Fitzrovia: Variety aplenty

In Central London, few places feel more foreign than Fitzrovia. The district, as well as its close neighbour Bloomsbury, is the closest a London resident can get to living in a European city. Of course, you'll have to excuse the chronic lack of sunshine, but the combination of close cobbled streets and extravagant squares gives Fitzrovia a definite Barcelona-esque feel. Its location in Central London - lodged between Bloomsbury and Marylebone - makes it ideal for those who prefer their conveniences … well, convenient. You can work, shop and eat within just a few streets of where you live. Perfect.

Properties

Fitzrovia is unique for its enormous array of architecture. In one area, you'll find winding narrow warrens packed with miniature boutiques and tiny local shops. Then just a few footsteps will take you to a sweeping square dominated by grand buildings and trees.

This diversity resonates throughout the extraordinary varied number of properties on offer. Over in the direction of the famous Great Ormond Street Hospital, you'll find the immaculately-kept streets lined with stunningly beautiful Georgian properties. Between Tottenham Court Road and Gower Street, residential properties are largely made up of flats above shops or in converted houses. Close to Russell Square, you'll find anything from red-and-brick tenement blocks to elegant mansions.

The area attracts all sorts. You could find yourself moving in between an investment banker on one side and an out-of-town family on the other. This is illustrated in the celebrities who have previously occupied Fitzrovia, which vary from writer Virginia Woolf to famous economist John Maynard Keynes. Rental prices range from £270 to £975 per week in order to reflect this diversity.

Shopping and nightlife

Once you've found a house you like, you're going to need some local knowledge on what to do in the area. There is much on offer here, with Tottenham Court Road at the centre of homeware and furniture shopping. Once you've had a look around here - and perhaps stopped for a pub grub or cafe lunch - head down to Lambs Conduit Street and check out the array of privately-owned shops that cater for everything from fashion and jewellery to unique furniture and out-of-print books.

Sporty folk may choose to spend their afternoon at the Oasis, which is the closest council-owned swimming pool. For those who prefer to spend their time sitting down, the nearest cinema is the Renoir in the Brunswick Centre, which shows a number of fascinating art films every day. West End theatres are just a walk or a Tube ride away if you want to catch a matinee, and then its onto a restaurant in the evening to discuss the show over dinner. Alan Yau’s Hakkasan Chinese restaurant is highly recommended, but there's plenty on offer if you're not feeling the mysteries of the orient. Spaghetti House serves up a fine Italian while Cigala caters for Spanish enthusiasts.

Then off home to your gorgeous house to sleep off that excellent food and recover from a busy day. Bliss.

Published 26th April, 2013

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