Chepstow Place, London W2

This elegant early Victorian stucco-fronted townhouse is positioned on Chepstow Place, a wide, tree-lined road in Notting Hill, close to the ever-desirable Westbourne Grove and Portobello Road. Built in 1850, it lies within the Pembridge Conservation Area and has five bedrooms across five storeys, with the total internal accommodation extending to almost 2,800 sq ft; there is also a charming and private west-facing garden at the rear. The interior has a beautifully simple design that has kept the focus on existing historic features, including beautiful plasterwork and box sash windows. Chalky white walls and fumed oak floorboards further enhance excellent levels of natural light throughout the house, with the primary living spaces of unusually capacious proportions.

Setting the Scene

After the successful development of Paddington in the early 19th century, Kensington was expanded and Pembridge Square and the surrounding streets including Chepstow Place were built. Formerly agricultural land with several prior Roman settlements nearby, the road formed part of some 28 acres of land owned by James Weller Ladbroke, who gave his name to several prominent neighbouring thoroughfares. This area formed a small part of his greater land west of Portobello Lane, with this house built by James Hall, a noted speculative builder of the time.

Set behind a low white stucco wall and entrance piers, the brick paved front garden terrace has space for bicycle storage if required, and there is a maple tree with jasmine enveloping the rear of the low wall. The stuccoed house is set in the centre of its four-home terrace, set over five storeys with further stucco architraves surrounding the apertures and a channelled elevation at ground level. Margin light box sashes feature primarily as fenestration, with full height sashes at the piano nobile, set behind a pretty cast iron Juliet balcony. For more information, please see the History section below.

The Grand Tour

Pilasters frame the entrance doorcase, inset with a half-glazed four-panel door with brushed steel Banham locks. An entry phone system provides convenient access. Entry is to a spacious hallway, with oak floorboards underfoot and elevation framed with beautiful plaster cornice. The staircase lies directly ahead, and a trio of steps descend through double pocket doors to the kitchen, dining room and informal sitting room, taking the form of one large open-place living space some 36 feet in depth. The ceiling height is exceptionally high throughout, giving a great feeling of space and airiness. Both the ground and lower ground floors have underfloor heating.

The kitchen is set to the front of the plan, with bespoke panelled cabinetry including a generous island unit. Polished stainless steel worktops lend a utilitarian quality to the design, and appliances are integrated. A steel La Canche range cooker and freestanding stainless steel fridge/freezer are both set into the cabinetry. The dining area is positioned centrally in this open-plan living space, leading to a cosy informal sitting room to the rear, with a roof light set above and large French windows open to the garden, while a further expansive box sash window frames an additional view. A Carrara marble chimneypiece provides a focal point to the room, inset with a warming wood burner.

The lower ground floor was created in recent years, meticulously designed and constructed, with brilliantly tall ceiling heights in all the spaces. A large reception room is set to the rear of the floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking to a terrace with a staircase that leads up to the garden. Also on this floor is a generous utility room, guest WC and a bedroom with an en suite shower room.

The first floor is currently comprised of the principal bedroom suite, arranged as a sitting room in place of the traditional ‘piano nobile’ drawing room, with pocket doors opening to the bedroom and leading to the very rear, on to the en suite bathroom. The rooms could easily be separated again as two independent spaces, if desired. The seating area is a wonderfully light-filled space, with tall sash windows opening to the Juliet balcony, and features wall mouldings with excellent plaster cornicing set above. The parquet flooring complements a Carrara marble chimneypiece in the French style, which has an open hearth with log basket. The bedroom is set to the rear of the floor; steps down descend from here the en suite bathroom, which has a claw-foot bath  beside the window, a separate shower enclosure and nickel-plated brassware in a traditional design.

The half-landing to the rear (between the first and second storeys) is currently used as a study, though could also be used as a small bedroom. A further three bedrooms are found on the second floor. A family shower room is set on the uppermost storey and serves the bedrooms below.

The Great Outdoors

The walled garden opens through expansive French windows from the ground floor sitting room, with further access from the lower ground floor reception room. Incredibly private with tall, rendered walls all around, the garden is mainly brick paved with charcoal bricks, to complement the front garden’s terrace. It has plenty of space for outdoor dining and has been planted with magnolia, fragrant jasmine and hydrangeas, along with a mature silver birch.

Out and About

Chepstow Place runs north and south from Pembridge Square towards Westbourne Grove, one of west London’s most desirable destinations. The area is celebrated for its restaurants, cafes and boutiques.

On the doorstep are Franklin’s Wine, Sally Clarke Bakery, Provenance Butcher and The Notting Hill Fish and Meat Shop. The immediate area has many excellent restaurants, such as the two Michelin-starred The Ledbury, three Michelin-starred Core by Clare Smyth, Granger and a branch of Ottolenghi. Further, bars, restaurants and pubs can be found throughout Notting Hill, including The Electric Cinema and the popular Notting Hill Arts Club.

There are several public parks near Chepstow Place; the green open spaces of Avondale Park and Holland Park are close, while Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are just a five-minute walk away.

Local day schools, from nursery through to 18, are excellent and include Wetherby School and Pembridge Hall, Chepstow House and Mynors Nursery. All the major London senior independent schools are also easily accessible.

Notting Hill Gate (Central line) and Royal Oak (Circle and Hammersmith & City lines) are nearby. The Westway provides an easy route out of the city by road for swift access to Heathrow Airport and the south-west

Council Tax Band: H