St John’s Wood is one of the UK’s most desirable places to live and visit. A stone’s throw from Central London, it’s home to film stars, award-winning musicians, and high-net-worth individuals who crave a village aesthetic close to the big city.
In this article, we’ll explore life in St John’s Wood by considering key aspects like education, things to do, the cost of living, and more. By detailing the pros and cons of the neighbourhood, we’ll help you decide whether a permanent move is right for you.
What is it Like to Live in St John’s Wood?
Living in St John’s Wood is popular for many reasons. First, it’s close to the centre of London without the hustle and bustle, which makes it appealing to people who work in the city but don’t want to live there.
It’s also a safe area compared to most London boroughs, and residents enjoy a wide range of comforts such as cafes, restaurants, and independent and international fashion retailers, all on their doorstep. It also boasts great amenities, fantastic transport links, Edwardian and Victorian architecture, and tree-laden streets, making it somewhat of a hidden gem, even to most Londoners.
The detached homes and leafy streets are a rare commodity in the city, and the area was designated a Conservation Area in the 1960s with the houses listed by English Heritage. Because of this, St John’s Wood Society has and continues to promote high architectural standards, with attention given to its beauty, history, and character.
The St John’s Wood of today is a quiet, quaint, high-end neighbourhood with a family atmosphere that applies to every aspect of life.
Employment Opportunities
St John’s Wood is highly exclusive and home to celebrities like Ewan McGregor, Keith Richards, and Sir Paul McCartney. Residents who aren’t rich, famous, or retired will probably work in the centre of London, with the most prominent professions in high-paying roles such as finance and banking.
Employment opportunities are limited in the area, but with such close links to the rest of London, this isn’t an issue for most people living there.
Primary and Secondary Schools in St John’s Wood
Young families will love living in St John’s Wood thanks to five state primary schools – Barrow Hill Junior School, Gateway Academy, George Eliot Primary School, and Robinsfield Infant School. All are rated as “Good” or “Outstanding” by Ofsted.
The prominent secondary schools are the Harris Academy, St George’s RC, St Augustine’s CofE, and Paddington Academy and all of them are rated by Ofsted as “Outstanding”. The UCL Academy, another secondary school, is classed as “Good”. These are the top two grades available from Ofsted which exemplifies the quality of the schooling in the area.
Private, Further, and Higher Education
There are 10 private primary and preparatory schools in St John’s Wood. Arnold House is the most well-known of them all and with junior and secondary school provisions, gets children ready for the public school system.
Abercorn School is an independent, private school for pupils between two and 16 years old with two premises within walking distance of Marylebone Station. It offers specialist subjects like yoga, music, and French from the age of 2 as well as extracurricular activities like taekwondo, gymnastics, netball, and computer coding.
The local sixth form is United Colleges Group and even though there are no universities in St John’s Wood, Regent’s University London, the University of Westminster, and Mayur University are all nearby, with the University of London and the Commonwealth University slightly further out.
Transport Links
St John’s Wood is a small town so it’s easily walkable for day-to-day errands. If you want to speed things up, public transport is also impeccable with bus routes like the no 139 going to Waterloo via Oxford Circus and the no 180 heading to Marble Arch via Baker Street.
St John’s Wood underground tube station is in Zone 2 on the Jubilee line and takes commuters to Bond Street in five minutes. South Hampstead station is also nearby on the well-connected overground line.
In addition to the bus and tube, St John’s Wood residents are within walking and cycling distance of the West End, making it highly accessible for a trip into the city. There’s also an abundance of local taxis and Ubers that’ll get you where you need to go in the wider London area.
Attractions in St John’s Wood
When it comes to St John’s Wood attractions, the first thing that comes to everybody’s mind is Abbey Road’s famed pedestrian crossing. Used for one of the most legendary album cover designs in music, Abbey Road by The Beatles, this humble pedestrian crossing is a globally recognised tourist hotspot.
Abbey Road Studios is in St John’s Wood, too, and musical giants like The Beatles, Amy Winehouse, Kanye West, Oasis, and Adele have recorded some of their biggest albums there.
Lord’s Cricket Ground, aka The Home of Cricket, is located in St John’s Wood and has been since 1814. Probably the most famous cricket ground on the planet, Lord’s also boasts the world’s oldest sporting museum, a Grade II* listed pavilion building, incredible gardens, and a library that hosts two book clubs. A mainstay of the town, tourists and residents can take tours of Lord’s and catch regular test and international cricket games.
