London
Having lived and worked in central and south west London for 10 years, we couldn’t think of a better corner of London to call home and raise a family. Here are some of the reasons why we love the area…
Urban Villages and Green Spaces
A defining feature of London is the city’s value on nature and outdoor spaces, reflected in its numerous royal parks, commons, and local green spaces across all boroughs. While central and south-west London are renowned for Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common, the city offers a wealth of urban villages and green retreats in every corner.
Neighbourhoods like Hampstead Village in the north, with the expansive Hampstead Heath, and Dulwich Village in the south bring a countryside feel to urban living. East London’s Victoria Park and West London’s Holland Park offer further green oases, providing residents and visitors with a much-needed sense of peace and tranquillity.
From the deer in Richmond Park to the rolling views of Primrose Hill, these green spaces are essential to London’s quality of life. Strolling through commons, parks, and riverside pathways in all four seasons reveals the city’s natural beauty and offers a break from the bustle of urban life.
London’s connectivity is exceptional, linking the city’s diverse neighbourhoods and green spaces via tubes, buses, and trams. Extensive road and rail networks and major international airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City Airport, connect Londoners to local and global destinations.
Sport and Leisure
London boasts a vibrant sporting scene, with world-famous teams and venues across the city. Premier League football clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham attract international fans and showcase the city’s passion for the sport. London also proudly hosts The Championships at Wimbledon, a renowned cultural and sporting event at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, known for its tradition, celebrity visitors, and the quintessentially British "Wimbledon queue."
Beyond football and tennis, Londoners enjoy proximity to Twickenham Stadium for rugby, and to cricket’s iconic venues, Lord's and The Oval. Additionally, golf enthusiasts can access an impressive range of clubs and courses within a commutable distance of the city.
Horse riding is another unique offering, with facilities at Hyde Park Stables, Wimbledon Village, and Stag Lodge Stables, allowing residents to experience a rare urban equestrian lifestyle. Whether it’s football, tennis, rugby, cricket, or outdoor pursuits, London offers a diverse array of sports and leisure activities that cater to all interests and keep the city’s recreational spirit thriving.
Schools
The quality and variety of schools across London are exceptional, offering some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world.
The capital is home to leading independent senior schools such as Westminster, KCS Wimbledon, St Paul’s, St Paul’s Girls', Godolphin and Latymer, Highgate, North London Collegiate School, City of London, Alleyn’s, and James Allen’s Girls’ School to name but a few.
London offers an exceptional range of early years and preparatory education options. For preschoolers, standout choices include Tadpoles, Young England, and the Rocket nurseries, each known for their nurturing environments and engaging early learning programs. The city also boasts a selection of prized pre-prep and prep schools, including the Wetherby Schools, Wimbledon Common Prep School, Hampstead Hill School, Norland Place, Pembridge Hall, Glendower, Sussex House, and the Thomas’s schools.
As a global city, London has an impressive selection of excellent bilingual and international schools, such as the American School in London and Collège Français Bilingue de Londres. These institutions provide families residing in London for the short or medium term with the opportunity to keep their children within familiar education systems, whether European, American, or International Baccalaureate (IB).
London’s desirability as a school location means that admissions are highly competitive and often oversubscribed, with some schools seeing up to 10 applicants per place. Certain pre-schools and schools require registration at birth, making forward planning essential.
Leveraging ESB’s expertise and deep knowledge of London’s education landscape is invaluable for families as they navigate the admissions process and select the best-fit schools in this hyper-competitive environment.
Which areas of London do we cover?
We cover all areas within central London and beyond, most typically working with families living in or moving to Chelsea, Kensington, Westminster, Notting Hill, Holland Park, Marylebone, St John’s Wood, Belsize Park, Hampstead, Barnes, Fulham, Wimbledon, Battersea, Clapham and Dulwich.