Holding the prestigious NW8 postcode, St John’s Wood is one of the most exclusive and highly sought-after destinations in Greater London. It’s regularly ranked as one of the most expensive places to live, and is one of the most affluent areas in the country.
Its affluence and exclusivity is in large part because it’s maintained a quiet, suburban feel, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Victorian villas and garden-accompanied mansions provide ample living space in a city that’s generally densely populated, and St John’s Wood Church Grounds offers the only nature reserve in the City of Westminster.
The proximity to luscious green areas like Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill adds to the feeling of tranquility in St John’s Wood, and is another reason why the area attracts professionals, families with children and celebrities alike. Sir Richard Branson and Sir John Major have both lived here, as have a number of musicians like Sir Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and Mark Ronson.
The musical heritage is strong in St John’s Wood, home to the world-famous Abbey Road Recording Studios and the equally iconic zebra crossing that graced the cover of The Beatles’ album Abbey Road. Cricket also has its home here, with a visit to Lord’s Cricket Ground offering an insight into the original global governing body of the sport and a glimpse of the famous Ashes Urn.
In spite of its popularity among the rich and famous, St John’s Wood is renowned for its friendly local atmosphere and cosmopolitan feel. Community organisations and business associations are strong in the area, promoting a wealth of independent shops, bars and eateries, as well as events like the Classic and Super Car Pageant and the Christmas Fayre.
Nearby areas like Camden Market and Little Venice provide ample opportunity for exploration and discovery, whilst Paddington Station provides easy rail access for day trips to the south-west and Heathrow Airport.
Transportation in St John’s Wood
St John’s Wood has its own tube station in Zone 2 of the Jubilee Line, making it easy to reach central London. Oxford Circus and the West End are just 10 minutes away, with Westminster and London Bridge (for access to the City) just 20 minutes on the tube.
Nearby Paddington Station offers a great rail service to the south-west and Heathrow Airport, while Chiltern rail services run from Marylebone Station to Aylesbury, Birmingham and beyond. Euston Station is just a short tube journey away too, and both the M1 and M4 motorways are approximately 20 minutes’ drive.
Things to do in St John’s Wood
As well as all the major London attractions, St John’s Wood has a number of its own sights to explore, places to visit, and community-led events to join in with. From local festivals to international galleries, be sure to check out:
- Abbey Road Studios (and the iconic zebra crossing)
- Lord’s Cricket Ground
- Ben Uri Gallery
- Regent’s Park
- Primrose Hill
- Camden Town
- London Zoo
- Baker Street
- O2 Shopping and Leisure Centre
- Central London Mosque
- The Cockpit Theatre
- Everyman Cinema at Maida Vale
What is St John’s Wood Like?
St John’s Wood is a highly desirable district of North West London in the City of Westminster. Affluent and brimming with culture, St John’s Wood is characterised by its leafy residential streets, whitewashed villas and high street of upmarket delis, boutiques and posh cafes.
This beautiful area of North West London sits 2.5 miles north-west of Charing Cross and just south of Swiss Cottage and Belsize Park. To the west is the scenic area of Maida Vale, with Camden Town to the east.
St John’s Wood has long been a neighbourhood which celebrities, aristocrats, artists, authors, intellectuals, and professionals alike have flocked to, drawn to its bohemian vibe. Some of St John’s Wood’s famous residents, both past and present, include Sir Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Kate Moss and Ewan McGregor.
The area is well-known for its diverse culture with strong Middle Eastern, Jewish and American communities all contributing to the vibrant atmosphere and busy social scene.
There a number of places of worship in the area, including the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, St John’s Wood Church and the London Central Mosque in Regent’s Park.
There is a strong sense of community here and the village-like feel only adds to its appeal for those looking to be away from the hustle and bustle of other areas of the capital. There are bars and restaurants aplenty alongside specialist and designer shops and boutiques.
St John’s Wood is the type of place which you might never want to leave. For young professionals, the bohemian vibe, lively social scene and upmarket high street offer much appeal. With a strong community spirit and excellent schools, this enclave of North West London is also highly desirable for young families.
Transport Links
St John’s Wood has its own underground station which is in Zone 2 on the Jubilee Line. A tube from St John’s Wood will take you to Baker Street in just two minutes and to Bond Street in four minutes. Also, the area is served by the Bakerloo Line which runs through Maida Vale, Kilburn Park and Warwick Avenue.
The nearest overground line is South Hampstead railway station, and overland services run from the nearby stations of Paddington and Marylebone.