For something more relaxed, Regent’s Canal is a secluded area of natural beauty nestled in St John’s Wood that has a nine-mile walk from Little Venice to the River Thames. Visitors to the canal are often shocked by how peaceful it is given the proximity to the centre of London, and it’s one of Britain’s best-kept natural secrets.
Living in St John’s Wood means you’re also a short trip from the high-end Oxford Street shops and ten minutes from London Zoo, Madame Tussauds, and many other tourist attractions Central London has to offer.
Property in St John’s Wood
St John’s Wood is known for its mix of grand Victorian and Edwardian houses, charming period conversions, and modern luxury apartments. Here is some more information about property prices in St John’s Wood.
Average Property Prices
As of June 2024, the average property price over the last 12 months in St John’s Wood is £922,875.
The average property price over the last 12 months by property type is as follows:
- Detached: £7,911,774
- Semi-detached: £6,618,949
- Terraced: £2,068,921
- Flat/apartment: £757,059
Explore our properties for sale in St John’s Wood.
Average Rental Prices
As of June 2024, the average monthly rental price over the last 12 months in St John’s Wood is £2,603.
The average monthly rental price over the last 12 months by property type is as follows:
- Detached: £8,848
- Semi-detached: £8,362
- Terraced: £4,323
- Flat: £2,480
Explore our properties to rent in St John’s Wood.
Eating and Drinking in St John’s Wood
St John’s Wood High Street has lots of excellent cafes, bars, and restaurants. Let’s start with the food.
Where to Eat in St John’s Wood
Cinder has a daily menu that changes with the seasons and the owners emphasise opulence and sharing dishes. Servers are on hand to guide you through the best choices, too, and a trip to Cinders is a memorable, high-end dining experience.
England’s Grace, next, where you’ll find Australian brunch classics, lunchtime specials, and freshly baked sweet treats and coffee. At night, it delivers an elevated culinary experience, fusing Antipodean-inspired cuisine with modern European dishes.
Gail’s Bakery was founded in the 90s by Gail Mejia, this St John’s Wood staple brought together London’s best bakers to serve top chefs. Today, they offer fresh bread, pastries, cakes, and house-blended specialty coffee. Committed to sustainability, they use local ingredients and minimize food waste.
The food scene in St John’s Wood is growing and we could devote a lot more time to this side of the neighbourhood. So, honourable mentions go to Maido Sushi, Leonidas Chocolate Shop, Laurents, and the most famous on the list – The Ivy, which as well as being an extravagant hotel, provides fantastic food to the residents and visitors of St John’s Wood.
Places to Drink in St John’s Wood
For drinks, The Duke of York is popular for its banquette seats, Venetian blinds, and pavement tables. Constructed in the 19th century, it serves eclectic beer ranges and brilliant pub grub if you’re peckish.
Maroush St John’s Wood offers cocktails and modern Lebanese food in a Victorian pub setting. Luxury adorns the interior from marble floors to chandeliers and a beautiful terrace, making it a firm favourite for visitors and residents.
St John’s Tavern tops off the pubs in St John’s Wood, with a British menu serving locally sourced food and an old-school pub. They also have lots of great beers and lagers on tap in a quintessentially British pub atmosphere.
Shopping in St John’s Wood
St John’s Wood has another Lords, which is a houseware shop in the heart of St John’s Wood. Owned by two North London sisters, Lords offers stylish and useful houseware with a focus on quality and sustainability.
Tara Jarmon is a great place to find women’s clothing in St John’s Wood, from dresses to skirts, tops, shirts, and accessories. Then there’s Reiss which was established in 1971 and provides contemporary men’s and women’s clothing, with luxury, accessible collections offering a distinctive and sophisticated finish.
Away from clothing next to St John’s Woods Collectables, which features the weird and wonderful world of collectable items. From Beatles records to ornaments of the Fab Four’s heads, this record shop/Beatles shrine is great for fans of one of the biggest bands the country has ever produced.
Sport and Leisure
For gym lovers, 1Rebel St John’s Wood is a popular, upmarket fitness centre with four high-intensity workout classes across 10 studios. The focus here is on fitness with incredible trainers, strong music, and world-class facilities, while Fit With Me is a more intimate gym with personal trainers, located at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The closest council-owned swimming pool in the area is The Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, which is on Winchester Road.
To wind down, you can opt for Everyman Cinema, Maida Vale, which is a comfortable, premium movie theatre featuring couched seating, pizza, and beer. There’s also the Odean Luxe on Finchley Road and Hampstead Theatre is the closest theatre in the area.
Cost of Living in St John’s Wood
St John’s Wood is the fifth most expensive postcode in London and as a quaint town nestled in the bustling city centre, it’s hardly a surprise. Let’s explore some of the most significant costs of living in this highly prestigious neighbourhood.
