This area is part of Chelsea and is bounded to the south by the River Thames. For many years now, Chelsea has been the centre of fashion and emerging trends in London, from 19th-century artists’ colony, to Twenties bohemia, to the Swinging Sixties, to the Seventies punk revolution. Today, the neighbourhood area is known for its abundant shops, restaurants, and 19th Century architecture, that is characterised by red–brick terraces and mansion blocks surrounding pretty garden squares. The area is well-located, elegant, polished, and has a sophisticated air to it.

One of the main roads in the neighbourhood, King’s Road, has a long and rich history. It’s purpose was exactly as the name suggests: it used to be the King’s Road. King Charles II had the road built in 1694, with the intention of linking St James’s Palace to Fulham. It is rumoured that the project was suggested and encouraged by his mistress, Nell Gwynn, as the road conveniently went right past her house. It remained a private road until 1830, for use exclusively by the monarch and their privileged companions. Only those with a special copper token with the King’s head on could use it!

Mark Twain, the great American novelist, lived in this locality for a year in the late 1800s. He was in London with his family during an extended trip around Europe. Another famous resident of the neighbourhood is Oscar Wilde. He lived in a house in the area from 1854 to 1900 and it was here that he wrote ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ and ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Today, Londoners can see blue plaques commemorating both of these famous past residents. The trial judge who indicted Oscar Wilde for homosexuality in 1895 also lived in the area and was also Wilde’s next door neighbour.

In the Rolling Stones song ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ there is a line that says: “So I went to the Chelsea Drugstore to get your prescription filled”. The drugstore referred to was located here on Royal Avenue!

Theft and handling is the highest reported crime in the local area. Another downside to it is that it is very expensive to live here. It can cost up to 14% more per week than the London’s average weekly rental price. If you can afford to live here though, this neighbourhood has excellent amenities, charming architecture, schools, and great transportation options to get around London!

In 2017, Marlborough Primary School was redeveloped and expanded to provide modern, high quality facilities and enlarged outdoor play areas. In addition to creating a larger school, the redesigned site also provided extensive community facilities intended for regular use. The school now also has a special needs unit. This area is well-developed already so high profile new developments aren’t a regular occurrence, but should continue to see refurbishments and improvements to existing buildings and structures.