Area spotlight – St John’s Wood

St John’s Wood is one of London’s most affluent, desirable and upmarket neighborhoods.

Stars like Lily Allen, fashion designer Sarah Burton and Richard Branson have all called St John’s Wood home at some point. It is also home to the fifth priciest postcode in the city, NW8, along with substantial rental rates. According to research, tenants in St John’s Wood paid more in rent than those renting anywhere else in London in 2014. When taking a look at the history of this stunning area, along with the modern amenities, shopping and entertainment available, it’s perhaps easy to see why.

The area once belonged to the Knights Hospitaller, the Order of the Knights of Saint John. Development on the area as we now know it dates back to the 1820s, and took place at the hands of the Eyre family after it was purchased in 1732. Roads were paved and mansions erected, and the region began to take shape. Today, it is home to numerous luxurious Victorian villas, 1920s mansions and converted apartment buildings, along with many shops and gardens.

Make the most of St John’s Wood

Situated north west of Regent’s Park, St John’s Wood is a hop, skip and jump from Primrose Hill. From here, visitors and residents alike can take in breathtaking views of London, and enjoy some exercise amongst the manicured gardens. There is also a children’s playground, ideal if you are planning a stay with youngsters.

Fans of the bat and ball can call on the “home of cricket” by visiting Lord’s Cricket Ground, and the MCC Museum, the world’s oldest sporting museum. Shoppers can indulge in some retail therapy with a stroll along the St John’s Wood High Street, and relax and unwind with a drink in the eponymous café. You can enjoy the best high street names, along with high-end and even some vintage shopping. There are plenty of bars, pubs and restaurants, including luxury dining spots, waiting to be discovered too, and there is also a farmers market on Saturdays during the summer, a great way to spend a morning in this vibrant and busy part of central London.

• When to go: The warm summer months are ideal for wandering down the historic streets of St John’s Wood, not to mention you can enjoy some of the cricket action during these months as well.
• What to do: Of course, no visit to St John’s Wood would be complete without visiting the old EMI studios, where The Beatles recorded their seminal album “Abbey Road.” You can re-enact the famous album cover by using the same zebra crossing, which has earned a grade II listed status on account of it’s “cultural and historical importance”.