Pimlico

The Town

Pimlico is an understated and discreet area of central London, just south of Belgravia. Property buyers will find the Regency architecture and garden squares especially appealing, and the briefest of property searches shows over 350 Grade II Listed Buildings. It’s now a conservation area: to the north you’ll find Victoria Station, while the River Thames forms the southern boundary. Vauxhall Bridge Road marks the eastern edge, and the former Grosvenor Canal is to the west.

Travel

Pimlico Underground Station is served by the Victoria line; nearby Victoria is also on the District and Circle line. Train links are good. Several bus routes run through the centre. For property buyers who enjoy journeying by water, take the riverboat from Millbank Millennium Pier to Waterloo and Southwark.

The History

Legend has it that the area was named for landlord Ben Pimlico, who created a rather splendid ale, nut-brown in colour. Pimlico was originally famous for its fresh produce, particularly herbs and vegetables. The Neat House Gardens were a particular highlight from the early 17th century, and your buying agent can demonstrate how the whole area was laid out on a grid in the early 19th century. The area subsequently fell into a genteel decline and in the 1850s a cholera outbreak resulted in many deaths, although one positive outcome was the building of new sewers. The area suffered badly in World War Two, but by the 1960s, as your property finder can confirm, the gentrification of the area had begun.

Leisure and Events

Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and many other Central London delights are within easy walking distance, or you can stay local. The Tachbrook Street Market is open six days a week, offering property buyers the convenience of arts and crafts, fruit and vegetables, fish, dairy and other fresh food on the doorstep. Once a year, St George’s Square hosts Festival Day, incorporating the Pimlico Proms.

Should your buying agent suggest a short and pleasant stroll along the river in the course of your property search, meander towards the Tate Britain, which houses the splendid Turner collection, amongst others. For property buyers whose tastes tend more towards live theatre, the Apollo Victoria is very close. Relish stand-up comedy from established comics and rising stars alike, or catch a performance of modern musicals like “Wicked”.

Education

Pimlico Academy, formerly Pimlico School, is based here, and property finders will be happy to report that schools in the area have received positive Ofsted ratings over the last few years. Many university and specialist colleges are nearby, with the Westminster Adult Education service located in this district. If education is a major concern for you as a property buyer, your buying agent will help you factor that in to your property search.

Celebrity Connections

Many government offices are located in this part of London, with a focus on the security services. Many residents prefer to keep a low profile. Historically, celebrities have included Winston Churchill, designer Laura Ashley and actor Laurence Olivier. Aubrey Beardsley, Art Nouveau-era illustrator and author, lived here, as did Douglas Macmillan, who founded Cancer Relief and Major Walter Wingfield, inventor of lawn tennis. Vintage black-and-white movie fans will know that the charming Ealing comedy “Passport to Pimlico” was set here.

Foodies’ Corner

You’re so close to central London here that whatever cuisine you’re seeking, you will find it. Pimlico itself has a few hidden gems, many using locally sourced and organic ingredients. There is a good range of eateries for the delectation of property buyers. There are restaurants serving the best of British seasonal fare; bistros; Italian; Spanish, European and Mediterranean tapas; and a couple of gastropubs.

Alternatively, sample dishes from tomorrow’s top chefs in the making at the Vincent Rooms, where second and third year catering students from nearby Westminster Kingsway College prepare and serve delicious fare. If you’re after a touch of glamour, your buying agent can steer you towards the restaurant at the Tate Britain. At the other end of the culinary scale, if your property finder has helped you work up an appetite from those gentle riverside strolls, hearty “full English” breakfasts can be had in cafes like the Regency.

And then there’s the Boisdale in nearby Belgravia. This traditional Scottish restaurant has, arguably, the very best range of whisky available in England. There’s also an extensive cigar list, a cigar terrace, and live jazz.

Fun Fact

Pimlico is the only Victoria Line station that lacks an interchange with any other tube or rail line.