Ladbroke Grove

Ladbroke Grove, the central spine of North Kensington, stretches from Holland Park Avenue in the south to the Harrow Road in the North and from postcodes W11 to W10.  The building of the road was begun in the 1830s at its southern end but it took a further 40 years to reach the Harrow Road.  The W11 portion of Ladbroke Grove incorporates large parts of the Ladbroke Estate, which typically features large terraced family homes backing onto communal garden squares. London's largest garden square is situated here, Ladbroke Square Gardens.

The area was largely shaped by Thomas Allason in the late 18th century, working for the Ladbroke Estate. It was his design, inspired by Nash’s work at Regent’s Park which  focussed on a central circus with radiating streets and built around the garden squares.  These now make up the most desirable roads of the area such as Lansdowne Crescent, Landsdowne Road, Blenheim and Elgin Crescents. The site was built on the ill-fated Hippodrome Racecourse, closed in 1842.

From the south end of Ladbroke Grove, where The Mitre pub sits opposite a small parade of boutique shops (including Beaney Pearce), the road  is tree lined, residential and elegant.  This moves to a more urban and bustling landscape as the road travels northwards. The Elgin pub marks the start of this change from high end residential property to local business premises, which runs to the start of Cambridge Gardens before returning to what are now largely converted apartments.

Notable bars and restaurants in the area include E&O, Osteria Basilico, The Electric, Portobello House, Notting Hill Brasserie, First Floor Restaurant, Mr Christians and Tom’s Deli.

There are many eclectic shops along Portobello Road in addition to the market, including a covered antique market, All Saints, Graham & Green, Books for Cooks, The Spice Shop, One of a Kind and The Grain Shop to name but a few.

The Westway is an imposing landmark and runs over Ladbroke Grove carrying the A40 traffic into the West End.  Underneath is the covered portion of Portobello Market, at its busiest on Friday and Saturday.   Ladbroke Grove tube station also sits here servicing the Hammersmith and City Line.

To find out more about flats and houses for sale and to rent on Ladbroke Grove, or flats and houses for sale and to rent in Notting Hill and Holland Park, please call Beaney Pearce Notting Hill on 020 7221 9044.

With thanks to The London Encyclopaedia.