Child-friendly: The best family homes in London for sale now
Party palaces and bachelor pads have had their day – it’s time for a home with practical credentials. But there’s no need to sacrifice style for substance
As we move through life, our priorities change. Back in the day, a penthouse suite with a hot tub and marble flooring may have represented the pinnacle of desirability. Now, those floors are a hazard, the hot tub extraneous (who has the time?), and a penthouse means one thing: shepherding kids up ten floors. Once upon a time, a one-bed bolthole would have done fine; now you’re on the hunt for family homes in London and probably contemplating things like square meterage and proximity to schools.
If this is ringing true, allow us to help you out. We’ve found some fantastic properties that tick various boxes: they’re large enough for a family, with three bedrooms or more. They have plenty of space for little ones to run around in, whether that be a private garden or proximity to a park, with some even offering entertainment optiosn such as indoor swimming pools, games rooms and home cinemas. And, talking of proximity, they’re well-connected to all manner of amenities, including schools. Happy house hunting!
Hamilton Terrace, St John’s Wood, NW8
A beautiful six-bedroom, seven-bathroom house, this vast yet welcoming five-storey property is the perfect family home in London. Situated in the prominent St John’s Wood area, known for its proximity to excellent schools and sprawling green spaces, this characterful Georgian property is immaculate and enchanting. Boasting the grand proportions that were common for the era, this unique home seamlessly combines historic architecture and period features with contemporary design.
Standout features include elegant and versatile entertaining spaces, including a full-width terrace with garden views, a spacious kitchen, a family room and a grand reception room, all ideal for big gatherings. The residence also dedicated the entire first floor to an expansive principal bedroom, equipped with two en-suite bathrooms, a study, dressing room and walk-in wardrobe, as well as a further five double bedrooms, two of which are en-suite. On the top floor, a large open-plan room with outstanding views would make an ideal games or playroom, while the subterranean indoor pool is sure to delight all year round.
Listed for £22.5m, sothebysrealty.co.uk
Whistler Square, Chelsea, SW1W
A stunning six-bedroom house, this fantastic property sits within the highly sought-after Chelsea Barracks development on Whistler Square. Intelligently designed, it is inspired by the Georgian townhouses that line the surrounding streets but boasts all the modern finishes and contemporary flourishes of a modern family home. Landscaped with a pleasing water feature and blossom-laden trees, Whistler Square is safe, tranquil, and calm – the perfect vicinity in which to raise young children.
Arranged across six floors and totalling a vast 13,067 square feet, the house boasts both formal and informal reception rooms, perfect for entertaining or nights in with the family, while a private garden and indoor swimming pool ensure there’s plenty for the little ones to do without leaving the house. What’s more, a quiet study will allow for working from home in peace.
Listed for £47m, sothebysrealty.co.uk
Shawfield Street, Chelsea, SW3
Recently refurbished and extended by the current owners to an impeccable standard, this light, bright and airy home is inviting and charming, and provides a wonderful backdrop for an art collection. Air-conditioned throughout for those sticky summer nights, this generous family home offers great entertaining and bedroom spaces. The formal drawing room opens onto a terrace at ground floor level, spot-on for throwing parties whatever the weather, while the extremely well-equipped kitchen opens onto a sociable dining area.
There is also a study or staff bedroom with shower room adjacent, and a separate entrance for a nanny or housekeeper, as well as a full utility room for all those muddy PE kits. It also boasts several practical plus points, such as off-street parking (with electric car charging), a spacious garage which will house all but the very largest cars and is currently used as a gym, and a deep rear garden with an open aspect to the south and west. Close to the King’s Road and the green spaces of Burton Court and the Chelsea Physic Gardens, there are also a wide range of excellent schools nearby.
Listed for £7.25m, johndwood.co.uk
Ovington Street, Chelsea, SW3
Quiet and unassuming, but perfectly positioned, this generous family home sits on one of Chelsea’s most sought-after roads, characterised by an abundance of attractive houses and wider-than-average pavement size. Boasting a respectably proportioned reception room, which leads onto a conservatory currently being used as a study, the large open-plan kitchen and family area has direct access to a garden with plenty of space for play.
With five bedrooms and four bathrooms, the property has been well-designed to meet the needs of a growing family and has all the amenities a head of a household would need, from a utility room to plenty of built-in storage. Transport links span Sloane Square, Knightsbridge and South Kensington Underground stations, as well as a vast selection of top schools, parks, museums, shops and restaurants.
Listed for £5m, johndwood.co.uk
Wadham Gardens, Primrose Hill, NW3
As picturesque as they come, this detached three-storey, five-bedroom period home was built by William Willett, a renowned property developer. Providing 6,621 square feet of living space, with an artist’s studio, garage, a rear garden and access to a central two-acre resident’s only private park, this stunning home on tree-lined Wadham Gardens would provide the perfect place from which to raise a family.
Built between 1896 and 1913, on land originally belonging to Eton College and now part of the prestigious Elsworthy Conservation Area, this house has a wonderful Willett legacy and provides an abundance of much-needed green space so close to central London. Set behind electric gates for extra safety, the landscaped front garden with off-street parking provides instant curb appeal. The home also comes with an exciting pre-planning application for the remodelling of the ground floor into an elegant but functional family living level devoted to cooking, dining, and chilling out, as well as an impressive new basement providing a leisure suite and staff quarters.
Listed for £19,950,000, beauchamp.com
Lamont Road, Chelsea, SW10
One of the most popular houses on the Ten Acre Estate, this fantastic five-bedroom family home has been rebuilt by the current owner behind the original façade. Boasting a whopping 3,500 square foot floorplan, with a private garden and stunning roof terrace, ideal for entertaining both bigs and littles, the high ceilings and intelligent proportions make it light, bright, airy and enjoyable to live in.
In addition to all this, a basement has been dug, boasting high ceilings and tons of natural light, to offer wine storage space, a bespoke bar, and plenty of room for a pool table, playroom or media room for teens. There is also a utility room as well as a maid or nanny room with shower room.
Listed for £6m, maskells.com
Petersham Mews, South Kensington, SW7
Spanning an impressive 2,279 square feet arranged over four floors, this large and attractive London mews house boasts three-bedroom suites, a reception room and a large basement media room/home office, together with outside space and dedicated parking. On the first floor, there are two bedrooms; one with an en-suite shower the other with en-suite bathroom and plenty of built-in wardrobes, one of which has a lovely terrace.
The top floor houses the third bedroom, which offers a shower room en-suite and handy storage area set under the eaves. Ideal for small families who don’t want to compromise on location, this lovely home offers flexible and luxurious living space, as well as an entertainment level on the lower ground floor, comprising a large cinema/home office and a gym, which is ideal for young adults, teens, and tweens.
Listed for £2,975,000, maskells.com
Greenaway Gardens, Hampstead, NW3
A substantial five-bedroom semi-detached home, this gorgeous property lies on a prime residential road in leafy Hampstead. Recently refurbished in a tasteful and contemporary manner, this charming period house, which is emblematic of the area’s grand homes, has enviably high ceilings, and offers around 3,550 square feet of top accommodation.
Comprising three reception rooms, five double bedrooms, three en-suite bathrooms and one family bathroom, private street security and parking for two cars are great additions when prioritising a safe and practical family home. The beautiful, secluded, rear south-west facing garden is the ideal place to entertain, unwind, or grow your own, making it the perfect playground for all the family.
Listed for £6.95m, arlingtonresidential.com
