Child-friendly: The best family homes in London for sale now

07 Jul 2022 | Updated on: 27 Sep 2022 | By Anna Solomon

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 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. And, talking of proximity, they’re well-connected to all manner of amenities, including schools. Happy house hunting!

Steele’s Road, NW3

This Grade II listed property has been under the same ownership for 33 years, which is the marker of a great family home. Perhaps the current inhabitants stuck around for the 452.8 sq m of space. Or it could also have something to do with the fact that this Queen Anne-style home sits on a 0.26-acre plot – there’s plenty of space for kids to run around in the country-style garden, despite being in the heart of North London. Other attractions include the home’s 1876 provenance, the lovely red brick facade, and the Steele’s Road location, which is widely considered one of the most sought-after streets in Belsize Park. The road is equidistant from Hampstead Village, Primrose Hill and Camden – super-convenient for amenities and schools, which include The Village Prep School, Herewood House, South Hampstead High School and The American School.

Guide price £8,350,000, astonchase.com

St. James’s Place, SW1A

Despite its location in one of the most prime, and therefore busiest, areas of London, this property is rather discreet. It’s on a cul-de-sac just off St James’s Street, offering the best of both worlds in terms of peace and quiet, and proximity to the boutiques, restaurants and members’ clubs of Mayfair. This Grade II-listed townhouse dates back to the 17th century, but has been recently refurbished and now brims with bespoke finishes and premium materials. It comprises four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and two reception rooms – a great family size – as well as a steam room, treatment room and media room to boot. Take the family to Green Park, which is around the corner, on a Saturday morning, or jump on the adjacent tube for links all over London.

£7,950,000, carterjonas.co.uk

Pelham Place, SW7

Sometimes, finding a large home in the commercial inner boroughs can be a challenge. South Kensington represents the solution, boasting a slew of residential offerings alongside the glitz of PCL. This is one such offering that should catch the eye of any family man or woman looking to balance home, work and social lives. The property is nestled within one of those imposing part-stucco Regency terraces native to Kensington and Chelsea; stepping inside, however, proceedings are distinctly homey. There are five/six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and four reception spaces – again, no issues with space. There is also a substantial rear garden, as well as access to the communal gardens of Pelham Crescent, so that’s a tick for outdoor space, too. If you’d like to expand further, planning permission has been granted to build a subterranean extension under the garden.

Guide price £8,995,000, struttandparker.com

Cadogan Street, SW3

Here’s another South Ken home providing both style and substance – this 2,900 sq ft townhouse features five bedrooms, a bespoke kitchen, a glass patio extension, a south-facing courtyard, a cinema room and staff/guest accommodation. It also has all-important off-street parking, as well as an electric charging point. But perhaps the property’s biggest selling point is that it is the first renovation project by interior designer Fiona Barratt Campbell and her ex-footballer husband Sol Campbell – the pair bought the building, which was originally a dentist’s studio and individual flats, before restoring the facade and rebuilding internal structures to create this gorgeous family dwelling. It has been furnished with pieces from Barratt Cambell’s own brand, FBC London, and can be purchased with or without the furniture package.

Guide price £7,750,000, struttandparker.com

Chiswick Green, W4

We’re now moving into south and west London – the corners of the capital typically known for being family-friendly. This property is for those pursuing the new build life; a striking development in leafy, affluent Chiswick. Chiswick Green is a collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and townhouses representing the perfect blend of modern and outdoor living; the collection, as the name suggests, spills right into the park. Contemporary flats are arranged across four buildings; in each, an elegant interior palette meets natural finishes and tactile detailing. Tradition be damned – Chiswick Green proves that, in 2022, a family home doesn’t have to mean a period townhouse with a sprawling yard. It can also mean a spacious new build with a concierge and access to green space.

Townhouses start from £1,625,000, residential.jll.co.uk

Broomhouse Lane, SW6

At six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, two living rooms and 888 sq m, it’s safe to say that this extensively refurbished home is family-sized. The property is arranged over three floors, with all of the double bedrooms boasting en suites. The living room is vast, the office room generous, and the kitchen/diner/family room open plan (and highly impressive). Elsewhere, the Broomhouse Lane home goes above and beyond: there is a private courtyard garden, a heated swimming pool and cinema, a gated driveway with space for two cars, plus CCTV and a top-of-the-range alarm system. The property overlooks Fulham’s Hurlingham Park and its extensive sport facilities – the area, again, is a hit with families thanks to its green space, residential offering and abundance of great schools.

£15,000,000, residential.jll.co.uk

Read more: The best homes with gardens for sale in London

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