Belgravia: The charm of Belgravia

Across the years, writers, poets and artists have loved to portray London's distinctive areas in their works, and Belgravia is no exception. Anthony Trollope included extensive descriptions of the area in four of his novels, while Evelyn Waugh made Pont Street synonymous with the idiosyncrasies of the upper class throughout Brideshead Revisited. Indeed, an episode of Sherlock - the popular BBC programme based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classics - featured the area prominently and was even entitled 'A Scandal in Belgravia'.

So what exactly is so 'scandalous' about the area that gets tongues waggling? For many people, it's the price. Belgravia is an extremely expensive location to live in. But there are good reasons for the high cost of living as it's one of the most prestigious areas in London.

While it is one of the city's quieter districts, there are still plenty of unique little shops to explore, as well as dozens of independent bakeries, cafes and pubs that are simply perfect for whiling away an afternoon. With Buckingham Palace located to the east and gorgeous architecture to be noted in Eaton Square and Upper Belgrave Street, you'll never tire of things to see or do. We recommend a visit to Belgrave Square to take in all the embassies and maybe take a spot of lunch in a nearby eatery.

Transport-wise, the district is close to Victoria Train Station which serves southern and south-eastern train services as well as the Gatwick Express. Failing that, one can hop on a coach to pretty much anywhere in the country at the adjoining coach station. Heading into the centre of London? No problem - just hop on the Tube and take the district and circle line to Embankment where it's just a short walk to Covent Garden and its plethora of attractions.

There is a reason why Belgravia houses are often cited as the most expensive in London as their highly characteristic design has made them extremely desirable among the nouveu riche. Stuccoed balconies, stone-clad walls and lavish exteriors all contribute to the hype. Nearby park areas such as Chester Square and Hyde Park Corner also play their part in making this one of the most family-friendly places in London, coupled with the quiet nature away from the nightlife.

If this article hasn't been enough to convince you, Belgravia also has a list of previous tenants as long as your arm who would generously provide you with a favourite testimony. Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent more than 20 years of his life residing in the area, while James Bond stars Roger Moore and Sean Connery will undoubtedly have found themselves shaken, stirred and extremely satisfied thanks to the district's distinctive pleasures.

If you were to move in today, you could easily find yourself bumping into comedienne Jennifer Saunders, cook Nigella Lawson or even musical mogul Andrew Lloyd Webber. While the area is certainly expensive enough to put some people off instantly, we believe the advantages of living in such a gorgeous area certainly justify the price tag.

Published 15th February, 2013

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