The ultimate area guide to Belgravia, London
Belgravia is a Central London neighbourhood in the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, renowned for its chicness and charm that blends aristocratic undertones from a bygone era with a more contemporary, bustling neighbourhood atmosphere. Its architecture is refined and predominantly Georgian, featuring white stucco villas lining leafy residential streets, squares and crescents, while many classic pretty mews streets lie hidden behind these grand townhouses. Whether you’ve just moved to the area, or you’re looking for things to do in Belgravia on a sunny day out, you’ve come to the right place. Keep scrolling to read our ultimate area guide to Belgravia.
The ultimate area guide to Belgravia
History of Belgravia
Belgravia takes its moniker from the village of Belgrave, Cheshire, home to Eaton Hall, the Grosvenor family’s country estate. Thanks to the work undertaken by the Grosvenor family from the 18th century and beyond, Belgravia transformed from a swampy marshland to one of London’s most desirable neighbourhoods, attracting aristocrats and wealthy residents during the 19th century and is now celebrated for its outstanding architectural, historical and social appeal.
Architecture in Belgravia
Architecturally, Belgravia is a handsome blend of Regency style and late Georgian terraces, crescents and squares that make up the Grosvenor estate. Situated between Knightsbridge and Victoria, they were laid out during the mid-1830’s by master planner, Thomas Cubitt. Today, Belgravia is distinguished by its large properties, from very spacious townhouses and villas, luxury lateral apartments to original mews houses. White stucco, brick, slate, painted timber sashes and joinery characterise the district’s buildings; the use of which has changed remarkably little in nearly two hundred years and new build development has been kept to a minimum.
Belgravia’s Mews Property & Prices
Knightsbridge and Belgravia boast the highest concentration of original mews houses with 40 mews streets in total. These mews houses are popular among young couples and families, city workers and for those wanting a quiet, elegant pied-Ã -terre in a prime central London location.
A nicely renovated mews property in Belgravia will achieve in the region of £2,000 per square foot. Prices range from £1,500/ft for more tired properties, all the way up to in excess of £3,000 per square foot for excellently presented homes.
Things to do in Belgravia
Belgravia offers an array of artisan shops, pretty mews, excellent restaurants, quaint cafes and beautiful green spaces to visit and explore. Below, we list some of our favourite places to add to your Belgravia itinerary.
Shopping
Pantechnicon – head to 19 Motcomb Street to discover this unique emporium housed in a former arts and crafts warehouse – showcasing a mixture of Japanese and Nordic traditions fused together in the most inspiring way. There is ample opportunity to sample the delights from both countries as well as make purchases and enjoy some hands-on experiences. The location houses a studio featuring fashion, homeware and gifts uncovered during travels to these amazing countries. Beyond that, there is a world of culinary delights to try. Grab a coffee at Café-Kitsuné and soak up the Parisian atmosphere combined with a Japanese twist.
Pavilion Road SW1 – Welcome to London’s longest mews that runs parallel to Sloane Street, falling just on the edge of what is traditionally considered Belgravia. No weekend would be complete without a few hours spent leisurely perusing this most attractive pedestrianised road, where after indulgent shopping, you can find a café to sit in the sunshine. There are copious food stores like London Cheesemongers, displaying no less than 50 different cheeses in one day. For fashionistas and style-lovers, there are gorgeous boutiques including Olivia von Halle, The White Company and Kate Spade.
Orange Square – A small square in Belgravia home to fabulous interior design shops and a fantastic farmer’s market where you can buy fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses.
Peggy Porschen Parlour – Under the creative direction of owner Peggy Porschen, cake baking is taken to another level and local residents and visitors feel like they’ve entered a fairy tale at the shop on Ebury Street. The extensive range of cakes and confectioneries produced by a skilled team of pastry chefs are constantly creating new tastes to ‘wow’ and exclusive cakes can be made to order for any occasion.
Culture, Art & Antiques
Haynes – Further along Pimlico Road is this family-run fine art dealership that came from humble beginnings and grew to become one of the largest dealers of fine art. Millions of pounds worth of stock change hands every year with an extensive inventory of incredible pieces available for sale. Collectors and one-off buyers will be mesmerised by the outstanding choice of pieces perfect to display in any mews home.
LINLEY – This beautiful shop creates bespoke and high-end furniture, luxury gifts, accessories, and provides interior design services that showcase the finest British design and craftsmanship.
Osborne Art Gallery – One of London’s leading specialists in Modern British painting and sculpture, with a renowned reputation for its stunning exhibits and publications.
Green Spaces & Garden Squares
Belgrave Square Garden – In 1826, designer George Basevi and Thomas Cubitt created this 4.5 acre Belgravia centrepiece to act as a landscape for the square’s grand new houses. Influenced by a Loudon design, the square’s layout remains faithful to its original network of paths and retains some of the original planting in the form of mature plane trees. A central path curves through pergolas adorned with wisteria and roses.
Chester Square Garden – Lying in the centre of Belgravia, it was laid out between 1828 and 1840 by the 1st Duke of Westminster, and his surveyor and architect Thomas Cundy II. Cundy also designed St Michael’s Church on the west side, which provides a backdrop to the 1.5-acre garden. The garden is surrounded by herbaceous borders and conceals a tranquil central rose garden. Rope-edged tiles and some original trees have survived. Past residents include poet Matthew Arnold (1822-88) at no. 2 and Frankenstein author Mary Shelley (1797-1851) at no. 24, Margaret Thatcher.