Other St John’s Wood Expenses
St John’s Wood is in Zone 2 of the London Tube Network and an annual travel card from Zone 2 to Zone 1 costs £1,404. This card is popular with professionals living in St John’s Wood as they tend to work in the city centre.
Most of St John’s Wood is in the Westminster council area, which is Band D council tax and £973.16 per year in 2024.
Green Spaces and Surrounding Countryside in and Around St John’s Wood
Such a picturesque place isn’t short of tree-lined residential streets and there are plentiful green spaces to enjoy if you live in this beautiful area.
The Regent’s Park is the green jewel in the crown of St John’s Wood and is home to over 120 bird species annually. It also includes London’s only breeding population of hedgehogs and has over 5,000 tree varieties, wild meadowed areas, and historic grasslands full of wildlife.
St John’s Wood Church Grounds is a little-known but historic park that can be found opposite Lord’s Cricket Ground. Open to the public since 1886, the vast space is a great alternative to neighbouring The Regent’s Park, with lots of large trees providing shade on warm summer days. There’s also an outside gym and children’s playground for families to make the most of.
Being so close to the centre of London, you’ll struggle to find many open countryside spaces in the area, although Hyde Park is just a short drive away. The streets of St John’s Wood are also full of natural beauty and there are lots of trees, beautifully kept hedges, and small parks that give this neighbourhood a quintessentially British village feel.
Other Areas to Consider
If St John’s Wood is out of your price range, or not to your taste, there are multiple alternatives nearby.
Notting Hill, for example, has a vibrant, eclectic atmosphere and a faster pace, which is somewhat lacking in St John’s Wood. Host to one of the most famous romcoms ever made, Notting Hill is a charming, trendy neighbourhood with bustling markets, colourful townhouses, and more. This makes it a better fit for young professionals rather than families, but it’s still an expensive place to live.
Hampstead is similarly green to St John’s Wood but has a more bohemian vibe than that of the rich and famous. It’s harder to get into central London from Hampstead, however, which is worth considering. For more information about Hampstead, read our article on living in Hampstead.
Pros and Cons of Living in St John’s Wood
St John’s Wood is idyllic but not for everyone, so it’s worth considering your lifestyle preferences and perhaps most importantly, your budget.
Pros
Connectivity
Proximity to the centre of London means you can enjoy everything the capital has to offer. You can also enjoy access to the rest of the UK via the British train and bus networks, and with multiple airports dotted around the city, you can explore the rest of the world from St John’s Wood.
Unique architecture
Architecture is one of the biggest draws of St John’s Wood and the unique housing is something you won’t find elsewhere in Central London.
Strong Community
The locals are diverse and have pride in the area which means a strong community spirit in St John’s Wood. This is great for families and residents looking to assimilate over the long term.
World-famous Landmarks
From Abbey Road to Lord’s and the most popular attractions London has to offer, St John’s Wood allows easy access to some of the biggest landmarks in Europe.
Green Locations
Greenery isn’t hard to come by in St John’s Wood thanks to access to some of London’s greatest green spaces. You’ll also benefit from leafy suburb streets if you choose St John’s Wood as your home.
Brilliant Schools
The education system in St John’s Wood is up there with the best in the country, which means you can set your family up for future success if you live in the area.
Cons
Cost of Living
Such a premium location comes with a premium price tag, so only high earners can afford to live in St John’s Wood. That’s why you’ll find so many celebrities and high-net-worth residents.
Competitive Real Estate Market
St John’s Wood is incredibly sought-after and as a result, the real estate market is extremely competitive. It can be hard to find any kind of accommodation because of this, which makes it difficult to get a foot onto the property ladder or to rent.
Limited Nightlife
The family atmosphere of St John’s Wood extends to the nightlife and apart from some pubs and restaurants, you’ll be limited if you’re into late nights. So, if you love a nightclub or something more exhilarating in the evenings, St John’s Wood might not be the best fit for you.
Are You Thinking About Moving to St John’s Wood?
Living in St John’s Wood is the dream of many. Offering the chance to enjoy a quaint, village lifestyle with uniquely beautiful properties whilst being next to the centre of London, it’s not hard to see why so many people dream of living here.
However, with a competitive real estate market and expensive rental and house-buying conditions, it can be hard to call St John’s Wood your home without expert guidance.
At Chancellors, we have years of experience finding fantastic properties to buy and rent in St John’s Wood and other surrounding areas. For advice regarding a move to this prestigious area, please get in touch with our St John’s Wood estate agents.
