Auction House London’s Area Guide to Kew
Auction House London’s Area Guide to Kew
Auction House London has several interesting properties listed for auction throughout the City and surrounding areas. Our property auction experts are knowledgeable about the different areas of London, such as Kew, and are sharing a series of London area guides to help investors make more informed decisions.
This latest addition to the Auction House London series focuses on Kew within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, a rapidly evolving area known for its prosperous suburban attributes, attractions and historical significance. Kew often has interesting opportunities for investors seeking residential or mixed-use investments.
Where is Kew?
Kew is in the southwest of Greater London. It is bordered by Ealing and Acton to the north, Brentford to the west and Hammersmith and Fulham to the east, with Richmond and the famous Richmond Park lying due south. The River Thames runs through and plays a significant role in the architectural designs of many properties built by the banks.
Rail services in Kew include the District Line from Kew Gardens station, with services to Richmond and Central London. There is also a London Overground running through Kew from Richmond to Stratford. There are bus services serving Kew, plus travellers can also use the river bus services that run from Kew Pier down to Richmond, as well as to Westminster Millennium Pier and Hampton Court.
The history of Kew
The name of Kew purportedly derives from two old words, from Old French meaning ‘quay’ or ‘landing space’, and one from Old English meaning ‘spur of land’. Combined the word would have sounded something like ‘Kayho’, which over time evolved into Kew.
Kew has some very old historical significance, with Julius Caesar thought to have forded the Thames at Kew way back in 54 BC. Many monarchs throughout history were connected to the area, while significant numbers of French refugees settled in the area during the French Revolution. Most of Kew’s modern development began in the latter half of the 19th century, with further significant development in the 1920s and 1930s. The beginning of the 21st century saw a lot more river-fronting flats and houses being built along the riverside, further emphasising the affluent nature of the area.
What does the architecture and property market look like in Kew?
Kew is a prosperous area and features a lot of expensive properties, including many riverside buildings and river-facing residential properties. As well as residential buildings, Kew is also home to the World Heritage site Kew Gardens, as well as Kew Palace and the National Archives.
The architecture includes impressive standalone properties, there are also plenty of well-designed apartment blocks with flats available for sale, such as this second floor three bedroom flat a short walk away from Kew Bridge. The same building also has this third floor two bedroom flat available too. There are also opportunities in the surrounding areas, such as this first floor studio flat in nearby Hammersmith.
What are the amenities like in Kew?
Kew features a lot of excellent amenities that cater to the needs of the residents and visitors. There are high street-style stores and independent shops, plus local supermarkets for general grocery shopping.
Both Kew Gardens and Kew Palace are cultural attractions, so the area receives plenty of visitors from outside Kew, but there are also bars and restaurants for locals to enjoy too.
Open spaces in Kew
Kew boasts a lot of parks and open spaces to enjoy, including Kew Green which is used for cricket matches during the summer, and North Sheen Recreation Ground. Pensford Field is a nature reserve, while Kew Pond is another conservation area thought to originate in the 11th century.
Young children can enjoy St Luke’s Open Space, while Westerly Ware near Kew Bridge was originally created as a memorial garden to victims of the First World War, and features tennis courts as well as a general grassy area and a children’s playground.
What are the schools like in Kew?
There are several primary schools and independent preparatory schools in and around Kew, including the Darell Primary and Nursery School, Kew Riverside Primary School and the King’s Church of England Primary School.
The prep schools include Broomfield House School, Kew College Prep and Kew Green Preparatory School. The Unicorn School opposite Kew Gardens is a co-educational independent prep school, and unique in that it is parent-owned.
Auction House London prides itself on having local knowledge about diverse areas of the capital. If you have questions about Kew or any other London area or suburb, please contact our team of property auction professionals. If you are looking to buy property in London at an auction, browse through the lots listed in our forthcoming auction. Or, if you have a property you want to sell in London or the surrounding areas, why not see how much it could be worth in an auction with a free valuation by Auction House London.