Discover London’s Prettiest Streets
London is a remarkable city that is best explored on foot. One of the delightful aspects of wandering through this vibrant city is the opportunity to discover residential neighborhoods with picturesque streets adorned with charming houses. London showcases an eclectic mix of architectural styles, from vibrant mews houses on cobblestone lanes to impressive townhouses gracing spacious crescents. Below is a selection of some of the most enchanting streets in London.
01. Fournier Street, Spitalfields
Address: Fournier Street, London E1, UK
Fournier Street is distinguished by its 18th-century merchant houses, originally built to house wealthy French Huguenots. Many of the houses date back to the 1720s, showcasing one of the finest collections of early Georgian townhouses in the UK. Noteworthy is the Hawksmoor-designed Christ Church Spitalfields, accompanied by the Ten Bells pub, famous for its connection to Jack the Ripper. It is also the residence of modern artists Gilbert & George since 1968.
How to Get There: Fournier Street is situated between Commercial Street and Brick Lane in Spitalfields. The nearest tube station is Liverpool Street, served by the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines.
02. Kynance Mews, South Kensington
Address: Kynance Mews, London, UK
Among South Kensington’s many beautiful streets, Kynance Mews stands out as one of the most picturesque. Accessible through an arch off Launceston Place, this narrow, cobbled lane showcases colorful wisteria-clad 19th-century houses that once served as coach houses for the grand townhouses on the nearby Cornwall Gardens.
How to Get There: Kynance Mews is located between Kensington High Street and Cromwell Road in South Kensington. The nearest tube station is Gloucester Road on the Piccadilly, Circle, and District lines.
03. Shad Thames, Bermondsey
Address: Shad Thames, London SE1, UK
Located just past Tower Bridge on the South Bank, Shad Thames is a historic riverside street flanked by converted warehouses. These Victorian structures once stored tea, coffee, and spices, integral to London’s shipping trade. Converted into luxury apartments in the 80s and 90s, the warehouses still exhibit original goods gantries that connect the brick buildings.
How to Get There: Shad Thames is situated east of Tower Bridge. The nearest tube station is Bermondsey on the Jubilee line.
04. Wilton Crescent, Belgravia
Address: Wilton Crescent, London SW1, UK
Wilton Crescent, nestled in the heart of Belgravia, features breathtaking white stucco townhouses dating back to 1825. The street has been home to several notable politicians and statesmen, including Louis Mountbatten and Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo, a former President of Colombia. This sweeping crescent is renowned for being one of the most expensive streets for property in London.
How to Get There: Wilton Crescent is located just off Wilton Place in the heart of Belgravia. The nearest tube station is Knightsbridge on the Piccadilly line.
05. Little Green Street, Kentish Town
Address: Little Green Street, London NW5, UK
This narrow cobbled street in Kentish Town is merely 8 feet wide and is lined with two-story brick houses constructed in the 1780s. As a Grade II listed location, it is protected by English Heritage and remains one of the few Georgian streets in London completely intact. This enchanting street has been featured in a poem by the English poet John Betjeman and even appeared in the music video for The Kinks’s 1966 song, Dead End Street.
How to Get There: Little Green Street is accessible off Highgate Road near Parliament Hill park in Kentish Town. The nearest tube station is Tufnell Park on the Northern line.
06. Hillgate Village, Notting Hill
Address: Hillgate Street, London, UK
Just south of Notting Hill Gate, Hillgate Village is characterized by its collection of pastel-colored two- and three-story townhouses built in the late 1800s. The area is part of the Kensington Conservation Area, enhancing its charm and appeal.
How to Get There: Hillgate Village is positioned between Notting Hill and Kensington. The nearest tube station is Notting Hill Gate on the Central and Circle and District lines.
07. Colville Place, Fitzrovia
Address: Colville Place, London W1T, UK
Colville Place is a delightful street lined with three-story 18th-century brick houses, surprisingly located in central London, just a short stroll from Oxford Street. These charming houses were established in the mid-1700s, and at the end of the street lies Crabtree Fields, a hidden garden amidst the urban landscape of Fitzrovia.
How to Get There: Colville Place is located just off Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia. The nearest tube station is Goodge Street on the Northern line.
08. Kelly Street, Kentish Town
Address: Kelly Street, London NW1, UK
Kelly Street in Kentish Town is renowned for its striking mid-19th-century houses, each adorned in soft pastel hues. Nestled within a conservation area, many of these homes are classified as Grade II listed buildings, protected by English Heritage, thus preserving their historical significance and character.
How to Get There: Kelly Street is located between Kentish Town and Camden. The nearest overground station is Kentish Town West (for trains between Richmond and Stratford), while the nearest tube station is Chalk Farm on the Northern line.
