Perhaps most famous for its BBC recording studio, Maida Vale, an almost wholly residential district, lies to the west of Marylebone and St. John’s Wood. The southern part of Maida Vale around Paddington Basin, a junction of two canals, is known as Little Venice. The canals and their colourful houseboats have made the area hugely attractive to buyers.

 

Architectural highlights

Largely undamaged by the Blitz, most of the properties here date from the 1840s and 1850s. White stucco-fronted villas situated around well-tended communal gardens, wide avenues, large terraced houses and mansion flats – some with large shared gardens behind – are all characteristic of the area.

 

Smartest streets

Blomfield Road and Maida Avenue homes are made more attractive (not to mention more expensive) by their proximity to the willow-lined canal, which runs between the two.

 

Who’s there

Drawn by the appeal of waterside living, Maida Vale has had its fair share of celebrity residents. Most recently, Paul Weller, Jarvis Cocker and Jennifer Saunders have all lived in the area.

 

Entertainment

Smart shops line Maida Vale side streets and the famous Portobello Road market is nearby with a wealth of antiques, memorabilia and other collectables. There are a number of good restaurants, and nearby Westbourne Grove and Notting Hill give residents even more options where going out is concerned.

 

Education

Essedine Primary School and Naima Jewish Preparatory School are just two of the excellent schools in this area.

 

Travel

Just moments from central London, Maida Vale is served by its own Bakerloo Line Underground station, and a number of useful bus routes. Paddington Station is close by, offering overground services to the west.

 

Trivia

General John Stuart, commander of the British forces, was ennobled Count of Maida after an impressive military campaign against the French in 1806. Three years later, a tavern on Edgware Road was named the Hero of Maida Tavern, and by 1810 maps designated the area surrounding the Tavern as Maida.

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