Living in North West London – NW Postcodes

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Are you thinking of buying a house in North West London? This leafy, affluent area is a highly sought-after region, with plenty to offer potential homeowners. A popular area with professionals and families, thanks to the large homes and an abundance of green spaces available, there are lots of things to love about the north west. We’ve put together a guide of everything you need to know if you’re considering making the region your home, from the area’s history to the standard of schools.
 

History of North West London

The many villages of North West London used to be distinct from the city, and as London expanded outwards from the centre, these villages have retained their rural community feel whilst becoming suburbs of London.
 

Culture in North West London

One of the most famous cultural references of the last century has its home in St John’s Wood. We’re talking about Abbey Road, of course! Located just a five-minute walk from St John’s Wood underground station is the recording studios and crosswalk made famous by the Beatles’ 1969 album Abbey Road. Otherwise, the area doesn’t feature on the sightseeing itineraries of tourists as heavily as some other London districts, but there are still plenty of interesting cultural attractions. The RAF Museum in Hendon is a must-visit for military buffs, whilst the London Zoo in Regent’s Park is one of the biggest zoos in Europe, and a favourite with families. St John’s Wood is also the home of cricket, as it’s the location of the Lord’s Cricket Ground, a must-visit for any die-hard fans.
 

Food and Drink in North West London

North West London is a haven for foodies, with a huge range of delicious dining options. There’s a great choice of cosy gastropubs in the various villages which are clustered around North West London, including Belsize Park, Golders Green and Hampstead. You’ll be able to enjoy a slice of village life in these locations, with independent bars, boutiques and bakeries taking precedence over chain restaurants. However, the NW postal districts are so close to central London that you’ll also be able to enjoy everything the city has to offer without travelling too far. Camden Market, in Camden Town, also offers a huge array of eating and drinking options, with everything from posh nosh to street food on offer.
 

Shopping in North West London

North West London isn’t well-known for its shopping, as it’s so close to the high-street shops and high-end boutiques of central London. However, there are some independent gems in the region. Reflecting the demographics of the area, there are plenty of cute baby shops in Belsize Park, perfect for the area’s population of young families. Dedicated home chefs will love Panzers in St John’s Wood, an emporium for unusual and hard-to-find ingredients, whilst cooks in the Kentish Town area will want to add Phoenicia Food Hall to their must-visit list, as it’s packed to the brim with delicious Mediterranean ingredients. There’s also Camden Market in Camden Town, one of London’s most famous shopping destinations. There, you’ll find an eclectic mixture of shops and stalls, selling clothing, jewellery and accessories, vinyl and more.
 

Schools in North West London

There are many highly-rated schools in North West London, making it a popular area for young families to move into. There are 35 primary schools in NW London, including several rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, such as Christ Church Primary School in Hampstead, Eleanor Palmer Primary School in Camden and Torriano Primary School, also in Camden. There are also 19 secondary schools in North West London. This includes the small Camden Centre for Learning Special School, which caters to pupils aged 11-16, and the Swiss Cottage School, another special school which is rated as ‘outstanding’.
 

Transport in North West London

You barely need public transport if you live in North West London, given that it’s located so close to central London. However, if you don’t fancy walking into town, or you want to go a little further afield, you couldn’t be better situated for public transport links. The district is served by the Piccadilly, Central, Metropolitan and Bakerloo lines on the Underground, as well as several Overground stations in the region, which offer trains to Southwest London, East London, Luton and more.
 
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