Hillgate VillageKENSINGTON W8

Hillgate Village

Hillgate Village is considered one of Kensington’s best kept secrets. Located in the heart of the Royal Borough and quietly nestled immediately south of Notting Hill Gate and north of Kensington Place, it is immediately recognised by its pretty pastel coloured houses and proudly carries a W8 postcode – one of the most sought after in London.

Although the area is now a highly respected urban area, it has a slightly more unsavoury past and has undergone several incarnations in its history. Historically known as Kensington Gravel Pits, it provided much of the gravel and raw materials since the early 16th century required by the building trade for the development of the West End. It was also a source of inspiration with artists, most famously John Linnell, who painted detailed watercolours of gravel quarries, brick kilns and pit workers some of which are still exhibited at the Tate Gallery. Also known as “The Racks”, the area’s separate identity as Hillgate Village dates from 1808 when John James of Harley Street bought this part of the Campden House Estate for £6,790. Acquired two years later by the Johnson family, the land was established as a brickfi eld site although some development was undertaken on the north side of Uxbridge Street and Plough Lane (now Campden Hill Road). It was not until circa 1850 that economic conditions combined with the expiry of the lease on the brickfi eld encouraged a new venture between the Johnson family and Joseph Clutterbuck to develop the site further. Clutterbuck himself died soon after but development continued apace and some new parts were built and then knocked down to make way for Notting Hill Gate Railway Station in 1874. At this point, the majority of the properties were in multiple occupation and, according to The Census, had up to twenty people living in each house in near slum conditions. However since those dark days, Hillgate Village has transformed itself into a vibrant cosmopolitan neighbourhood of professionals and young families.

Notably the area took a big upturn when it was awarded the status of conservation area in 1970 by Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Today, it is only steps away from the bustling streets of Notting Hill Gate and High Street Kensington. You are immediately drawn into Hillgate Village’s petite, tranquil streets with its charming pastel coloured houses that make this prestigious area perfect for families and for those that seek a pied-à-terre or city home. These superb freehold houses are typically brick-faced and arranged over three fl oors. Several still exist in their original condition with beautiful period features including ornate cornicing, while others have been completely renovated encompassing contemporary open plan layouts. Unlike most Kensington properties, these houses often feature balconies and wonderful roof terraces, ideal for entertaining and al fresco dining. A number of the Borough’s best schools are within walking distance of Hillgate Village, one of the most sought after, being the Fox Primary School located on Kensington Place. Norland Place School on Holland Park Avenue, Pembridge Hall School on Pembridge Square and St Mary Abbots School on Kensington Church Walk are also all within close vicinity. Surrounded by the capital’s beloved green spaces of Holland Park, Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, residents can enjoy an amazing variety of public spaces to jog, walk their dog and have picnics.

Ideally situated, Hillgate Village is close to the numerous shopping, restaurant and transport amenities of Notting Hill Gate and Holland Park Avenue, while Kensington’s bustling High Street further boasts a wide variety of shops. The immediate area is also highlighted with beautiful independent boutiques,

Map Illustration by Rebecca Lea Williams

selling exquisite clothing and jewellery, while Kensington Church Street is an antique dealers’ dream. One of the most famous street markets, Portobello Road, the annual Holland Park Opera held in the summer months and high tea at The Orangery in Kensington Palace are all on the doorstep.

There are some excellent local watering holes to choose from including The Churchill Arms, The Windsor Castle, The Uxbridge and the Hillgate Pub. Established in 1939, Geales is one of the neighbourhood’s most well-known fi sh restaurants along with Kensington Place; while Black and Blue, Itsu and Greek A� air will satisfy a wide variety of palates.

Just around the corner towards Notting Hill Gate, is the Coronet Notting Hill Theatre, a famous London landmark cinema. It was originally built as a theatre in 1898 and then became one of the fi nest cinemas in London.

Hillgate Village also has impressive transport links to the rest of the capital. It has immediate access to a number of the underground stations within the Royal Borough including Notting Hill Gate, High Street Kensington and Holland Park.

Local Contact Information NURSERIESThe Square School 020 7221 6004Linden Gardens Pre-School 020 7229 2130 PRIMARY SCHOOLSFox Primary School 020 7727 7637Holland Park Pre-Preparatory School 020 7602 9066St. Mary Abbots Primary School 020 7937 0740Norland Place School 020 7603 9103Pembridge Hall School020 7229 0121

SECONDARY SCHOOLSDavid Game College 020 7221 6665Ashbourne Independent School 020 7937 3858Holland Park School 020 7727 5631

RESTAURANTSGeales 020 7727 7528Uxbridge Arms 020 7727 7326The Hillgate Pub 020 7727 8566Clarkes 020 7221 9225Kensington Place 020 7727 3184Churchill Arms 020 7727 4242Malabar 020 7727 8800 PLANNINGPlanning and Conservation 020 7361 3012Parking Permit 020 7361 4381RBK&C Town Hall 020 7361 3000

MEDICALChelsea and Westminster Hospital 020 8746 8000Royal Brompton Hospital 020 7352 8121Cromwell Hospital 020 7460 2000 LIBRARYKensington Central Library 020 7361 3010Notting Hill Gate Library 020 7361 3010 SPORTS CLUBSVirgin Active Kensington 020 7761 0000Heartcore Pilates Studio020 7435 5078 CINEMANotting Hill Gate Cinema 020 7727 6705Coronet Cinema 020 7727 6705

Misrepresentation Act 1967. This brochure and the descriptions and measurements herein do not constitute representation and whilst every e� ort has been made to ensure accuracy, this cannot be guaranteed.

020 7795 428810 Hornton Street London W8 4NWwww.bectivelesliemarsh.co.ukkensington@bectivelesliemarsh.co.uk

Hillgate VillageKENSINGTON W8

Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea

Area Facts

One of the area’s best kept secrets is the Notting Hill Farmers’ Market which has been running for over 12 years. It is quietly tucked away in the car park behind Waterstones just o� Kensington Church Street. It was in Hillgate Village that Richard E. Grant, one of the UK’s most beloved actors, had his fi rst audition for Britain’s most popular cult fi lm and transatlantic underground phenomenon ‘Withnail and I’. Between 1809 and 1811 renown British painter John Linnell (1792 – 1882) lived in Hillgate Village. Linnell completed one of his most well-known works currently at the Tate Museum, Kensington Gravel Pits in 1812 (pictured).

Bective Leslie Marsh Established in 1881, Bective Leslie Marsh has an excellent reputation for selling and letting quality property in Central London. The Kensington O� ce is situated on Hornton Street, a stone’s throw from Hillgate Village and just a few yards from Kensington High Street.

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2012