Living in Kentish Town

Community life in Kentish Town is strong and visible. Residents frequently describe the social atmosphere as both friendly and neighbourly, with local initiatives and events bringing people together. The neighbourhood hosts a number of community-led festivals, including the Kentish Town City Farm open days and regular events at the Kentish Town Community Centre. Farmers’ markets and craft fairs on weekends are popular social spots.

Kentish Town is also known for its proximity to open spaces, notably Hampstead Heath, Parliament Hill Fields, and the Regent’s Canal towpath, all ideal for walking, jogging, and socialising outdoors. Active local forums, book clubs, and creative workshops contribute to a community-driven way of life. The presence of family-run shops, performance venues, and locally owned businesses gives Kentish Town a distinct identity, making it a vibrant and neighbourly district within a bustling capital city.

Safety in Kentish Town generally reflects the average trends for inner North West London. While it is a busy and densely populated urban area, many residents view Kentish Town as feeling safe, especially compared to some neighbouring districts with busier nightlife scenes. Like other parts of the borough of Camden, petty crime such as bicycle theft does occur, but rates of violent or serious crime are moderate and often concentrated around major transport links or late at night.

Community-focused policing and local Neighbourhood Watch groups are active in Kentish Town, working in close partnership with Camden Council. There are regular safety campaigns and initiatives, especially around Kentish Town Road and nearby parks. Residents cite the presence of schools and families, along with good street lighting and high foot traffic, as contributing to a vigilant, community-aware atmosphere.

Parking in Kentish Town can be challenging due to the area’s dense housing and popularity with commuters. Most on-street parking is controlled by Camden Council and operates on a permit basis, with paid parking bays for visitors. Resident permits are essential for longer-term parking, and the council enforces regulations strictly, particularly near the main high street and stations.

Kentish Town is located conveniently close to key A-roads including the A400, which connects to the A1 for fast access northwards out of London. Traffic congestion is typical during peak hours, and several one-way streets can make navigating by car slower than public transport. However, the area’s cycle infrastructure is improving, with more dedicated lanes and bike parking introduced recently.

• Hampstead – approx. 10 minutes via A502 (2 miles)
• Highgate – approx. 15 minutes via A400 (3 miles)
• Central London – approx. 25 minutes via A400 or A501 (4 miles)
• Camden Town – approx. 5 minutes, less than 1 mile

Kentish Town has a diverse and celebrated food and drink scene, with a mix of popular gastropubs, classic pubs, and independent restaurants. The Bull & Gate is a famous Victorian pub with a longstanding association with London’s live music scene. The Southampton Arms, known for its craft beers and friendly ambiance, is a favourite with locals. For dining, local institutions like The Pineapple and Patron offer everything from Thai food to French bistro fare.

The area also boasts a variety of cafés, bakeries, and specialty coffee shops dotted along Kentish Town Road and Fortess Road. Takeaway options are abundant, representing a wide range of cuisines from Italian to Middle Eastern. Kentish Town offers less of a wild clubbing scene than neighbouring Camden or Soho, but there are several live music venues, trendy cocktail bars, and event spaces – including the 02 Forum Kentish Town, one of London’s most renowned mid-sized concert venues. Nightlife here is lively but slightly more laid-back than busier entertainment districts.

School quality: Kentish Town is frequently sought after by families due to its range of primary and secondary schools with consistently strong Ofsted results. The presence of both state and independent educational options increases its appeal for parents seeking a supportive learning environment.

Parks and green space: Hampstead Heath, Parliament Hill, and several smaller playgrounds are within easy reach, providing plentiful space for children to play and families to relax.

Childcare: There are several nurseries, preschools, and after-school programmes in and around Kentish Town. The area’s varied childcare provision makes it convenient for working families.

Safety: Enhanced community policing and an active neighbourhood watch make families feel secure; streets are busy and well-lit, contributing to a safe environment.

Family activities: Events at the local city farm, libraries, music and art workshops, and weekend markets all offer family-friendly entertainment. Sports clubs and swimming pools in the wider area add to the wealth of activities available for children and parents alike.

Kentish Town offers several amenities for pet owners, making it a popular choice for those with dogs or cats. The proximity to Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill provides extensive open parkland suitable for dog walking, jogging, and enjoying nature. Local streets, many with front gardens, are well-suited for pet-friendly living, and several nearby cafés and pubs openly welcome dogs.

Veterinary practices and pet shops can be found on Kentish Town Road and nearby in Camden and Highgate. There are grooming services and pet care professionals operating in the area. Rental properties with gardens are in demand among pet owners, and there’s a generally positive attitude toward pets in public spaces and housing, although landlords may set individual restrictions. Overall, the neighbourhood supports an active, pet-inclusive lifestyle.

Kentish Town is exceptionally well connected within North West London. The area’s main station, Kentish Town, is served by the Northern Line as well as Thameslink railway services, making direct connections to the City of London, St Pancras International, and further north into Hertfordshire. Kentish Town West Overground station extends access across London, including Stratford and Richmond. Multiple bus routes along Kentish Town Road provide frequent links to Camden, Archway, King’s Cross, and Central London destinations.

Commute times from Kentish Town are especially appealing for those working or studying across the capital:

• Camden Town – approx. 5 minutes by bus or 15 minutes on foot
• King’s Cross St Pancras – approx. 7 minutes by direct Thameslink train
• The City of London – approx. 15 minutes by Northern Line to Bank or Moorgate
• West End – approx. 20 minutes by Underground to Tottenham Court Road
• Heathrow Airport – approx. 60 minutes via Thameslink to Farringdon and then Elizabeth Line
• Gatwick Airport – direct trains (approx. 60 minutes)

The area’s public transport reliability and proximity to key London arteries make Kentish Town attractive for regular commuters and those needing easy airport access.

Primary Schools:

Kentish Town is home to several well-regarded primary schools. Kentish Town Church of England Primary School is highly rated and known for its welcoming environment and engaging curriculum (Ofsted: Outstanding, 2017). Eleanor Palmer Primary School, just south of Kentish Town, is another consistently oversubscribed option, well respected for its vibrant, community-focused ethos and excellent academic record (Ofsted: Outstanding, 2011). Torriano Primary School in the neighbouring area is celebrated for creativity and inclusivity (Ofsted: Outstanding, 2018).

Secondary Schools:

Within Kentish Town and nearby, Parliament Hill School for girls offers a broad academic programme (Ofsted: Good, 2018), while William Ellis School is a popular boys’ secondary with a strong tradition of pastoral support (Ofsted: Good, 2019). La Sainte Union Catholic School, a voluntary aided girls’ school, is also frequently chosen by families in the area (Ofsted: Good, 2019).

Independent and Specialist Schools:

Collège Français Bilingue de Londres, a French bilingual school, attracts international families, while North Bridge House Senior Hampstead and Camden School for Girls (state-funded but with selective intake) are other notable options. Many independent schools in the wider Hampstead and Camden region are easily accessible from Kentish Town.

Colleges and Universities:

Kentish Town residents have quick access to further education across London. City and Islington College and Westminster Kingsway College are both within reach via public transport. University College London, SOAS University of London, and other University of London institutions can be reached easily from Kentish Town Underground or Thameslink stations, making this area popular with students keen to live near central campuses.