This central neighbourhood spans from Regent’s Park via Portland Place all the way down Regent Street. While there might not be many Londoners can afford to live in the area, due to its high prices and large crowds, there are plenty who find themselves passing through every once in a while. Easily accessible by tube from the Great Portland Street and Regents Park stations, the area is packed with wonderful eateries and interesting shops once you find yourself in the side streets away from the busy thoroughfares. Nearby Dishoom on Carnaby Street is a popular choice for Londoners and tourists alike, and when the queue is too long there - there’s also delicious New York-Israeli fusion food at Good Egg and Italian food at Pastaio. After one of these delicious meals, many go to the London Palladium just around the corner, which is home to highly reviewed performances. For those times when you find yourself in need of a break from all of the hustle and bustle, there’s Golden Square nearby, which is perfect for a sit down. After spending a day in the area, you’ll likely find yourself plotting your next visit back.

After the city was destroyed in the 1666 Great Fire of London the whole area was redeveloped under the designs of Christopher Wren and John Evelyn, however little progress was made and ad-hoc residential development returned the area to a confusion of unplanned streets. It wasn’t until 1811 when the land’s lease ran out and reverted to the Crown that a large-scale redevelopment began to take place in the hope of building a straight boulevard that could link Pall Mall and Haymarket, and reduce congestion around Charing Cross. After a number of issues with the land ownership John Nash designed an almost entirely commerce-based road that was slightly further west than planned and in a rather wobbly line, but which would deparate the wealthy in Mayfair from the poor in Soho. The street was rebuilt again between 1895 and 1927 as the buildings did not come up to more contemporary building standards and were too small to function as commercial properties in the way that a fashionable modern street might. The new buildings were to have one continuous facade and be faced in Portland Stone, and this design remains today. In the 1970s the area had fallen into decline and another period of modernisation and refurbishment took place, with many of the smaller shops being opened up into larger spaces for flagship stores, and the restoration of other buildings.

Famous Victorian actress, Dame Marie Tempest (1864-1942), once lived in the area. Not only was she considered “the Queen of her profession,” but she also helped to found The Actors’ Union Equity.

Unfortunately, with the swathes of tourists in the area, the neighbourhood crime rate is significantly higher than other parts of London. Even so, most of these are non-violent incidents. Most Londoners feel quite safe in the area even after dark.

This area, with its prime location and valuable land, is constantly gaining attention from housing developers. Galliard Homes just recently worked on a development called Portland Place. The development, which is fully sold out as of now, is made up of seven luxury homes with beautiful Edwardian features. All of the units have balconies and garden access.