A traditional mews is a cobbled street (quite often a dead end cul-de-sac) with two rows of terraced cottages facing each other.
The word “Mews” comes from the time when the Royal hawks were ‘mewed’ or moulted in the Royal Mews at Charing Cross. The use changed to stabling in the reign of King Henry VIII.
Mews houses mainly date from mid 19th century and in the past forty years or so have become rather more expensive and highly sought after.
They tend to be located in the very best parts of London because their original purpose was to serve as stabling and staff quarters for the grand town houses. The main concentrations
of mews houses are to be found in the areas surrounding Hyde Park, Regents Park and Holland Park but wonderful mews streets are also to be found all over London.
One of the attractions of a mews house is that it is likely to have garage space which – given the difficulties and expense of parking in central London is a major advantage.
Most mews houses are residential though there are quite a few that are either wholly commercial or part commercial and part residential. These are ideal for someone wanting to run an office from home.
Often tucked away from the urban hustle and bustle, the community spirit in mews streets is unbeatable. The diversity of mews houses never ceases to amaze. Very few mews streets in London are listed so the changes that have been made over the years means that very few are even remotely similar.
Here are two examples of highly sought after mews houses in London.
QUEEN’S GATE PLACE MEWS, SW7 5BQ
Considered one of the most spectacular mews houses on the market in London, this stunning property comes with everything the most discerning buyer would expect from a high-end new build property.
With a gross internal area of approximately 3,718 sq ft, the four-bedroom house boasts a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom & shower room plus a dressing room, a cinema room and even a steam room.
Future residents will be within easy reach of some of the city’s most desirable areas such as Chelsea, South Kensington, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
INVERNESS MEWS, W2 3JQ
Located in the heart of the Queensway and Whiteleys regeneration project – one of London’s newest, most extensive £1 billion developments – is a hidden gem of a mews house with a gross internal area of about 1,619 sq ft.
Spread over three floors, the house features three double bedrooms with master en-suite bathroom that are generous and luxurious, one further bathroom, an entertaining space, dining room, and the perfect open plan kitchen for cooking enthusiasts.
Future plans for the surrounding area involve turning it into the “Covent Garden of the west”, making it one of the most desirable spots in central London.
