The fashionable district of Chelsea, located along the River Thames, in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, is one of the most affluent areas in London, and home to some of the capital’s popular attractions.
Chelsea incorporates, Sloane Street and the King’s Road. To the north, Chelsea meets Knightsbridge and South Kensington, and runs as far northwest as Fulham Road.
The area consists of two main postcodes - SW3 and SW10 - along with a small section of SW1 and SW7.
Situated close to Belgravia, Chelsea is a chic place to shop, with the curved façade of Peter Jones department store on Sloane Square marking the beginning of the King's Road, the heart of the area and home to an abundance of high-end fashion stores, smaller independent clothes and shoe shops, plus a wide selection of contemporary furnishing stores and antique shops.
Chelsea’s trendy cafes, bars and restaurants, which appeal to all ages, are also popular attractions. The region’s stylish image and excellent geographical location makes it one of the most expensive places in London.
Chelsea offers a wide choice of beautiful townhouses and mansion flats, while there are many riverside flats and houses along the Thames. Chelsea is considered to be a prime residential area in London.
Arguably, the most exclusive and expensive place to buy and rent property in Chelsea is around Sloane Square and Knightsbridge tube stations, where SW3 and SW1 meet. A high volume of overseas nationals buy property in this part of town, with many freeholds owned by Earl Cadogan, whose family is ranked 14th in the Sunday Times Rich List.
The Old Etonian, who owns 90 acres of property in up market areas of West London including Sloane Square, Knightsbridge and Chelsea, traditionally only issues short leaseholds, but they are usually extendable for a fee under the terms of the Leasehold Reform, Housing & Urban Development Act.
Property in Chelsea is highly sought after, thanks to its central location and excellent transport links. A diverse range of people buy and rent houses and apartments in Chelsea, from young single people and couples to families who are attracted to some of the excellent schools in and around the area.
Whether you are seeking to buy or rent a home in Chelsea, contact one of John D Wood’s highly experience sales and letting agents in Chelsea. We have a wide range of properties in Chelsea available.
Chelsea has excellent public transport links, making it the easiest and cheapest way to travel around.
Nearby tube stations are Sloane Square, served by the Circle and District lines, and South Kensington, served by the Circle, District and Piccadilly lines, both in Zone 1.
Most people living in SW10 tend to use Earls Court (Zone 1 & 2), served by the district and Picadilly lines, or Fulham Broadway (Zone 2) tube stations, which is served by the District line.
There are a number of bus routes through Chelsea. Take a look at Transport for London's Kensington & Chelsea bus route maps for further information.
Chelsea is host to some of London’s biggest events and museums. The vast range of striking visitor attractions include, the Duke of York pedestrian precinct and the Saatchi art gallery, Chelsea Harbour, the National Army Museum, along with nearby Victoria and Albert Museum, has ensured that the neighbourhood is also fashionable with tourists visiting London. As a consequence, a good mix of locals and tourists are prevalent in everyday life in Chelsea.
The area also plays host to the horticultural event of the year, the annual Chelsea Flower Show, which takes place in summer at the Royal Hospital, home of the Chelsea Pensioners, and attracts visitors from around the world.
Chelsea became a fashionable place to live for wealthy people in the 16th and 17th centuries. By the early 18th century Chelsea, which at this stage had a population of around 1,500 people, was flourishing and it was during this era that the Kings Road, a private road running to the royal palace at Hampton Court, got its name.
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea was formed with the creation of Greater London in 1965. Previously – 1900 to 1965 – Chelsea formed the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea in the County of London.
Popularly renowned for drawing in the hippy or rock’n’roll crowds, this was a cool hotspot for musicians such as Bob Marley and members of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who owned homes in the neighbourhood. Chelsea was the epicentre of London’s swinging sixties.
This area also once had a reputation as London's bohemian quarter, attracting artists, radicals, and poets, and was the home of Oscar Wilde and Sir Thomas More. Today, many affluent people continue to live in Chelsea, including a number of celebrities.
The annual rate of council tax varies and is dependant on the valuation band, which is determined by the value of the property and the current rates for the local council. Chelsea is represented by Kensington and Chelsea Council: www.rbkc.gov.uk
| Band | 2012 | 2013 | rise/fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £717.15 | £714.43 | -0.38 % |
| Band B | £836.67 | £833.51 | -0.38 % |
| Band C | £956.2 | £952.57 | -0.38 % |
| Band D | £1075.72 | £1071.65 | -0.38 % |
| Band E | £1314.77 | £1309.79 | -0.38 % |
| Band F | £1553.82 | £1547.94 | -0.38 % |
| Band G | £1792.87 | £1786.08 | -0.38 % |
| Band H | £2151.44 | £2143.3 | -0.38 % |
The nearest local hospital is Chelsea & Westminster on Fulham Road, SW10, which has an Accident & Emergency department.
Director:
A A Buchanan
t: +44 (0) 20 7352 1484
