Garden squares and mews houses: London’s most charming homes

About Garden squares and mews houses: London’s most charming homes

By the ULTIMATE London Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Two features define the loveliest corners of London: leafy garden squares surrounded by terraced houses, and the cobbled mews behind them, once stables and now sought-after homes.

The garden square

From the 17th century, landowners laid out estates around garden squares, with terraces facing a shared garden. Bloomsbury, Belgravia, Kensington and Notting Hill are full of them.

Private and public squares

Some squares, such as Russell Square, are public parks; many others are private, with keys held by the surrounding residents. Each June, Open Garden Squares Weekend opens some private gardens to visitors.

Behind many grand London terraces runs a quiet cobbled mews.

The mews

Mews were built behind the grand houses as stables and coach houses, with grooms living above. When horses gave way to cars, they were converted into small houses, now prized for their charm and quiet.

Living in a mews or on a square

Mews homes may have limited light or parking, and both mews and square houses are often listed or in conservation areas, with restrictions on alterations. Many are leasehold on the great estates. A solicitor and surveyor will explain what applies.

Our advice: walk the mews of Belgravia, Kensington and Marylebone to get a feel for them, and visit during Open Garden Squares Weekend to see inside the private squares.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Garden squares and mews houses: London’s most charming homes before you go.