Beautiful streets and squares

If you’re looking for free things to do in London, why not take a walk through some of the city’s loveliest streets and squares? In this section I highlight the prettiest streets in London.

Thurloe Square

Thurloe Street is an attractive garden square in leafy Kensington. The square is named after John Thurloe - an adviser to Oliver Cromwell, who once owned this land.

The V&A Museum is nearby, and the museum’s first ever Director lived at number 33 (look out for the Blue Plaque)

I love the so-called Thin House at number 5 - one of the narrowest homes in the city.

Location: West London (Kensington)

Nearest station: South Kensington tube

Fournier Street

Fournier Street is one of the most attractive streets in Spitalfields, an area where many French Protestants settled in the late 17th century, when they fled religious persecution in their home country. Fournier Street was one of the last to be developed, and dates back to the 1720s.

Many of the newly arrived refugees brought their silk weaving skills to the area, and set up workshops and showrooms in these town houses. To get an idea what life might have been like, you can visit the Dennis Severs house on nearby Folgate Street.

Location: East London (Spitalfields)

Nearest station: Liverpool Street rail

Lonsdale Square

Lonsdale Square is a garden square in Islington with unusual tall houses which date back to the 19th century. The surveyor who developed the square was influenced by a combination of Gothic Revivalist buildings like the Houses of Parliament, and Tudor buildings such as 16th century almshouses, resulting in a very eclectic style.

The square is also a great place for cherry-blossom spotting in spring.

Location: North London (Islington)

Nearest station: Angel tube

Ilchester Place

Ilchester Place in Holland Park dates back to the 1920s. These large grand houses are some of the most expensive in the city. In 2021, the street was named the sixth most expensive street in the UK, with an average house price of £16.3 million.

Don’t miss the wisteria on display here in spring. It’s also very close to the lovely Holland Park, which has the Japanese style Kyoto Garden.

Location: West London (Holland Park)

Nearest station: Holland Park tube

Kensington Church Walk

Kensington Church Walk is a lovely pedestrianised street not far from the busy Kensington High Road. Not to be confused with Kensington Church Street, Kensington Church Walk feels very village-like, with a few independent shops.

At the end of the street is St Mary’s Church and gardens - a peaceful spot to sit and perhaps enjoy a pastry or cake from one of the nearby bakeries.

Location: West London (Kensington)

Nearest station: High Street Kensington tube

Crooms Hill

Crooms Hill is a beautiful historic street in Greenwich, with many large Georgian houses.

Number 12 is home to the Fan Museum which has special exhibitions as well as a permanent display, and fan making workshops.

While the street is mainly residential, there are other notable buildings including Greenwich Theatre and the Ye Olde Rose and Crown pub.

Location: South London (Greenwich)

Nearest station: Cutty Sark DLR

Trinity Church Square

Trinity Church Square is a garden square which is home to the 19th century Trinity Church. If you come in spring, you’ll see daffodils and a cherry blossom tree.

The houses surrounding the square are similar to those found in Bloomsbury, a much grander part of the city. As a result, when you take a walk round the square you almost forget you’re in Southwark.

Location: South London (Borough)

Nearest station: Borough tube

Bedford Square

My personal favourite of all of London’s squares, being in Bloomsbury’s Bedford Square is like stepping back in time. In fact the square is often used as a filming location for period dramas. It’s also ideally situated, not far from the excellent British Museum.

There are many 18th century houses here. Look out for their classic Georgian features such as large multi-pane windows, fanlights above doorways, and ornate entranceways.

The square is named after the Dukes of Bedford, who used to own the land here.

Location: Central London (Bloomsbury)

Nearest station: Goodge Street tube

Cowley Street

Cowley Street is a hidden gem in Westminster. Located just minutes away from the busy area by Westminster Abbey, this quiet street is full of attractive brick buildings.

Other streets in the area worth checking out are Great College Street, Lord North Street, Smith Square, and Deans Yard which is a courtyard area used by students at the Westminster School.

Location: Central London (Westminster)

Nearest station: Westminster tube

Chalcott Square Gardens

Chalcott Square is a garden square in Primrose Hill, full of colourful houses. Laid out in the 19th century, the square was previously home to the poet Sylvia Plath who lived at number 3.

All the houses here are Grade II listed, and it’s one of London’s most sought-after places to live.

Location: North London (Primrose Hill)

Nearest station: Chalk Farm tube

Flask Walk

Flask Walk is one of Hampstead’s loveliest residential streets, named after the flasks that were once used to store the mineral water from Hampstead Wells.

Many of the buildings on this street are Grade II listed. Although the street is mostly residential, there are some nice shops and cafes at the section closest to Hamsptead Tube.

Location: North London (Hampstead)

Nearest station: Hampstead tube

Elizabeth Street

Elizabeth Street in Belgravia is a charming and very photogenic street with some great shops, cafes and pubs. From the cute and very pink Peggy Porschsen bakery to the pretty florist Moyes Stevens, it’s a lovely place to spend time.  

Elizabeth Street is also known for being one of the main streets in the area participating in the annual Belgravia in Bloom festival, where local shops put up floral decorations on that year’s theme. Last year’s theme was Floral Fun and Games, with displays including a giant deck of cards.

Location: Central London (Belgravia)

Nearest station: Victoria tube/rail

The Boltons

The Boltons is a grand oval shaped street in Kensington with a garden for residents in the middle. The huge 19th century houses on this street are worth millions – it’s one of the most expensive streets in the city.

It’s worth coming here during Halloween or Christmas to see some of the lavish decorations outside residents’ houses.  

Location: West London (Kensington)

Nearest station: Gloucester Road tube

Lancaster Road

Another colourful street, Lancaster Road has tall houses painted in a range of primary colours.

Location: West London (Notting Hill)

Nearest station: Ladbrooke Grove tube

Portobello Road

One of Notting Hill’s most colourful and vibrant streets, Portobello Road has a mix of residential properties and shops, and was the setting for the classic 1999 romantic comedy Notting Hill.

The street is most famous for its historic street market which has been running for 150 years and has everything from antique stalls to bric-a-brac, food, books and music.

Location: West London (Notting Hill)

Nearest station: Notting Hill Gate tube.

St Luke’s Mews

A cobbled mews street, St Luke’s is one of London’s prettiest streets. The houses were previously used as stables by the owners of the larger properties nearby on Westbourne Park Road and Lancaster Road.

This street is a popular photo spot, not just because of the colourful houses, but because the street was used for filming in the romantic comedy Love Actually: it’s the house where Keira Knightley’s character lives (you may remember that rather awkward scene in the film where her fiance’s best friend professes his love for her on the doorstep!).

Location: West London (Notting Hill)

Nearest station: Westbourne Park or Labrooke Grove tube

Bywater Street

One of the most colourful streets in Chelsea, Bywater Street is a tiny residential street full of houses painted in pastel colours.

There are some other colourful streets in the area too, such as Godfrey Street and Markham Street.

Location: West London

Nearest station: Sloane Square tube