Kensal Rise (also known as Kensal Green) is a vibrant urban village in North West London. With a combination of green, open spaces and good transport links, a range of independent shops and good schools, and a variety of property to fit a range of tastes and budgets, it is an appealing area of London for families, young professionals, and everything in between. The area is also known for attracting young, artsy, media types and actors - including Daniel Craig. The area has been called the 'new Portobello', and Vogue named Chamberlayne Road 'London's hippest street'.
Coupled with nearby Queen's Park, this area has a strong sense of community and the feel of an urban village. There is a diverse mix of people living in this area, most of whom are deeply attached to the neighbourhood. The area has a great number of independent, local shops and restaurants.
Kensal Rise is a safe place to live. The crime rate in this area, according to the Met police, is 'average'. The crime rate and violence against the person rate for 2014/2015 were similar to, but slightly higher than, the London rates.
This is neither an especially easy or especially hard place to park. Fewer households own cars in this area than the London rate. There can be some traffic issues in the area, particularly southbound on Chamberlaybe Road at the morning rush hour.
There is a range of very good restaurants, bars, and pubs in Kensal Rise - many of them independent and locally owned. There is also a number of nightclibs in the wider area, easily accessed day or night via the area's excellent bus links.
Kensal Rise is a very attractive area for families, and children aged 0-15 make up a little over 20% of the population. There is a good stock of family homes available in this area, including spacious Edwardian and Victorian terraces. Schools in Kensal Rise are generally very good, with a lot of options that are scored 'good' to 'outstanding' by Ofsted. The American School is nearby, drawing Americans to this area. There is a great deal of open space in this area, including parks like Little Wormwood Scrubs, and the Grand Union Canal provides a great leisure opportunities.
Much of the property in this area is spacious, including large Edwardian family homes. There is very good access to green space, including Queen's Park, Little Wormwood Scrubs, and the Grand Union Canal. This would be a good place to own a dog.
Kensal Rise station offers Overground access, and a quick link to Hampstead Heath or Clapham Junction. Queen's Park and Kensal Green are in Zone 2 and on the Bakerloo Line as well as the Overground. Willesden Junction and Stonebridge Park are also on the Bakerloo Line and the Overground, in Zone 3. The area is very well served by buses, including night buses. The area is not far drom the M1, M4, and M25.