Situated between St John’s Wood, Regent’s Park, Camden and Chalk Farm, Primrose Hill is a small public park with breathtaking views across central London. Traditionally home to the artistic intelligentsia, the streets of Primrose Hill village are littered with English Heritage blue plaques commemorating residents such as Sylvia Plath, WB Yeats and Frederick Engels.

The key to Primrose Hill’s popularity is its sense of seclusion (regulated by traffic speed measures) making it one of the last remaining villages in North West London. Its exceptional housing stock is typified by Chalcot Square, located behind the main shopping street, which boasts elegant stucco-fronted houses overlooking a pretty garden square.

The unique sense of community found in Primrose Hill has made it first choice for young families and couples alike. The wealth of restaurants, boutiques, cafes and bars found along Regents Park Road serve as the heart of the area and have been part of the resistance to any multi-national chains spoiling Primrose Hill’s special character. For those looking for the best Greek restaurant in London then look no further than ‘Lemonia’.

This fierce independence and desire to maintain Primrose Hill’s peculiarities is instilled into its residents. These attributes are clear to see for those travelling down Albert Terrace toward Regents Park Road at the south-east edge of the Park. In the front window of one particular property on Regents Park Road there can be seen as wooden rocking horse. This rocking horse has been sitting there for so long that it has now become a stipulation of the lease that it cannot be moved.

History

Primrose Hill was originally part of a hunting forest during Henry VIII’s reign but was bought from Eton College in 1841. It was then opened to the public in an attempt to placate the common man denied access to parts of neighbouring Regents Park.

Further back in its history Primrose Hill was the backdrop to a catalogue of duels and murders, while medieval seer Mother Shipton made the apocalyptic prediction that if ever London spread to envelop this rolling meadow, the streets would become rivers of blood. Happily this was less than accurate and the area has been a favoured leisure spot for over 150 years.