It’s the age-old debate: what’s the best place to live in London? The Sunday Times has added its voice to the mix.
Whether from the north, south, east or west, Londoners will proudly fight their corner, defending their local pub, value for money in their area and overall lifestyle. The Sunday Times has weighed in on the debate.
The newspaper has published its list of the 72 best places to live across the UK for 2024, including seven London neighbourhoods and an overall London winner. Taking home the title of best place to live in London for 2024 is Clerkenwell.
Speaking about the area, The Times said: "From a rich past of riot and ribaldry to its present status at the heart of the capital’s culinary and creative scenes, Clerkenwell embodies all that’s best about life in London."
To ensure they were thorough in their search for the very best places to live, the judges travelled to each and every location on this year's list and spoke to locals personally. Areas were ranked based on stuff like schools, transport, access to nature, the health of their high street and their community feel.
Clerkenwell has a truly distinctive character. This vibrant neighbourhood is Islington's oldest residential and business district, which at one time was an integral part of London’s industrial heartland. Today, the area is a favourite of the young professional crowd – old warehouses have been converted into smart apartment buildings, offices that house creative agencies, as well as pubs and nightclubs giving it in an elevated Shoreditch vibe. However, the area still retains much of its historic character with its old buildings, cobbled streets and historic pubs. It also has plenty of star quality, as you can spot its picturesque sights in blockbusters such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Paddington 2 and Christopher Nolan's Batman films.
Location
One of the best things about Clerkenwell is its convenient location. Impossibly close to all the action, Clerkenwell still feels like a village away from the city. From here, all areas of central London – West End, City, East End and the Thames are walkable. If you don’t feel like walking, simply hop on the Central line to the south, the Northern line to the east, Piccadilly line to the west, and the Metropolitan and Circle lines through the middle.
Things to do
Many creative types live and work in Clerkenwell, which is no surprise given the abundance of cultural activities in the area. Living in Clerkenwell, you can benefit from proximity to attractions such as the Barbican Centre, Sadler's Wells Theatre, and the Almeida Theatre. History lovers can enjoy nearby niche museums such as the Postal Museum which houses archive and museum collections of Royal Mail, which contain records dating from 1636. There's also the Charles Dickens Museum where you can discover the beloved author’s life through displays of his personal belongings, paintings and his writing.
Food and drink
In 2005 Mark Bittman of The New York Times wrote that Clerkenwell has ‘some of the best restaurants in London,’ and given the pedigree of restaurants in the area, this still holds true. A bona fide foodie haven, Clerkenwell is full of cosy gastropubs including Britain's first ever gastropub The Eagle, exquisite Michelin starred restaurants such as Club Gascon and Luca, and there's also the Exmouth Market which has a twice-weekly street-food market. Clerkenwell is also known for its great assortment of pubs such as the 300-year old Holy Tavern and The Green.
Houses
Clerkenwell has a variety of homes to cater to every preference. There are beautiful Georgian and Victorian terraced and town houses that can be found in places such as Amwell Street, Exmouth Market and Whitecross Street. You can also find stylish converted warehouse apartments, ex-council flats, and post-second World War homes that can be found in spots such as Spa Green and Golden Lane.
If you’re thinking of making the move to this trendy, urban locale with plenty of historical appeal, here are some great homes that just might take your fancy.
Yardley Street, WC1X
A unique and outstanding Grade II Listed Georgian town house close to Exmouth Market. This interior designed property, set over four floors, has been meticulously and tastefully refurbished to a high standard.
Farringdon Road, EC1M
An exceptional two-bedroom flat set within a late Victorian building on Farringdon Road.
