Queensdale Road

The Grand Tour

Entrance to the house is via the raised-ground level, up a set of steps running alongside the front garden. The hallway leads to a wonderfully bright south-facing living room on the left, illuminated by large bay windows which maintain their original shutters. Intricate cornicing runs around the ceiling of the room and a ceiling rose and fireplace complete the space, which leads down to a charming recessed kitchen and dining area overlooking the garden. Here, wood-fronted units are built in underneath open shelves, with tiles in terracotta and black grounding the scheme against superb Osborne & Little wallpaper. There is a guest WC on this level and ample storage space throughout.

Stairs lead up to the first floor, where the master bedroom and large family bathroom are located. Three further bedrooms can be found on the second floor, one of which is currently used as a study. All the rooms feel light and airy, partially due to their sizable sash windows, but also aided by a variety of wallpaper which lends a truly unique atmosphere to each space. The master bedroom has built-in bookshelves and a working gas coal fire, while the large bathroom contains a wood-panelled bath and built-in vanity unit. A white and blue colour palette here is brightened by sunlight entering through the sash window.

The upper levels of the house overlook a row of pastel-coloured houses behind, visible through the leaves of tall trees in the garden. The three bedrooms on the second floor have a mixture of built-in wardrobes and shelving and are serviced by another bathroom. There is also potential to convert the large attic space for those with grand designs in mind.

The Great Outdoors

A 50 ft long garden extends out behind the house, replete with beautifully planted flowerbeds and a pretty summer house at one end. There is a paved seating area which – British weather permitting – is the perfect spot for a morning cup of tea, surrounded by hedges and trees that provide privacy.

Out and About

Holland Park is one of London’s most desirable neighbourhoods, awash with independent shops, cafes, and restaurants. Weekends can be spent sampling delights from the butcher C. Lidgate or fishmonger The Fish Shop, perhaps with a trip to independent booksellers Daunt Books or local Soho House cinema The Electric thrown in for good measure. Portobello Market is close at hand, as well as a selection of delectable restaurants – Core by Clare Smyth and The Ledbury are both local (and Michelin) favourites – and bars such as Julie’s.

Green space is within easy reach of Queensdale Road: Holland Park and its calm Japanese-style Kyoto Gardens are just minutes away. The wide expanse of Hyde Park and neighbouring Kensington Gardens is slightly further away but still easily accessible for weekend picnics and strolls.

Queensdale Road is less than ten minutes’ walk from Holland Park and Shepherd’s Bush Underground stations (both Central Line) and Shepherd’s Bush Overground. Notting Hill Gate Underground is a 15-minute walk (Central, District and Circle Lines) while the nearby Westway provides quick access to the A40 and surrounding motorways.

Further Reading

The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst

Notting Hill: A Walking Guide by Julian Mash