Access to a restorative garden is surely every Londoner’s dream. Residents living in proximity to green space enjoy the best of both worlds – all the delights of the capital alongside the benefits of nature. The good news is, at the heart of London’s most sought after neighbourhoods, there are glorious garden squares offering those living nearby respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Looking back through history, it’s thought that London’s first garden square was established in the 1660s by the 4th Earl of Southampton as a piazza to his mansion. It was called Southampton Square now known as Bloomsbury Square. The idea caught on and, after the Great Plague followed by the Great Fire in 1666, the city’s elite began to favour spacious houses arranged around an area of greenery.
Rest and Relaxation
For those who prefer a private retreat, there are squares that are solely for the use of neighbouring homeowners. Some are of exceptional architectural merit: in Park Crescent in Marylebone the communal gardens are fringed by a semicircle of elegant, stucco fronted houses by John Nash that have Grade I status, and in Kensington Square, many properties are Grade II Listed.
Dexters Director, Matthew Huybrechts says, “Some of the finest addresses in the capital are exclusive garden squares. They have ornate fountains, water features, manicured lawns with seasonal flowers, even tennis courts, and they are fully maintained.”
Community first
Living on such a square encourages neighbourly interaction and a sense of community. Residents can socialise or relax and enjoy the peace of their surroundings and, best of all, their children can play and explore nature in a safe and secure place. This added level of security can be an attraction for high-profile individuals or those who value their privacy.
Matthew says, “In the middle of London, you get this incredible tranquil place behind secure wrought iron railings. Our clients want their children to interact with others and they can do that within the secure perimeter of the square.”
Matthew considers the private green spaces in South Kensington, such as Onslow Gardens and Thurloe Square, to be among the most attractive in the capital, and they are highly prized. “Because of the Lycée, we have many French clients,” he explains. “When they register, they say they need to be within a 15 minute walk of the Lycée and on a garden square. People have expensive artwork on their walls, but they also want a beautiful view.”
Plant power
Due to their desirability, houses and apartments with access to a private square don’t often come to the market and, when they do, prices to buy or rent are at a premium. Matthew says, “People rent for two or three years and often extend their tenancy. We don’t even need to put these properties on the internet because we already know our clients who are looking for a garden square.”
Whether you are looking for a private green space, a sense of community or an excellent investment in the capital, the key to unlocking many Londoner's dream of access to the city's patchwork landscape is to contact your local Dexters office.
