{"id":10762,"date":"2017-05-04T11:15:11","date_gmt":"2017-05-04T10:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/?p=10762"},"modified":"2025-09-30T13:37:45","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T12:37:45","slug":"city-living-village-feel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/renting\/city-living-village-feel\/","title":{"rendered":"City living, village feel"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The whole concept of a London village might seem like an oxymoron to some, but London is essentially a city of villages, each with their own distinctive charm. Londoners who yearn to experience that laid-back rural lifestyle don\u2019t need to plan a move to the Cotswolds just yet, there are plenty of places in the Capital that enjoy a sense of community and a strong &#8216;village&#8217; vibe. where residents can experience the best of both worlds, their own little tranquil oasis in the midst of this bustling metropolis. What\u2019s more, they can be transported from the rural idyll to their swanky high rise city office within minutes! <!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Quintessential London \u2018villages\u2019 are self-contained communities that offer a more relaxed pace of life not usually associated with conventional London living. The village appeal transcends postcodes, ranging from the wonderfully leafy environs of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/renting\/leafy-living-in-kew-and-richmond\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kew<\/a> nestled on the banks of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/renting\/riverside-properties-to-rent-london\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thames<\/a> to quaint Camden Passage in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/london-area-guides\/islington\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Islington<\/a> with its colourful street stalls and thriving caf\u00e9 culture; from picturesque Little Venice where you can watch the colourful houseboats drift lazily by to the popular Broadway market enclave in Hackney. Unsurprisingly this lifestyle is highly sought after with prices to match. Here\u2019s our shortlist of our top London \u2018villages\u2019.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/london-area-guides\/hampstead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Hampstead<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-10765\" src=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Hampstead.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Hampstead.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Hampstead-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Hampstead-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Hampstead-900x602.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Hampstead-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Historic Hampstead is one of London\u2019s most sought after areas offering an authentic village experience that has attracted artists, literary figures and the rich and famous for centuries. Residents are well served by a delightful High Street with its cobbled alleyways, cafes and patisseries.\u00a0Indulge in delicious pancakes from the local crepe seller or enjoy delightful summer picnics on\u00a0 magnificent Hampstead Heath with its 800 acres of untamed parkland and impressive views over the London skyline. Residents have lived here for generations which contributes to the close-knit community vibe. More millionaires reside in Hampstead than in any other area in the UK and it has a healthy share of celebrity residents. As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/contact\/hampstead-letting-agents\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">residential lettings agents<\/a> based in Hampstead, we are privileged to be surrounded by some exquisite properties including this elegant five bedroom Victorian <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/hampstead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">townhouse<\/a> or this six bedroom <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/hampstead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">family home<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/london-area-guides\/ealing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ealing<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-10772\" src=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/DSC1954.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/DSC1954.jpg 6016w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/DSC1954-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/DSC1954-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/DSC1954-900x601.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/DSC1954-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Known as the Queen of the suburbs and for good reason, Ealing offers residents a welcoming family-friendly atmosphere, thriving High Street, picturesque garden squares and a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary architecture. It has emerged as a rental property hotspot for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/renting\/best-places-to-live-in-for-young-professionals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">professionals<\/a> and young families keen to take advantage of the village ambience and excellent transport links that facilitate a quick journey into central London.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/london-area-guides\/kew\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kew<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/london-area-guides\/kew\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-10767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Kew-Royal-Botanical-Gardens-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Kew-Royal-Botanical-Gardens-4.jpg 6016w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Kew-Royal-Botanical-Gardens-4-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Kew-Royal-Botanical-Gardens-4-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Kew-Royal-Botanical-Gardens-4-900x601.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Kew-Royal-Botanical-Gardens-4-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p>This sought after riverside neighbourhood enjoys a distinctive village feel and is the epitome of country living in London; ranging from new property developments on the North bank of the Thames including the sought-after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/new-developments\/kew-bridge-london\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kew Bridge<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/new-developments\/kew-bridge-west-london\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kew Bridge West<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/new-developments\/gwq-london\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GWQ<\/a>, to stately period homes arranged around leafy squares in the heart of Kew near the world famous Kew Gardens. If you find property in Richmond to be too expensive to rent, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/contact\/kew-letting-agents\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kew branch<\/a> has plenty of options including this stylish two bedroom <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/kew\/\">apartment<\/a>\u00a0at the riverside Kew Bridge development.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Central London<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-10777\" src=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/central-London.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"434\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p>Central London has its fair share of places offering a village feel. Affluent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/london-area-guides\/marylebone\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marylebone Village<\/a> with its cosmopolitan High Street and excellent schools features an impressive heritage and there is a prevalent air of exclusivity that still manages to retain its village character. Residents literally have everything they need on their doorstep including traditional pubs, independent boutiques, shops and cafes. Nearby Brompton Cross in Chelsea\u00a0is another hidden gem nestled between\u00a0Hyde Park and Brompton Road with plenty of high end boutiques, French brasseries and independent retailers. If you are interested in properties to rent in this prime central London location, consider this contemporary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/property-to-rent\/chelsea-sw3\/161\/\">two bedroom apartment<\/a> conveniently situated nearby the attractions of the West End.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/london-area-guides\/highgate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Highgate<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-10769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Highgate.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Highgate.jpg 4265w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Highgate-200x135.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Highgate-768x518.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Highgate-900x607.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p>Charming Highgate is certainly worthy of the \u2018Village\u2019 tag and residents benefit from a wealth of local businesses and everything you\u2019d expect to find in a traditional village including the mandatory hairdressers, fishmongers, butchers and dry cleaners, and famed gastro pubs that all contribute to the wealth of character and individuality of the area. This recently refurbished <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/property-to-rent\/acton-w3\/1240\/\">six bedroom home<\/a> provides ideal family sized accommodation close to Highgate Village.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/london-area-guides\/greenwich\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Greenwich<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-10770\" src=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Greenwich.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Greenwich.jpg 4608w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Greenwich-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Greenwich-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Greenwich-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Greenwich-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<p>With its rich maritime history, vibrant town centre and charming market square, it\u2019s easy to see why the Royal Borough Greenwich has made it to this list. Property developments in this regeneration hotspot including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/new-developments\/new-capital-quay-london\/\">New Capital Quay<\/a> in the heart of Greenwich and the popular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/canary-wharf\/\">Kidbrooke Village<\/a> that attract plenty of demand from professionals working in Canary Wharf.<\/p>\n<p>If you would like to discover the attractions of London\u2019s charming village communities, do contact\u00a0us\u00a0by email or give us a call on 020 7435 9681.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The whole concept of a London village might seem like an oxymoron to some, but London is essentially a city of villages, each with their own distinctive charm. Londoners who yearn to experience that laid-back rural lifestyle don\u2019t need to plan a move to the Cotswolds just yet, there are plenty of places in the &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/renting\/city-living-village-feel\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;City living, village feel&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10770,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[442],"tags":[374,294,75,76,289,340,167,375,283,376],"class_list":["post-10762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-renting","tag-ealing","tag-greenwich","tag-hampstead","tag-highgate","tag-kew","tag-lifestyle","tag-london","tag-marylebone","tag-renting","tag-village"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10762"}],"version-history":[{"count":45,"href":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10762\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27000,"href":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10762\/revisions\/27000"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benhams.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}