Bayswater: where worlds collide

Fancy living in an area where you could feasibly call Hyde Park your back garden? Or where you can call a gorgeous townhouse with a Victorian stucco terrace 'home'? In that case, look no further than Bayswater, a built-up district bordering Kensington Gardens that is often described as one of the most attractive areas in London. Be prepared for gorgeous tree-lined streets, wide open spaces and a varied and cosmopolitan community - hence the name of this article.

Housing

But before we take you on a tour of the area itself, let's have a gander at some of the housing you can expect to find in Bayswater. Architecturally, the biggest part of the area is made up of Georgian stucco terraces and garden squares, which make for a fantastic setting. The majority of these buildings are split up into flats, although there are still a handful of whole homes out there waiting to be grabbed.

Property ranges from very expensive apartments to small flats. As is always the case, if you want privacy, you'll have to pay for it. Studios start at around £160 per week, although you can cut the price dramatically by going into a house share where prices can be as low as £90 per week. If you're insistent about living on your own, a one-bedroom apartment will set you back £300 per week, with two bedrooms at £500 and three bedrooms at £600. Renting a house starts at £1,500 and up.

Compared to more central locations, you can expect to get a fair bit of space for your money and Bayswater properties have a reputation for being well-lit. Furthermore, the area is known for having a safe reputation, with annual crime figures reflecting this. It's a factor worth considering if you plan to be walking home several nights a week.

Bayswater itself

So what of the area? We start our tour outside of Bayswater Tube station, positioned on the borough's busiest road, Queensway. The bustling street is as busy as a beehive and likely to be thronging if you're visiting during the day. In fact, the trendy collection of late-night cafes, multi-national restaurants and exotic bars keep the buzzing atmosphere going into the early hours of the morning.

Queensway is a testimony to the area's cosmopolitan nature, with newsagents on every corner abundantly stocked with foreign newspapers. Cheap Lebanese and Chinese restaurants are also very common and highly recommended - Queensway has one of the highest concentrations of eateries outside of Soho, so it's worth taking advantage of if you happen to live here.

Shopping and entertainment

They say there are just two things you can't miss when you go to Bayswater. One of these is entertainment and the other is the shopping scene, which is sure to satisfy any shopaholic's thirst for the latest trends and fashions. Whiteley's Shopping Centre is your friend on both fronts here. Originally constructed in 1912 by Belcher & Joass, it was widely purported to stock everything from an elephant to a pin. While we can't promise you'll find African safari creatures, the building's history means it is architecturally one of the most stunning places to carry out your Saturday shopping in the country, despite its reconstruction in 1981.

Quite apart from being visually stunning, the building is more than capable of meeting the needs of the most demanding enthusiast. Suffice to say, you'll find a comprehensive selection of shops - HMV, Marks & Spencer, French Connection and GAP to name a few - as well as a variety of handy cafes to take a break in with a latte or a mocha. Those wishing to sample something a little different would be advised to try out the on-site sushi bar, while vintage clothes fanatics are likely to be enthralled by Victory Vintage.

Fancy ditching the shops in favour of some family fun? No problem - Whiteley's is also home to a number of entertainment venues including an Odeon cinema showing the latest releases and a bowling alley.

If you're getting tired of Queensway then you'll want to head over to Westbourne Grove, which is becoming increasingly popular with the young designer-led crowd. Exploring the plethora of boutiques, eateries and galleries is sure to keep you entertained for hours, while those seeking a more cultured pastime would be well-advised to check out St Sophia Greek Orthadox Cathedral on Moscow Street.

Transport links

Although Bayswater has the benefit of feeling far away from Central London in terms of wide open spaces, large rooms and a comparatively quiet environment, the area is surprisingly close to the centre of town. Covent Garden is never more than half an hour's walk away down Oxford Street, which will prove exceptionally appealing to those working in the middle of town who prefer to shun the Tube or train.

Central Bayswater is served by three major Tube lines - District, Circle and Central - while travellers seeking to get beyond the confines of London for a weekend or a holiday have the option of Paddington Rail Station to the north and Victoria and associated coach station to the south.

Pubs and nightlife

Whether you're looking for somewhere to get your groove on for the rest of the night or just a quiet place for a cheeky evening drink, Bayswater can provide. We recommend making The Prince Edward your local as its friendly relaxed atmosphere is sure to suit everyone from families to young professionals looking to get the party started. A fine selection of ales goes down a treat.

For something a little more hardcore than a pub or bar, you'll find Cherryjam is just the ticket. This hot little bar/club combo get the hottest names in music to mix their vibes, with recent attendees including Madonna and the Gorillaz crew. In other words, it's almost painfully trendy.

The lowdown

In summary, it doesn't matter what you're seeking in a place to live. Bayswater has it all - excellent shopping, a vibrant community and gorgeous housing, to name a handful of positive factors. But don't just take our word for it. Jump on a bus and find out.

Published 18th March, 2013

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