Sloane Square: London city guide
Sloane Square is the gateway to Chelsea. It jettisons you into the fashion and cultural delights of the King's Road, Duke of York Square, the stylishly curated Pavilion Road and some of the prettiest residential streets in the capital.
In May, though, it's all about the Flower Show, with local shops competing with fabulous floral decorations for Chelsea in Bloom. 'You step out of the tube at Sloane Square and there's always a buzz, especially when the Flower Show's on,' says Roly Ingleby-MacKenzie, head of Knightsbridge sales at Knight Frank.
Upgrades to the area's shops have raised the bar. 'Arguably the best part is Pavilion Road, which is tucked away just off the main thoroughfare,' says Toby Anderdon, director, Savills Sloane Street office. 'This pedestrianised, buzzy mews, is home to artisan restaurants, independent cafes, and high-end boutiques.'
Robert Green, head of sales at John D Wood & Co, highlights recent updates to Chelsea Green, 'a ten-minute stroll from Sloane Square, which has a more relaxed and local vibe'. The King's Road meanwhile thrums with retail activity, with Whole Foods having just signed a 15-year lease.
In terms of property, 'a home in Chelsea is part of a long-term ambition for many,' says Green. You may catch a glimpse of Eric Clapton or Mick Jagger in this charming village where global residents come to feel part of something very local.
'Chelsea was built through different eras and wasn't always as wealthy as it is today, so we routinely sell houses from 700 to 7,000 sq ft, keeping the community diverse and interesting,' says Green. Elegant red-brick mansion apartments, charming mews houses and garden square townhouses appeal to young couples, City professionals, and families.
The majority of properties are houses rather than flats, meaning people live here full-time, which gives Chelsea Village a strong sense of community. 'The archetypal Chelsea houses along the streets which run perpendicular to King's Road are a perennial favourite, with those on garden squares like Markham and Carlyle especially desirable,' says Green. 'Currently, with many embracing lateral living, larger flats are very popular. If you can find one that has been recently modernised, jump on it before someone else does!'
A day in Sloane Square
9AM
In the FROW
Find yourself front row of this year's Chelsea in Bloom theme, Flowers on the Catwalk, a show to be seen . The highly anticipated extension of RHS Chelsea Flower Show returns for its 20th anniversary. Boutique facades have drawn inspiration from couture's most iconic moments. From Cartier to Ralph Lauren, RIXO and Temperley London, floristry meets fashion. Installation highlights include a tribute to the roaring 20s at Duke of York Square and oversized Elton John-inspired sunglasses.
11AM
Branching out
At the Saatchi Gallery, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, discover the inspirational impact of flowers on artists and writers. Reopening by popular demand on 30 May, Flowers – Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture displays more than 500 works.
1PM
Sakura table
Raise a glass at the Ivy Asia on the King's Road, which is celebrating cherry blossom season with an afternoon tea and menu of cocktails. Meat the Fish 's Mediter-Asian cuisine on Cadogan Gardens seamlessly blends two worlds. Elsewhere, The Surprise on Christchurch Terrace is a favourite local pub.
3PM
Sartorial spending
Discover the stylish boutiques in and around the square. The area is home to the iconic Peter Jones, as well as Trinny London, Reformation, Self-Portrait, Trilogy and Bentleys to name a few. Pavilion Road is a chic village in itself with a cheeseshop, butcher, fishmonger The Sea, The Sea, bakery Bread Ahead, Ottolenghi and Papersmiths for stationery lovers. You'll also find British beauty label Cosmetics à la Carte.
5PM
Go maestro
Cadogan Hall is Chelsea's very own concert hall. First opened in 1907, the 950-seat venue and official home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra draws some of the finest musicians in the world with its globally renowned acoustics. This month enjoy an eclectic programme, from Schumann to Bond by Candlelight.
Ask a local
'Chelsea's timeless charm is one of the many reasons I love working here. Walking to work in the morning is sometimes my favourite part of the day, passing the most beautiful architecture, tree-lined avenues, and a buzz that never fades. There's an incredible sense of community, from the artisans at Pavilion Road to the vibrant market at Duke of York Square. The Chelsea Physic Garden is an endless source of botanical inspiration, while a coffee from Hagen or an indulgent bite at one of the fantastic local eateries is always a treat – Chelsea's food scene is truly unrivalled.
