming, vibrant feel. According to Khalil, “residents that live here are connoisseurs of good design and good eating.” It’s easy to become an integral part of this local community, and you’ll find residents are staunch supporters of its independent offerings. Grab an incredibly good, locally roasted coffee from the Aussie-style Milk Beach on Lonsdale Road. Pick up your fruit and veg from the Sunday farmers’ market. Or stop for a post-work drink in gastropub, Alice House.
Queen’s Park is seen as relaxed yet lively with a strong community spirit, appealing to families, young professionals and creatives alike. Sofia Lira Salas, Head of Queen’s Park Lettings points out, “Queen’s Park has earned its reputation as an aspirational area for young professionals and families. Those looking to rent in the North London area do tend to target here because they might get a slightly bigger place, nearer the park, than they would do in somewhere like Hampstead or Belsize Park. We see many people moving here from Notting Hill for more space too.”
“The area also attracts people from overseas. We see professionals who are moving to London and looking to rent somewhere for a couple of years for work. Queen’s Park is often in high demand because it’s family friendly with plenty of green space and high quality houses that represent good value for money for a location that’s so close to London’s centre,” she explains.
The roads around the park – like Chevening Road, Milman Road and Kingswood Avenue – are particularly in demand. There’s also a lot of interest in properties east of Salusbury Road (the main shopping street), including Hartland Road, Lynton Road, Honiton Road and Tennyson Road. There's never a shortage of people looking to buy or rent in this area. There’s a wealth of attractive Edwardian and Victorian properties in Queen’s Park, many of which retain their original period features and charm. There are also a few new developments with one and two bedroom apartments right in the heart of town.
Salusbury Road and Lonsdale Road are the two key hubs in the area, closely followed by Chamberlayne Road across the park in Kensal Rise. The perfect place for pottering, these roads are buzzing on weekends with friends meeting for coffee, shopping and enjoying a long lunch. You’ll see people grabbing a fresh juice after a hot yoga session at Fierce Grace or an intense workout at boutique boxing gym, StormLDN.
Favourite local independents include Provenance Village Butcher, Queen’s Park Books, and the stylish clothing store, Ediit. The Salusbury Winestore is the place to find that special bottle for your Saturday night. The beloved Lexi Cinema is an absolute must – a social enterprise cinema, run by volunteers, which speaks volumes about the people of Queen’s Park.
If you’re heading out-out, you don’t need to bother with tubes and night buses. Everything you need is right in Queen’s Park. Tuck into pizza and cocktails at Pizza Pilgrims. New kid on the block, Lula, serves up modern Mediterranean dishes. Then there’s Ida, a family-run Italian restaurant that’s been a neighbourhood favourite since 2007. Michiko Sushino is great for authentic sushi and contemporary Japanese. But when the sun’s out, there’s nothing better than basking in the glory that is Lonsdale Road and its pavement eateries.
The park itself is a serene place that plays an important role in the lives of local families. This beautiful 30-acre parkland and surrounding area is under conservation order, protecting it for future generations. It’s the central hub in which to picnic, play, work out and unwind. Each year, Queen’s Park Day is held here, a free, family-friendly event that is a melting pot of traditional and modern, a testament to the strong, local community ethos and village feel of the area.
You can see why so many people decide to stay once they discover Queen’s Park. As Khalil says, “We're seeing people here choosing to extend their homes, rather than move, adding long-term value to their property and for their future.”
Recent research by Knight Frank shows that average rents in Queen’s Park rose by 9.9% in the last 12 months and by 49% over the last five years. Demand also surges over the summer months as families look to move in before school starts in September.
This hidden gem certainly sparkles. It’s easy to see why those in the know are wedded to this unassuming and easy-going neighbourhood. The perfect blend of traditional charm and modern living, Queen’s Park represents both an appealing investment opportunity and a wonderful place to call home.
View properties for sale in Queen's Park or contact a local agent