Eaton Square Garden – named after the Duke of Westminster’s principal Cheshire home – Eaton Hall. The Grosvenor Estate’s master builder, Thomas Cubitt, started laying out the six gardens that form the square in 1826. Today, the garden is a peaceful retreat of formal lawns, mixed borders, formal raised beds, and shady pathways. There are also sundials and water features by sculptor David Harber. Famous residents continue to reside at this prestigious address, with former inhabitants including Neville Chamberlain and actress Vivien Leigh.
Food and Drinks
The Horse & Groom Pub – The Horse and Groom is a haven of hospitality and charm. Tucked away in a pretty cobbled mews off Belgrave Square the interior retains its period character with wood panelling and etched glass. Locals rub shoulders with celebrity residents and visitors passing by – the staff are friendly and welcoming. The menu is full of ‘home cooked’, seasonal fayre accompanied by a fine selection of ales, beers, wines and spirits.
Poilane – Founded back in 1932 by French baker, Pierre Poliane, is the epitome of an artisan French bakery infused with English charm, one spanning three generations. Their focus is on using quality ingredients that respect the environment and provide the best taste and nutritional experience. Everything is made in their own wood-fired ovens to offer handmade sourdough breads, sables and baker’s pastries.
La Poule au Pot – This French restaurant, largely unchanged inside since the 60s, is very much a Belgravia institution. It’s intimate nooks and crannies offer a relaxed cosy dining experience. The menu is classically French – Les escargots, dover sole, coq au vin and tarte tatin are just a few staples, to be savoured with an excellent French wine. The generous outdoor dining is popular on long warm summer evenings.
Motcomb Street is a pedestrianised thoroughfare; a cool urban oasis with independent stores and trendy eateries, ideal for meandering on a weekend, while Elizabeth Street retains its history but has been reinvigorated with its ‘floral façade’ lined shop facades, pink-painted corner buildings and Victorian townhouses interspersed by high-end fashion boutiques and signature restaurants.
Eccleston Yards – If you’re looking for quaint or quirky coffee shops, pay a visit to Eccleston Yards, a dynamic central courtyard with cafes, select retailers and fancy restaurants dotted around. Popular places include Wild by Tart and amie wine studio which combines a wine shop, a wine bar and an art gallery under one roof.
Mews of Belgravia
Groom Place – if you imagine a picturesque, beautiful mews of exceptionally well-maintained period mews houses, then Groom Place is it! 26 houses line the peaceful cobbled street. Since 2020, it has been home to Tom Aitkens’ Michelin star restaurant – Muse, offering fine dining for just 23 covers in a converted Georgian mews. Take note – there are a total of 16 Michelin starred restaurants in Belgravia, so plenty of choice!
Halkin Mews – located off of Motcomb Street, opposite another mews, Kinnerton Street, sits on the borders of Knightsbridge and Belgravia. It is a private, cobbled, cul-de-sac mews with only seven mews homes – wonderfully located for the shops, restaurants and galleries in this fancy neighbourhood.
Ecclestone Square Mews – another cobbled cul-de-sac, it is approached through its own arch off Belgrave Place in Westminster. There are 30 properties in the mews, used for residential purposes and it runs directly in line with Eaton Mews North.
Eaton Mews North – another original, surviving mews, which is much sought-after being a pretty, private, cobbled mews in the heart of Belgravia. The houses have private parking in front and two entrances off Lyall Street and Eaton Place. Residents have a most convenient short walk to the bars and restaurants of Sloane Square and boutiques of Knightsbridge.
Famous faces in Belgravia
Living in exclusive Belgravia means that you are likely going to come across famous names and faces – who knows who your potential neighbours in the mews may be… recent faces who have been residents in Belgravia included Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, who owned a 30,000 square foot property and former Chelsea FC manager Jose Mourinho who lived in a property overlooking Eaton Square. Lord Saatchi, Nigella Lawson, George Soros and Lord Norman Foster have all lived in Belgravia.
Belgravia has been home to historians, poets, princes, statesmen, industrialists, inventors, field marshals, scientists, actors, politicians, painters and reformers. Mozart wrote his first ever symphony at 180 Ebury Street in 1764 when he was just eight years old and he was influenced by Johann Christian Bach, son of Johann Sebastien, who was living in Belgravia at the time.
Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher, Neville Chamberlain and Stanley Baldwin and former Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax and Richard Bingham, better known as the 7th Earl of Lucan have also lived in the area. Joan Collins, Sir Michael Caine, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Sir Christopher Lee, Vivien Leigh, Lillie Langtry, actress and famous mistress of Edward VII, Sarah Brightman, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Elizabeth Hurley plus James Bond actors Sean Connery and Roger Moore have all lived in Belgravia, as did Ian Fleming – the writer who created the fictional spy.
Mews Life in Belgravia
Belgravia has the advantage of being well-connected to access central London and other neighbourhoods, as well as being within easy reach of Victoria mainline station and the underground network. Living in one of the many mews streets also means that you can easily walk to local amenities, green spaces and shops – everything is on the doorstep.
Then, there is the important social aspect of mews life in Belgravia – this means that your neighbours will be a mix of local residents, local businesses and shop owners. Being a mews resident gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in a thriving vibrant community, surrounded by food, fashion, co-working and wellbeing. It’s a lifestyle that lends itself to all generations and opens the door to friendship, fun and the finer things in Belgravia.
Are you looking to live in Belgravia? Contact our team at enquiries@lurotbrand.co.uk to see how we can assist you with your search.
