A Resident’s Guide to Belgravia

Often paired with neighbouring Knightsbridge, the affluent area of Belgravia was developed in the early 19th Century and quickly became one of the most desirable areas of London.

Master builder Thomas Cubitt built much of Belgravia in the 1820s. He was also responsible for the East front of Buckingham Palace and Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Cubitt’s style and influence can be seen throughout Belgravia, manifested by the grand white Stucco-fronted properties.

If you are considering moving to Belgravia, you would be very lucky to find a two-bedroom apartment for less than £1.2m, if you find one you would have to move fast because properties in the area sell very quickly. In this article we will put Belgravia under a microscope and see what is in the area for residents to enjoy.

Perhaps the first thing that springs to mind when thinking about Belgravia is the location; it is a short walk to some of the most iconic landmarks in the city (such as Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and Harrods). The best rail and tube station for the area is Victoria and is also connected to the over ground London Victoria station, making it very accessible from just about anywhere in the country.

By moving to Belgravia, you will be amongst London’s elite – royalty, celebrities and other high profile individuals. Those high net worth individuals that do not live nearby visit often for a little retail therapy. Amongst the highly regarded shops is the Philip Treacy Fashion House – the world-renowned haute couture milliner who has designed many hats for the Royal Family. In fact, there were 36 Philip Treacy hats at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

Just a few doors down from Philip Treacy on Elizabeth Street is one of London’s most highly regarded wine stores, Jeroboams. This London institution has been in the heart of Belgravia for over thirty years and is known for its selection of fine wines and spirits. If you do not have the facilities to adequately store wine at home, you can take advantage of Jeroboams specialist wine storage service. Another Shop on Elizabeth Street that is worth a visit is Tomtom Cigars and Coffee, an award-winning cigar merchant that also has a growing reputation for selling fine coffee beans.

Not far from Elizabeth Street is the more recently developed, and pedestrianised, Motcomb Street. Here you will find more boutique fashion stores selling shoes, eveningwear, fragrances and jewellers that are all perfectly on-brand for the Belgravia setting. Much loved brands such as Christian Louboutin, Rococo Chocolates and The Fine Cheese Co. all have a presence on Motcomb Street.

It goes without saying that there is a wealth of restaurants worthy of this affluent, central London setting. One of the chosen favourites for those looking for genuine French cuisine is La Poule au Pot. A quaint and rustic Gallic restaurant that is, arguably, one of the most classically romantic eateries in the area. You only need a quick flick through social media galleries and reviews of visits to La Poule au Pot to realise that the decor and atmosphere are as genuine and sincere as you would find anywhere in Paris. The menu is also textbook classic French cuisine and, at the time of writing, includes Coq au Vin, Pâté de foie de volaille and Boeuf bourguignon.

Fine art and antique collectors will undoubtedly know the name Timothy Langston. A fine selection of primarily British art and furniture from the 17th through to the mid-20th century. Between their store on Ebury Street, Belgravia and their country showroom in Petworth, West Sussex they have many tempting pieces that will surely be a focal point for your Belgravia home. If you have something in mind that you would like to find but cannot quite track down they may be able to help you with their sourcing service.

If you are passionate about the arts and music then you will most likely be visiting Cadogan Hall regularly whilst living in Belgravia. The iconic concert hall is known for being the home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as hosting many concerts, comedy nights and travelling theatre productions throughout the year.

A survey by Santander revealed that almost half (46%) of parents stated that moving to be in the catchment area of a certain school was a reason for purchasing a new home. If you are planning on moving to Belgravia with children (or having children while living there) there is surely one school that will spring to mind and be at the top of your list. Eaton House Belgravia is one of the most highly regarded boys nursery, pre-prep and prep schools in the country. Amongst its impressive alumni are members of parliament, actors, authors and novelists.

Perhaps the most sought after girls’ school in the area is St Peter’s Eaton Square CE Primary School on Lower Belgrave Street. St Peter’s boasts a maximum class size of 25 and alongside the standard curriculum pupils can enjoy specialist subjects such as violin, Latin and Computing. Both OFSTED and SIAMS rated this wonderful school as ‘outstanding’ in their most recent inspections.

There are many good reasons to move to Belgravia and there is plenty to see and do in the area. If you are in the market for a home in the area you will find yourself amongst some of the most highly regarded restaurants, bars, cultural hotspots and boutique shops in the city. Not to mention the beautiful architecture of the elegant townhouses that consistently sell to high net worth individuals, all looking for their perfect London home.

If you are thinking of moving to Belgravia, contact us or click here to find out more about our expert moving and storage services in the area.