Alison’s guidebook
Favourite local cafes
Lovely Italian family run deli that preceded all other coffee shops and delis in the area. They stock a great range of Italian foods and deli counter. Great for a coffee, or sandwich or to source good Italian produce.
38 locals recommend
L'Angolo Delicatessen
120 College RdLovely Italian family run deli that preceded all other coffee shops and delis in the area. They stock a great range of Italian foods and deli counter. Great for a coffee, or sandwich or to source good Italian produce.
Sonora Cafe & Kitchen
79 College RdSonora is a favourite local coffee shop/cafe
Rubio
43 Park ParadeGreat for pizza or brunch
Cable co.
Chamberlayne RoadConsidered one of the best places for coffee in Kensal Rise.
Bel & Nev
15 Station TerraceLovely cafe serving great coffee.
Bubbleology Notting Hill
45 Pembridge RdMy daughter's favourite cafe.
Food scene
The Island is a stylish pub-restaurant just an 8 minute walk away. It serves great food and has a quiet terrace for outdoor dining/drinking.
65 locals recommend
The Island
123 College RdThe Island is a stylish pub-restaurant just an 8 minute walk away. It serves great food and has a quiet terrace for outdoor dining/drinking.
Amazing pizza served at this bar-restaurant on Kensal Rise. It also has a pleasant terrace for outdoor dinning.
137 locals recommend
The Chamberlayne
83 Chamberlayne RdAmazing pizza served at this bar-restaurant on Kensal Rise. It also has a pleasant terrace for outdoor dinning.
The Whippet Inn
64 Chamberlayne RdAnother great gastro-pub on Kensal Rise.
The Cedar
58 College RoadGreat local Lebanese restaurant on College Road
Buzzy Farmers Market in Queens Park selling locally produced produce, street food, coffee... A popular Sunday morning destination for locals.
115 locals recommend
Queens Park Farmers' Market
Salusbury RoadBuzzy Farmers Market in Queens Park selling locally produced produce, street food, coffee... A popular Sunday morning destination for locals.
Our nearest - and very good - Thai restaurant. It's not in the nicest location (on the Harrow Road), but it's great value Thai cuisine with a friendly service (they have a takeaway/delivery service too).
26 locals recommend
Tong Kanom Thai Restaurant
833 Harrow RdOur nearest - and very good - Thai restaurant. It's not in the nicest location (on the Harrow Road), but it's great value Thai cuisine with a friendly service (they have a takeaway/delivery service too).
Local parks
Our closest park - about ten minutes walk. There's a small cafe, aviary, gardens, a children's playground, and views over Wembly from the top of the hill.
58 locals recommend
Roundwood Park
Our closest park - about ten minutes walk. There's a small cafe, aviary, gardens, a children's playground, and views over Wembly from the top of the hill.
A 20 minute walk. Has a good children's playground, and sandpit for younger children. There is a good cafe with ample outdoor seating. There is a small children's petting zoo, tennis courts and pitch and putt course.
201 locals recommend
Queen's Park
A 20 minute walk. Has a good children's playground, and sandpit for younger children. There is a good cafe with ample outdoor seating. There is a small children's petting zoo, tennis courts and pitch and putt course.
Local gems
Our lovely local tennis club. You have to be a member to play but they host a Friday night event from around 5pm that is open to the community. There is most often a BBQ, but it could also be a pizza night, or pop-up, and there is sometimes live music (and bar of course). It's a pleasant spot on our doorstep and they are friendly and welcoming bunch of people. You can check out what's going on on their Instagram page.
Elmwood Lawn Tennis Club
Holland RoadOur lovely local tennis club. You have to be a member to play but they host a Friday night event from around 5pm that is open to the community. There is most often a BBQ, but it could also be a pizza night, or pop-up, and there is sometimes live music (and bar of course). It's a pleasant spot on our doorstep and they are friendly and welcoming bunch of people. You can check out what's going on on their Instagram page.
One of my favourite places in London. The ladies pond is arguably the best swimming pond on Hampstead Heath. You may have to book.
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/where-to-go-at-hampstead-heath/kenwood-ladies-pond
22 locals recommend
Kenwood Ladies' Bathing Pond
One of my favourite places in London. The ladies pond is arguably the best swimming pond on Hampstead Heath. You may have to book.
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/where-to-go-at-hampstead-heath/kenwood-ladies-pond
Another hidden gem: the park, cafe and bar that overlook the Serpentine in Hyde Park with access to the Serpentine Lido. Great views over the Serpentine and generally a quiet retreat. You do have to pay to enter however.
25 locals recommend
Serpentine Lido
Another hidden gem: the park, cafe and bar that overlook the Serpentine in Hyde Park with access to the Serpentine Lido. Great views over the Serpentine and generally a quiet retreat. You do have to pay to enter however.
Lovely place to walk or to just sit and have a coffee or lunch in the lovely Kenwood house cafe/restaurant. You can park up on the roads outside Kenwood House for free.
154 locals recommend
Kenwood House
Lovely place to walk or to just sit and have a coffee or lunch in the lovely Kenwood house cafe/restaurant. You can park up on the roads outside Kenwood House for free.
Local shops
Euro Supermarket Food And Wine
104-108 College RoadProbably your closest local food shop.
Nextdoor to Eurosupermarket - and run by the same family - Kensal Store sells fresh sushi, samosas, curries .... and a range of organic produce.
The Kensal Store
114 College RdNextdoor to Eurosupermarket - and run by the same family - Kensal Store sells fresh sushi, samosas, curries .... and a range of organic produce.