Earls Court
The Area
South of Kensington, north of Chelsea, west of South Kensington, and east of Fulham, Earl’s Court was once green fields, market gardens, and orchards. Increasing gentrification has made it popular with a wide demographic. Our Recoco buying agents will happily help you discover this diverse and vibrant area of west London where major regeneration is planned.
East Earl’s Court lies south of Cromwell Road and east of Earl’s Court Road. Ask your Recoco buying agent to outline the current properties available on the attractive mews and garden squares. Flats fall into the multi-million price bracket; houses in the Boltons area have sold for up to £20 million. Check with your Recoco property buyer for updates.
In “West Earl’s Court”, meanwhile, property buyers will find studio flats, hotels, and apartment houses, often in impressive late Victorian buildings. Our expert Recoco property finders can help identify the best accommodation for your needs.
Travel
The nearest tube and TFL stations are Earl’s Court (District and Piccadilly Lines), Gloucester Road (Circle, District, and Piccadilly), and West Brompton (Wimbledon branch of the District Line; London Overground). Trains operated by Southern run from West Brompton to Clapham Junction, Watford Junction, and Milton Keynes. Several buses also run to central London, including the 328, 430, 74, C1, and C3.
Earl’s Court is served directly by the A4 between central London and Heathrow Airport and further west. Old Brompton Road itself is another busy major route.
The History
It’s unclear which Earl gave his name to the district; there are several contenders. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, the de Vere family, Lords of the Manor of Kensington, held the land for several centuries, followed by the Earls of Warwick. In 1721 the Edwardes family acquired the land by marriage.
With the coming of the railways, Earl’s Court became increasingly popular, and in 1887, the pleasure grounds were opened, to be succeeded by the Exhibition Centre in the mid-20th century. Earls Court Exhibition Centre was the area’s beating heart for several decades. Some events have relocated to Kensington Olympia; your Recoco property finder can provide details.
Leisure and Events
Earl’s Court is within walking distance of High Street Kensington, Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, Imperial College, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. While the Earl’s Court area is currently reinventing itself, property buyers will still find plenty to see and do. Drama enthusiasts can catch fringe performances at the Drayton Arms on Old Brompton Road, many of which progress to the West End, or enjoy the designated local theatre, the Finborough.
Alternatively, return to your property search somewhat revitalised after a trip to see emerging musical talent at the Troubadour: previous performers include Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and Elvis Costello. This part of London hides some utterly delightful and engaging watering holes, such as the Evans & Peel Detective Agency.
Earl’s Court has several gyms and a swimming pool, and Brompton Library is open six days a week for most of the year. Supermarkets include Waitrose, a Tesco superstore, Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer and the Co-operative, with some 24-hour small convenience stores.
If you’d like to experience a totally different kind of break from your property search, the Grade I listed Brompton Cemetery, dating from early Victorian times, is well worth visiting.
Education
There is a mix of schools in Earl’s Court, including independent schools, Catholic state schools, a Free School Primary and a Snowflake School for children with autism. Several schools are rated highly by Ofsted. For secondary education, some pupils may need to move into the wider Kensington area; the same applies to further and higher education.
Celebrity Connections
If you enjoy celebrity spotting as part of your property search, you’ll delight in the list of associations. These include author and naturalist Beatrix Potter; archaeologist Howard Carter; WS Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan fame; astronomer and scientist Norman Lockyer; and Shakespearean stage actress Dame Ellen Terry; actor Stewart Granger; singer Dusty Springfield; and Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen.
The most famous resident of all, Diana, Princess of Wales, lived at 60 Coleherne Court for two years before her engagement to Prince Charles.
Foodies’ Corner
Polish, Australasian, Filipino, Thai street food, vegetarian, vegan, the only Michelin starred pub in London – few cuisines are unavailable in Earl’s Court. Your Recoco buying agent can help you locate your favourite types of food, and suggest some great new options.
Fun Fact
Earl’s Court is home to London's smallest communal garden, "Providence Patch".