St John’s Wood is connected along several local bus routes in all directions, with the 13, 46, 82 (to Victoria), 113, 139 (to Waterloo), 187, 189 and 274 (to Islington) bus routes all running through the district. Two night buses also operate – the N13 and N113.
Schools in the Area
St John’s Wood has strong educational ties with fantastic schools, colleges and universities in the district and nearby areas. Robinsfield Infant School, the primary school Barrow Hill Junior School and secondary school Harris Academy St John’s Wood all have an Ofsted rating of ‘good’.
The area is also home to a number of private education schools including:
- Arnold House
- Abercorn Palace
- St Christina’s School (Primrose Hill)
- St John’s Wood Pre Prep
- Francis Holland
Also, The American School in London and French Lycee offer an alternative to the traditional British education system.
Attractions in St John’s Wood
Reaching central London couldn’t be easier, with a direct tube to Bond Street taking just six minutes. However, St John’s Wood has so much to offer that many of its residents don’t feel much need to venture from their beloved district.
St John’s Wood is within very close proximity of the magnificent Regent’s Park with its 410 acres of green space, stunning 12,000-strong rose garden, array of sporting activities and facilities and marvellous views of central London afforded from the top of Primrose Hill. The world’s oldest scientific zoo, London Zoo, home to over 12,000 animals, is housed in Regent’s Park too.
Often referred to as the ‘home of cricket’, the Lord’s Cricket Ground is also located in St John’s Wood. Lord’s is the home venue for Marylebone Cricket Club and Middlesex Country Cricket Club and regularly hosts international cricket too.
St John’s Wood is famed for being the location of probably the most famous zebra crossing in the world on Abbey Road, where The Beatles strode across whilst recording their eleventh studio album at the iconic Grade II-listed Abbey Road Studios. This legendary studio also encompasses celebrated work by the likes of Pink Floyd, Duran Duran, Radiohead, Oasis, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse and Ed Sheeran.
St John’s Wood Church Grounds is a disused graveyard which became a public park in 1886. This tranquil and scenic green space is the only Local Nature Reserve in the city of Westminster. The popular park has a children’s playground, outdoor table tennis tables, outdoor gym and beautifully maintained gardens.
St John’s Wood library is an excellent space for reading and studying with a fantastic selection of books and also serves as a social hub for the local community. The library hosts two monthly book clubs, with one specifically for crime fiction fans.
Shopping and Dining in St John’s Wood
St John’s Wood boasts a fantastic range of unique shops, independent stores and boutiques as well as more familiar shops. From some of the best designer fashion boutiques in London to high class food retailers and quality delicatessens, St John’s Wood is one of the premier destinations for shopping in London.
St John’s Wood High Street is where you will find most of the activity in this wonderful area of north London. This compact high street has a great mix of restaurants, cafes and bars and a selection of wonderful shopping options.
Panzer’s Delicatessen is London’s original Jewish deli which has been trading for over 75 years. The deli and grocery offers a range of kosher products, fruit and veg, bakery goods, dairy products and essentials. The deli also has an eatery serving wine, beer and light fare.
St John’s Wood has an array of food options to suit every taste. Despite being just a stone’s throw from Soho and the West End, residents don’t need to leave St John’s Wood to enjoy an excellent meal and night out. Oslo Court, which serves French cuisine, and the Persian restaurant, Almas Restaurant, are both highly regarded restaurants in the area. The Italian Morso Abbey Road and the Lebanese restaurant Sahara are very popular options too.
The Duke of York is a warm bar and casual dining area which is popular with the locals, and The Ivy offers modern British cuisine and café-style classics.
History of St John’s Wood
The region to the north-west of central London was originally all part of the Great Middlesex Forest, an ancient wooded area that eventually became a royal forest by the decree of Henry I and Henry II in the 11th century.
It was later divided to make way for roads and agricultural regions, with the area containing present day St John’s Wood passing to an order of the Knights Hospitaller, a medieval Catholic military group. Known as the Order of St John of Jerusalem, it was this ownership that led to the region’s name.
The area wasn’t developed until the 19th century, but when it was, a low-density housing model was adopted, rather than the traditional terraced plan. This meant a focus on many more semi-detached villas and larger mansions with gardens as opposed to terraced housing, and led to a more spacious, highly desirable region known as London’s first suburb.
Despite bomb damage during World War II and infrastructure changes, today St John’s Wood still retains its leafy suburban feel, with much of the region an English Heritage Conservation Area boasting period charm and protected architecture.