A personal favourite of mine is Vardo, where I love sitting outside watching the hustle and bustle. Whether it's a morning stroll along the Thames or finding hidden gems on Walton Street, Chelsea's blend of heritage and creativity makes every day here an absolute joy.' lavendergreen.co.uk
Food & Drink
Venture round the square and beyond to discover a melting pot of dining cultures, from classic French to Middle-Eastern cuisine
Colbert - 50-52 Sloane Square
Where London meets Paris, the iconic Colbert (named after the French actress Claudette Colbert) is inspired by the Grand Boulevard cafes of the French capital. Watch the world go by at a pavement table, or take a booth inside, where famous Chelsea residents pop in for bistro classics, including French onion soup and croque monsieur.
Villa Mamas - 25 Elystan Street
The capital's only Bahraini restaurant, visionary chef Roaya Saleh brings the dishes inspired by her childhood. The menu is a culinary journey of Middle Eastern heritage and global influence, with tachin chicken (layered saffron rice) a signature dish. Chef Roaya's modernisation of Bahraini cuisine has earned her critical acclaim, with Villa Mamas dubbed as one of the best Middle Eastern dining destinations in London.
Azzurra - 127-128 Sloane Street
Dive into generous Italian seafood cuisine at Azzurra. Inspired in particular by restaurateur David Yeo's travels around Sicily and the Amalfi coast, Azzura has a boat-to-table ethos. Suitable for a glamorous lunch or dinner, the seafood sharing platter is ideal for trying a bit of everything.
Ixchel - 33H King's Road
Ixchel has become a hotspot for A-list dining, from royalty to film stars. Named after a Mexican goddess, the menu is equally as divine. Find salsa to suit all spice levels and pistachio mole verde grilled seabass among the authentically Mexican dishes. Ixchel has collaborated with model Kendall Jenner's tequila brand, 818, to create the cocktail Angel Moon Paloma.
Caraffini - 61-63 Lower Sloane Street
Opened more than 30 years ago by Paolo Caraffini and Frank di Rienzo, Caraffini is a local institution. Now a family affair, the restaurant team includes Paolo's daughter, Francesca and Frank's son, Matthew. A favourite neighbourhood spot, Carrafini has had the joy of seeing generations grow. Signature dishes include pasta with monkfish, courgette and cherry tomatoes.
Schools
Home to a number of highly esteemed schools, pupils strive to reach their full potential in Sloane Square. Family-run Garden House School on Turk's Row carefully nurtures the first educational steps for pupils aged three to 11. Teaching boys and girls separately, there are activities enjoyed jointly. Leavers' destinations include: Dulwich College, Westminster, Queen's Gate and Putney High.
Cameron Vale School takes boys and girls and will host their next open day on 14 May, inset. Sussex House School, overlooking Cadogan Square, educates boys from eight to 13. Celebrating its 144th anniversary this year, Francis Holland School on Graham Terrace has a sister school in Regent's Park for senior girls and a preparatory school, which moved to premises on Manresa Road last year. The school excels in music, drama, art and sport, counting Dame Joan Collins and violinist Vanessa-Mae as alumnae. Knightsbridge School on Pont Street is another centrally located all-through school.
On the market
From townhouses with covetable gardens to mews and mansion blocks, Sloane Square offers buyers variety.
Ask an agent
There has been a community-driven lifestyle revolution over the past decade in the heart of Chelsea. The curation of a village-like culture has gone hand in hand with a burgeoning desire to socialise on the doorstep and be able to walk around the corner for a coffee and a pint of milk. This has been at the forefront of the Cadogan Estate's continual upgrades to Chelsea Village. The village starts at Sloane Square and tracks west and north-west along the King's Road, down to the Thames and up Sloane Street.
It has the components of a rural village, with seven garden squares in residential enclaves off the King's Road, while Burton Court and the Royal Hospital grounds are the village greens – minus ducks. The triangular Chelsea Green is where you'll find the butchers (Jago's), fruit and veg shop (Andreas) and bakery (Birley Bakery). This vibrant pocket has now been pedestrianised. The upgrade to Pavilion Road has also been a huge success, bringing cosmopolitan cafe culture to Chelsea.
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