We have lived in Kensal Rise for about six years. We moved here from Notting Hill when we had kids and needed more space and a garden. It felt like a big migration — lots of our friends moved this way, too.
We absolutely love it. There’s a very sociable village-y vibe around here. It’s having a real resurgence with lots of lovely things opening there.
Eating and drinking
There are some great spots. There’s a new Mexican restaurant called Chingón on Chamberlayne Road, with tacos and Margaritas.
A new branch of Morty & Bob’s has opened on College Road. It’s a nice all-day dining brasserie that has been good for meeting up with friends with kids. It’s very buzzy.
One of our new favourites is MÄs Pies and Wine on Harrow Road. It’s a traditional pie shop run by three young guys with very cool, modern branding. They’ve done it beautifully, keeping all the original design and tiles with lots of stainless steel. They sell some nice organic wines. It’s a cool spot.
There’s a Persian restaurant called Behesht, also on Harrow Road, which is very authentic — and it’s just on our doorstep. There’s also a café called Vicki’s on Kilburn Lane, which probably does the best peanut butter flapjack you’ll ever eat in your life. I’m not sure if I should tell everyone about it.
Where I work out
There’s a great reformer Pilates studio called Absolute Studios, which opened about a year ago on College Road.
Other than that, I love spinning — I’ve been doing classes at Jaego’s House on Harrow Road. You can put your kids in the crèche and go spinning, which is amazing.
To commune with nature
We spend a lot of time in Queen’s Park, which is close by. Although it sounds a bit macabre, Kensal Green Cemetery is huge and a beautiful, calm space. It’s quiet, and nature has very much taken over.
We’re also close to Regent’s Canal, so we go for walks along there, too.
Grocery shopping
Queen’s Park has an amazing farmers’ market every Sunday, so we always go to that. We try to do as much shopping as possible in the local delis. We’ve got two amazing Italian ones, L’Angolo and Sonora, both on College Road.
There’s also Kensal’s Green Grocery on College Road, run by a lovely guy who always has fresh fruit and veg outside.
For a culture fix
I’m into interiors. Very excitingly for us, we live close to Retrouvius on Harrow Road, which is an amazing place for vintage and antique homewares. It’s a complete Aladdin’s cave in there. We’re also close to Habibi Interiors, which has handmade Moroccan tiles.
Sean Berg 20th Century Design on Station Terrace is like a little house where the big glass windows of the front room are used as a kind of showroom. You have to message if you want anything. It’s a beautifully curated space with lovely mid-century pieces. Every time I walk past, I have a look to see what is for sale.
The Lexi, on Chamberlayne Road, is an amazing indie cinema run solely by volunteers. All the proceeds go to charity and they screen all kinds of things — big releases, indie films and opera.
Kensal Rise Library on Bathurst Gardens is cool. I found out recently that it was opened by Mark Twain in 1900, which is incredible. It went into disrepair and was reopened recently by the community. It’s also volunteer-run. They do lots of kids’ classes and you can do children’s birthday parties there. It’s a lovely community space.
Getting around
Public transport round here is brilliant. I drive, but I use public transport a lot, too. From almost outside our house, we can get the number 18 bus to Euston, which is great for going to Marylebone High Street and Regent’s Park.
The Bakerloo line from Kensal Green is amazing — you can be in Piccadilly Circus in 20 minutes. There’s also the Overground from Kensal Rise, which will take you into east London in no time at all.
Dream street
Waldo Road is not the prettiest street but there are some very cool warehouses and spaces there that are crying out for redevelopment if you wanted to do something a little bit different.
Something you only see in Kensal Rise
It’s an amazing annexe for Notting Hill Carnival. You can dip in and out easily — you can go into the madness and come back for a time out.
What’s the catch?
The traffic. There’s a new development on Scrubs Lane, which is a good thing, but it’s making the traffic terrible. It’s the same driving in from Notting Hill on Harrow Road and Chamberlayne Road. There’s always traffic there.
In three words
Friendly. Villagey. Potholey.
Natalie Sytner runs Bettina Ceramica, a collection of handcrafted ceramics from independent artists, makers and factories across Italy.
Schools
There are 20 primary schools rated good or outstanding in the local area, including Manor School, a special school, Ark Brunel Primary and Kenmont Primary School.
Queens Park Community School, Capital City Academy and Ark Burlington Danes Academy are three of six local secondary schools rated good.
What it costs
Buying in Kensal Rise
Average flat price: £582,140
Average house price: £1,062,160
Renting in Kensal Rise
Average flat price, pcm: £2,000
Average house price, pcm: £3,600
