ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A PERFECT LONDON VILLAGE COME TOGETHER IN THIS WEST LONDON ENCLAVE, MAKING IT A HOTSPOT FOR BUYERS AND RENTERS WHO LOVE ITS CONNECTIVITY AND COMMUNITY
Homeowners in Brook Green tend to stay put. And why wouldn’t you? With fast services to the West End, green spaces, top-class schools and friendly shops and pubs, it ticks all the boxes. “Connectivity and community lie at the heart of Brook Green,” says Jacinta Breen, sales manager at Druce estate agents, “with six tube lines all within a 10-minute walk, it’s a dream for commuters and families alike.”
First Impressions
It’s not famous, and that’s the way its residents would probably like to keep it. “Brook Green remains a somewhat hidden gem. Picture the charm of Parsons Green with a more convenient commute. Tucked between Hammersmith and Kensington, it is its own village oasis, centred around the green and dotted with independently-owned shops and restaurants,” says Breen. It’s quieter than nearby Shepherd’s Bush and Hammersmith, according to Joe Blackett, director at Dexters Shepherds Bush. He describes “a property paradise – with a mix of chic Victorian homes and quirky warehouse conversion apartments”. There are some colourful cottages here, and even grand Georgian townhouses.
There’s a best-of-both-worlds feel here, whether your preference is Westfield Centre or quiet pub. “This neighbourhood delivers urban living with a village atmosphere, filled with green spaces and a rich culture,” says Mark Cullen, head of sales at Hamptons in Kensington.
“Entertainment is abundant, with venues like the Shepherds Bush Empire and Lyric Theatres. There are a variety of pubs and eateries too, such as Brackenbury Wine Rooms, and Pope’s Eye Steak House.” The upcoming development of Shepherd’s Bush Market will only add to the appeal, and an abundance of outstanding schools complete the picture.
A day out
9 AM
By The Green
Start the day (or new year) on a mindful note with a walk through The Green in Brook Green. As the centre of the community, when the warmer months arrive, visitors can make the most of the tennis courts and the award-winning artisan Bears Ice Cream Company, which is highly popular in the area.
11AM
Discover and wander
First opened in 1886, the Olympia on Hammersmith Road, has always been a destination for industry showcases, from fashion to interiors and art. Attracting visitors far and wide, it always sparks ideas and provides inspiration for those who visit. A future event to mark on the calendar is Top Drawer (14-16 January), where leading suppliers, including Fortnum & Mason, Harrods and Fenwick, show their latest collections, from food to wellbeing.
1PM
Dine out
No matter the cuisine, this corner of west London has an array of establishments that can satisfy any palette. In this area full of friendly pubs, if you want to try something new, The Melody restaurant is a chic fine dining spot serving modern European dishes. The Hammersmith Road establishment is the original site of St Paul’s School and served as a location for the film Melody.
3PM
Local discoveries
Every Saturday at St Mary’s Primary School on Masbro road, the Brook Green Farmers Market illustrates what makes the area a treasure and is an exciting excursion. The market is home to organic produce, independent homeware, lifestyle makers and more. Sign up to events and news of new traders via their website.
5PM
Spot of tea
Betty Blythe tea rooms on Blythe Road, is one of the area’s best secrets. With Art Deco décor and ambiance get into the 1920s spirit fully, via a dressing up box of vintage accessories.
Ask a local: Karen Storey, Interior Designer and Founder of Cussons And Storey Interiors
“I’ve owned a home in Brook Green for more than 20 years and have very happily raised three children here. Our local friends all think of it as the best kept secret in west London! The Green offers wonderful areas for families to come together. The Queen’s Head pub has a huge garden at the rear, which is fabulous in the summer months. On Blythe Road the Betty Blythe Tea Room offers a unique vintage tea experience. Next door is Pentolinas, a vibrant Italian restaurant, while Zia Lucia’s makes wood-fired pizzas, which the children love. And every Saturday, there’s the Brook Green Market.” cussonsandstoreyinteriors.co.uk
Food & Drink
The Bird in Hand
88 Masbro Road
Described as a local gem of the neighbourhood, The Bird in Hand is open daily aside from Mondays. With an extensive menu, find good, honest dishes across garden, land and sea, using the best produce. In garden, find dishes such as Tuscan bean soup, a hearty beef shin in land, and pan-fried seabass in sea. With pizza using Molino Dallagiovanna flour, The Bird in Hand will satisfy any pub craving.
