Kennington: Rich history and small town charm

Kennington is an idyllic residential area set close to the heart of the City of London. It is known for having large areas owned by the Prince of Wales and the Duchy of Cornwall, as well as for its exquisite Georgian architecture. There are a range of property types available throughout the area, including new-builds, cottages and ex-council homes; offering opportunities for a range of bank account sizes.

It is fast becoming one of the most popular places for young professionals and new couples to settle. With its quiet streets, independent shops, proximity to the Thames and country village feel, Kennington has become the go-to area for politicians and families with children.

Steeped in history  

Kennington's history is laid bare for all to see in its stunning buildings. There are a couple of buildings of particular interest within the area, including the Old Church. This church was built on the same site as a former chapel, which disappeared before 1790. The church, built in 1828, was designed with many Norman features including the windows and the West door; in fact the execution of the design was so accurate it is often mistaken for a Norman building.

The Tandem Public House is also part of Kennington's rich history. Originally built in 1770, it was then rebuilt and enlarged in 1939 on the previous building's foundations. The public house originally held the name 'The Fish' but after students at the university began to drive their horses in pairs during the 19th Century - an activity that was not allowed in the city - making it fashionable to keep the second horse at the stables before heading on into the city. Thus The Fish became known as The Tandem.

Small town charm

There isn't really a town centre in Kennington, but a reasonable number of independent shops, restaurants and pubs are to be found in the area around Kennington Cross. Whilst this won't offer you a full shopping experience, Vauxhall and Waterloo are literally minutes away and have a large range of high street shopping options. With the lack of shopping attractions the area is able to maintain its small town charm.

The restaurant choices are quite varied and mostly of a high quality. There are several fish, Indian, Chinese, Thai and Japanese restaurants with very good reputations to choose from. There are also several pubs that serve traditional grub and are rather cosy, giving you a few options for your local.

If it's dancing at the weekend you want, Kennington is home to the South London Pacific tiki bar. The bar has an energetic dance floor that is open on Friday and Saturday nights. All in all it's a fun, themed bar that serves some very good cocktails.

Being so close to the city centre, all of London's attractions are available to you and easy to access; allowing you to live like you are in a country village but have the benefit of city amenities.

Getting around

Kennington has its own Tube station, allowing for an easy commute into various areas of London. It is also reasonably easy to walk or cycle as the Vauxhall and Lambeth bridges offer a direct route into the city. The buses also use these routes, meaning that it is incredibly easy to get to the West End if you fancy catching a show.      

 

Published 25th July, 2013

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