Underrated 1-Bed London Pied-à-terre Locations
When people think of a 1-bed London pied-à-terre, they tend to think of areas within Prime Central London (PCL), such as Mayfair, Marylebone, Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Chelsea…
However, if you go slightly further afield, it is my belief that you can find a superb 1-bed pied-à-terre in a great part of London.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a beautiful part of central London.
In my opinion, you will be very hard pressed to find a better location in London in which to own a 1-bed pied-à-terre than Covent Garden.
You are literally in the very heart of the city, with shops, theatres, cinemas and restaurants literally all within walking distance.
There are five underground stations very close by (yes, five!) which makes it ideal for use either when needed during the week or as a dedicated weekend pied-à-terre.
Soho
Historically speaking, Soho has not had the best of reputations.
However, it is now seen as an up and coming place in which to own a 1-bed pied-à-terre and is next door to world famous Mayfair.
It is near well known cinemas, restaurants and shops as well as being incredibly close to theatres, making it the perfect location for weekend 1-bed pied-à-terre users.
Crossrail will positively impact the area (from Tottenham Court Road), which could mean that it becomes an increasingly popular part of London.
“In my opinion, you will be very hard pressed to find a better location in London in which to own a 1-bed pied-à-terre than Covent Garden.”
Leicester Square
Leicester Square is quite rightly seen as the centre of London’s West End.
The location speaks for itself, as it is bang in the centre of all that central London has to offer…
Walk in one direction and you are in the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly Circus and in the direction of St James’s and walk in the other direction and you are heading towards Covent Garden…
Nearby stations include Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross (including the overground train to Charing Cross station), making it well placed for those who would catch the tube.
St James’s
For me, St James’s is one of the most beautiful and classically British parts of all of central London.
It was often seen as the less flash sister/ brother to it’s next door neighbour, Mayfair, and actually that is a fair description because it offers potential 1-bed pied-à-terre buyers the chance to live in the centre of London, but to live in a slightly more relaxed vibe than that of Mayfair.
Sure… Mayfair is great, but it does have a very commercial feel to it and it can be a bit overwhelming at times.
St James’s offers stunning architecture with some of London’s best shops (such as those located on Jermyn Street), but with a bit more of a classic and relaxed feeling to it.
If I could live anywhere in central London it would be St James’s…!
Hampstead
I know, I know…
Surely a 1-bed pied-à-terre is meant to be in the centre of London?
Usually, yes!
However, for me, Hampstead offers a location which is not too far away from central London (it is a 15 minute tube (train!) journey from Hampstead to Leicester Square via the Northern Line)…
Would I recommend Hampstead if you were after a weekend 1-bed pied-à-terre?
Probably not…
However, Hampstead is a practical location for those that are travelling from the country for more than just the weekend and need a place in London in which to base themselves for, say, 4 nights during the week.
Would you consider looking at any of these locations in which to buy a 1-bed London based pied-à-terre?