Brook Green Hotel & Pub
170 Shepherds Bush Road
Sleep over, dine, or both at the Brook Green Hotel & Pub. With 17 warmly designed rooms with boutique comfort, if the plan is to stay, four-legged friends are welcome too. The former coaching inn provides a welcoming atmosphere, with the option to even WFP (work from the pub) if an escape is needed. Indulge in British seasonal fare, ranging from venison & pheasant sausage mash to bramley apple and blackberry sponge to end on a sweet note.
The Hawk’s Nest
Goldhawk Rd
Under a canopy of plants, see in the new year with the recently reopened The Hawk’s Nest, which has undergone a major renovation. The alfresco hotspot with a retractable glass roof is the perfect place to catch up with friends old and new. Share some delectable arancini, or go straight for a classic pizzas.
Faber
206 Hammersmith Rd
New to the west London dining scene, Faber’s seafood-focused menu will change daily, depending on the catch of the day, using suppliers across the UK’s coastlines, from Cornwall to Shetland. Recent dishes have included breaded gurnard with apple ketchup and chalkstream trout tartare with soya, keta caviar and nori.
The Queen’s Head
13 Brook Green
In the heart of The Green, you’ll find a warm welcome at The Queen’s Head. With one of the largest garden pubs in west London, tuck into classics with a twist, like pan-roasted lamb rump and warming apple and blackberry crumble, perfect for winter nights.
Schools in Brook Green
“Brook Green is a hub for quality education, with the prestigious St Paul’s Girls School, inset, ranked second in the 2022 Top Independent Schools List,” says Mark Cullen from Hamptons. The youngest children start life at one of the many excellent nurseries, including Miss Daisy Nursery Brook Green which has moved to 69-71 Brook Green, following its acquisition of Brook Green Kindergarten. My Montessori offers children aged 2-5 a Montessori-based education right on The Green.
For older, prep-aged children, Bute House Prep and Ecole Française de Londres Jacques Prevert are popular choices. For girls, the outstanding Goldolphin & Latymer on Iffley Road and St Paul’s School for Girls on Brook Green itself are peerless. For boys and girls, places at Latymer Upper School on King’s Street are highly sought after, with many moving up from the on-site prep school. Famous alumni include Hugh Grant and the late Alan Rickman.
Brook Green: On the Market
Ask an Agent: PAUL COSGROVE Partner, Finlay Brewer
“Brook Green has a real village feel, yet benefits from being minutes from central London. The area’s also home to numerous independent schools that are ranked among the best in the country, such as St. Paul’s Girls’ School and Godolphin & Latymer, which is a big draw for many looking to move to the area.
There’s also a collection of boutique shops and restaurants run by local residents which helps contribute to the close-knit community feel we enjoy here. We find those that set down roots in Brook Green tend to stay for the long-term, with many renting, buying, upsizing or downsizing within the area, rather than moving elsewhere.
We attribute this largely to the wonderful location, with access to excellent green spaces and the riverside being close by, as well as benefiting from fantastic transport links and a fabulous variety of homes available.” finlaybrewer.co.uk
AVONMORE ROAD
Meticulously updated, this five-bedroom late-Victorian terrace, benefits from two floors of living and entertaining space – including a double reception – as well as a generous westerly garden. Spread across more than 2,500 sq ft of space, it’s flooded with natural light.
Guide price £3.35m Agent: finlaybrewer.co.uk
BLYTHE ROAD
With original floorboards, plenty of natural light and a private garden, this three-bedroom property lies in heart of the Brook Green conservation area. £1.65m
Agent: druce.co.uk
MELROSE GARDENS
This two-bedroom, ground-floor apartment with outdoor entertaining space is on a popular tree-lined street near Brackenbury Village. £900,000
Agent: dexters.co.uk
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