Primrose Hill Living

The Times Online reviews Primrose Hill;
IF celebrity was a country, Primrose Hill would undoubtedly be its capital. There’s Kate and Jude, Sienna and Sadie and Meg. If Gwen Stefani and husband Gavin Rossdale ever run low on polenta they can always pop next door to Jamie and Jools Oliver. The Gallaghers have gone, selling their rock pad Supernova Heights to Little Britain star David Walliams for a reported £3 million. Stalkers are spoilt for choice. So what attracts all these A-listers to NW1? Each other, for a start. The Primrose Hill Mob shocked the neighbourhood romping between boudoirs and across the tabloids. Meg and Noel have since split – she auctioned the entire contents of their home, including leather handcuffs, online. Since Sadie cleaned up her act it seems that Kate’s the only one still misbehaving. But, good or bad, they’re all still on the Hill. Famous or not, you can live a celebrity lifestyle on the Hill – if you can afford it. Begin by finding your inner calm at Triyoga. Once centred pop along to the Trojka Russian Restaurant and Tea Room for caviar on toast. Try to ignore Take That sharing a pot of green tea at the next table. Which boutique first? Should it be the two-storey trinket trove that is Shikasuki? Lingerie from Miss Lala’s Boudoir? Or some pampering for your underarm pooch at Primrose Hill Pets? If you’re feeling all rustic, and it’s Saturday, grab an artisanal loaf and some handmade cheese from the farmers’ market at Primrose Hill School on Princess Road. Grab the latest Alan Bennett book from Primrose Hill Books and nod at the great man’s house as you walk up the Hill. At the top, don your dark glasses and pick a bench on which to enjoy your impromptu picnic, looking down, in so many ways, on the rest of London. DAMIAN BARR

HOW IT RATES Once a hunting ground of Henry VIII, Primrose Hill has become one of London’s most exclusive enclaves. Delis and boutiques supply the wealthy locals, most of whom work in politics, media, banking or rock’n’roll. Primrose Hill is mentioned in William Blake’s poetry, Samuel Beckett’s radio plays and numerous pop songs.

WHAT’S NEW For new projects of one’s own, try local builder Robin Ellis. His average budget for a private project is £4 million; he specialises in modernising period houses in a chic way (020-7449 4252, www.robinellis.co.uk).

QUALITY OF LIFE Almost too perfect. Pretty, candy-coloured houses by a grassy knoll with skyline views of the city. Regent’s Park is moments away, as are top restaurants and pubs.

TRAVEL With no Tube stop of its own, a short walk to Chalk Farm or Swiss Cottage is required. Otherwise it’s a mere dash across the park to Marylebone High Street and Oxford Circus for shopping. Camden is next door, as is St John’s Wood.

SMARTEST STREETS Chalcot Square is a collection of coloured houses that carry a 10 to 15 per cent premium, costing about £4 million. Only three or four houses have been sold here in the past five years.

BEST RESTAURANTS Odette’s is an upmarket restaurant owned by Mean Fiddler’s Vince Power. Clare’s Kitchen makes good snacks and offers a chi-chi catering service. Sardo Canale is a canalside Sicilian, and Manna is famed for its vegetarian cuisine.

NIGHTLIFE The Engineer is a lovely pub and The Lansdowne on Gloucester Avenue has good food and drink. Trojka, a Russian tea room, holds vodka and caviar nights.

EDUCATIONThe Trevor Roberts School is one of Eton’s feeder prep schools. An alternative kindergarten option is Chalcot Montessori School, with bilingual teaching in French and English. South Hampstead High School for girls is nondenominational and has an excellent academic record.

UPSIDE The hill itself is an idyllic picnic spot in summer and a good vantage point for watching autumn fireworks. At weekends French stalls sell cheese, croissants and salami, and Bibendum is one of London’s best wine merchants. London Zoo is near by for kids, and Camden will satisfy teenagers and old rockers.

DOWNSIDE With so many famous locals it can be hard to grasp which “Primrose Hill set” is being referred to – the Sadie Frost lot or the David Miliband lot. Being a posh ghetto, food prices are extortionate. Well-grounded types are thin on the ground.