The Clooper Guide To Fitzrovia
Fitzrovia is a swanky city district that sits only one mile away from the famous Trafalgar Square!
Many consider Fitzrovia to be simply a residential district, though this is far from the truth. This neighbourhood sports a multitude of homes for sure, though there are also various retail businesses, quality restaurants, and even art galleries to be found.
PROPERTIES AND PRICES
TO BUY: Fitzrovia is a highly coveted neighbourhood. This is reflected in the prices, both to buy and to rent. With this being said, it’s definitely not the most expensive area in Central London. Especially when you consider how close it is to Oxford Street! Single-bedroom apartments usually begin around the £450,000 mark and quickly climb from here into the millions.
TO RENT: Renting in Fitzrovia is fairly common as the area is very popular with young people and families. However, flatshares and spare rooms are not as common. You’re more likely to find studio apartments and multiple-bedroom flats in this slice of London. Rent per month usually starts at around £1,500pcm for spacious studios and single-bedroom flats. It can rise to well above the £12,000 per month mark depending on nearby amenities, the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and the like.
TO STAY: Typically, luxury serviced apartments in Fitzrovia and the surrounding area start at around £100 per night. You can browse through some of our available properties here.
GREEN SPACES
Fitzrovia’s location means that it’s difficult to find large stretches of green in the immediate area. Though this isn’t necessarily a deterrent! You can still find smaller slices of leafy tranquillity, such as in Alfred Place Gardens. This park isn’t the largest, though it is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Its neat, winding paths are pleasant to wander through, and park benches are dotted alongside them, so you’ll be able to rest. Not only this, there’s a tiny, innovative play park for the little ones to play in. Alfred Place Gardens is very open. Meaning, it’s a fantastic spot to soak up a little rare sunshine in the often grey city of London!
Fitzroy Square Garden is a little more exclusive. It’s open to the public from May to September between noon & three pm; it’s closed all other times. The times when you can experience it will surely be pleasant, though, so don’t be discouraged! Locals boast that you can snag a fantastic spot to watch the sunset in these gardens. It’s also encircled by smashing fish and chip shops and a good ol’ Tesco Express, making it a prime picnic location.
Last but not least, is Regents Park. Technically The Regents Park, The Royal Parks manage this area and it’s notably well kept because of it. It’s also fairly well known. Additionally, walking from Fitzrovia to Regents Park only takes around 12–14 minutes, depending on your pace! Visitors adore its sprawling fields, exquisite gardens, playgrounds, cafes and food stands and so much more. There’s even an open air theatre, sports fields, a zoo and the whole place creates a vibrant atmosphere that is truly unmissable. Regents Park is worth a visit wherever you’re staying in London. Luckily from Fitzrovia, you don’t have to go far at all.
THINGS TO DO
Not only does Fitzrovia have its fair share of lovely properties, there are a multitude of local points of interest and even historical landmarks to explore. Whether you’re a clubber, an art lover or a mix of that and more: here’s what’s in store for you in and around this neighbourhood.
- The Cartoon Museum is one of many zany museums in London. Here, you’ll find numerous pieces of original cartoon and comic art by mainly British artists, with some dating all the way back to the 1750s.
- All Saints Margaret Street is a beautiful church near the heart of London. It’s been standing tall for 160 years and is truly a spectacle to behold, along with being a beloved place of community and prayer.
- Fitzrovia Chapel was once the chapel of the Middlesex Hospital; now, it’s been wonderfully preserved and exists to be marvelled at and experienced in various different ways. You can even get married here!
- Not only is the Woolff Gallery chock full of intriguing contemporary art, the staff are noted to go above and beyond. Helpful, bubbly, polite and genuinely happy to share art that they too enjoy. You’ll spot statues and sculptures galore, though mixed media exhibitions are often also hosted here.
- Fitzrovia has more than its fair share of delectable eateries and places to dine. For a Taiwanese experience, try BAO Fitzrovia; for something a little more French Cuisine why not check out The Ninth? Caravan Fitzrovia is a standout for its brilliant staff and its chorizo hash! We’d recommend booking in advance though, this place is popular and seats go fast.
AMENITIES
Fitzrovia is nestled right between Bloomsbury and Marlyebone, not too far from Soho and Brick Lane either. With this in mind, it’s really no trouble getting out and finding whatever you need: gyms to supermarkets to bars to bookshops! Alongside this, Oxford Street is quite literally minutes away. Here, you’ll find Urban Outfitters, Matalan, Flying Tiger, Disney Store, a VANS store and many, many more. Oxford Street additionally has its own selection of quality eateries and cafes.
You won’t be able to walk a few feet from your apartment before you hit a Starbucks or a Sainsburys. Fitzrovia is certainly city living at some of its finest. Even if you’re only visiting, you can spot all we’ve mentioned and bonus gems such as the Grant Museum of Zoology, Pollocks Toy Museum and even a multitude of historical statues! As for gyms and sports venues, there are various Virgin Actives and Fitness Labs scattered around Fitzrovia. There’s even an Oxford Street gym: The Gym Group, as well as the odd leafy spot to go for a jog or speed-walk through now and then.
TRAVEL
Fitzrovia is connected by the Overground, Southeastern and the Thameslink lines. It’s easily accessible by Goodge Street Station, Tottenham Court Road or Euston Square; tube lines include the Central, Hammersmith & City, Northern and now Victoria lines. To get to London Liverpool Street is only 15 minutes away.
If you prefer a bus: the 188, 453, 98, 94, 29, 24 and 7 buses service this area. These will take you anywhere from North Greenwich Station to Peckham. As Fitzrovia is quite centrally located, most choose to use public transport or ride via bike to their destinations. It’s also incredibly walkable.
EDUCATION
Due to Fitzrovia’s extraordinary placement in London, not only does it come with its own educational opportunities, but it’s also easy to live here and commute elsewhere. Whether you’re a uni student or a family looking to settle down their children, here are some of the best recommendations for schools and colleges around this district.
- All Souls C of E Primary School
- Southbank International School Westminster
- St Josephs RC Primary School
- William Tyndale Primary School
- City of London School
- Queens Gate School
Looking for somewhere outside of London itself? See our Bristol City area guide here
Featured image: Unsplash/Flavius-Calin
