Moves you will love
IT’S one of the most memorable scenes in the Christmas classic film Love Actually, the one where Andrew Lincoln’s Mark holds up giant cards telling Keira Knightley’s Juliet that she’s perfect. Whether you think it’s romantic that he finally declares his undying love or tragic he’s going after his best friend’s new wife there’s one thing most of us can agree: the London mews street location is fabulous.
Now a two-bedroom house overlooking the doorstep where Mark finally reveals his love for Juliet is up for sale.
But the chance to live down that cobbled street of impossibly stylish, historic yet contemporary, homes will cost you a cool £1.9million (020 7724 4724; astonchase.com).
Listed on rightmove.co.uk, the lovely three-storey home in St Lukes Mews has a state-of-the-art kitchen and spacious open-plan dining area on the ground floor plus large first-floor living space. The main bedroom, on the second floor, has a dressing room and ensuite and there’s another bedroom and bathroom on the first floor plus stairs up to a large roof terrace.
The Notting Hill mews house not only has views over the rooftops of London, it’s also only a few minutes’ walk from Portobello Market where the opening scenes of Notting Hill were filmed – another hit movie from Love Actually director Richard Curtis.
It’s also close to Golborne Road, known for its wide range of restaurants and cafes large double bedrooms. Also listed on rightmove.co.uk, the apartment is for sale at £735,000 (020 8012 7214; rightmove.co.uk) and is walking distance from St John’s Wood tube station.
It may be just yards from where Firth was filmed having his heart broken but Blenheim Terrace is also just a few minutes’ walk from Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Beatles fans will love that it is just off Abbey Road near the Beatles’ recording studios and a few minutes from Cavendish Avenue, where Paul McCartney lived.
The area is bordered by Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, so there are plenty of open spaces around – Hampstead Heath is further away but still walkable – and St John’s Wood High Street restaurants range from The Ivy Café to the New York restaurant and deli Harry Morgan.
Even if you’re not in the market for buying a Love Actually home you can still get a taste of on-location festive cheer.
Try St John’s Hospice Christmas Fayre on Sunday in St John’s Wood – with fairground and reindeer rides – or go to the Notting Hill Christmas Bazaar today or this weekend.
After a couple of gluhweins you’ll soon be feeling that love is all around.