Why I live in West Kensington: Skincare expert Caroline Hirons on why she's 'west London or die'

I love it here because everything is on your doorstep. It’s not central but it’s as close as you can get to central London.

Zone 2 is my happy place. I’m west London or die. I was in West Kensington for 30 years but moved a bit further west, towards Shepherd’s Bush, last year as we needed more space.

In West Kensington I lived on a through road, but here it’s very quiet and like living in the country. It’s also one of the most culturally diverse areas.

Eating and Drinking

When I’m in the office, we get lunch at Green Valley. It’s an awesome spot. It’s a huge health shop, near Holland Park, but it also does great chips and kebabs. I also like Café de Fred on Earl’s Court Road for its baked potatoes.

For dinner, I often get meatballs from Crazy for Pasta on North End Road. I tried it as an off-chance and loved it. I’m trying to look after my health at the moment, but the meatballs really sustain you.

I also like Il Portico, a fancy Italian on the main road in West Ken. It’s very expensive but great for a special occasion. Next door is a nail salon called Vy’s Nails — that’s such a classic London thing — the cheap next to the expensive.

I’m not a big boozer — I’m a homebody — and I tend just to open the door out to my garden, so I don’t really go out drinking. If I’m with the team though, we go to The Scarsdale Tavern, behind our office, or you’re spoilt for choice for local pubs on Kensington High Street.

Where I work out

I used to be at the ROAR gym on Kensington High Street but then my trainer left, and I followed him to a smaller private gym on the same road.

To commune with nature

London has the best parks in the world and Holland Park has been my staple for the last 30 years — I walk through it and know all the best spots.

I also sit outside in my garden; we’re renting but the landlord put in lots of greenery and some palm trees.

Grocery shopping

There’s Sainsburys, the Co-op and M&S. If I’m having a nice lunch, I’ll get a Whole Foods salmon, but you’d be bankrupt if you did that every day!

Culture fix

How I know my way around London is by gigs. I’m going to the Shepherd’s Bush Empire to see Crowded House and I can walk home now, which I’ve never been able to do before.

I’ve been lucky to see loads of great gigs — George Michael and Duran Duran at Earls Court and I was there at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in 2003 when the Chicks criticised George W Bush for his invasion of Iraq. I want to go to gigs while I’m still bendy enough.

We’re a media/culture-absorbing family and we’re also into football. My husband supports Chelsea and my son supports Fulham. West London is the best for football.

Getting around

Central London is 10 to 15 minutes away on the Central line. I joke that if I go past Covent Garden, my tag goes off. Everything east of there for me is Essex.

If you’re driving, it’s quick to get out of London on the Westway. My office is 10 minutes away and I usually get a cab because I’m carrying a lot of stuff, or it’s 15 minutes if you’re walking.

I walk most places and would walk everywhere if I could, but I don’t get the bus as I don’t like the stopping and starting.

Dream street

I’m living in it! It’s so quiet here and the neighbours are all so nice. I did 30 years on a main thoroughfare, so I love it. Melbury Road is nearby and where Robbie Williams and the stars all live.

Something you only see in West Kensington

The views. We’re quite high up here and on the Westway you’re elevated; there’s Wembley on one side and Brentford on the other. I can see the red sign of Westfield from my house.

What’s the catch?

The negative for me for 30 years was the parking. In our new house, there’s strict parking, so I can usually park outside.

In three words

Eclectic, busy, green.

⬤ Caroline Hirons’s new podcast Glad We Had This Chat is available to download and listen to on all podcast platforms now

Schools

For primaries, West Kensington Academy, Avonmore Primary School and The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School are all rated outstanding by Ofsted, and there are several well-regarded independent prep schools locally.

For secondary, Sacred Heart High School is outstanding and William Morris Sixth Form is good.

What it costs

Buying in West Kensington

Average flat price: £745,232

Average house price: £2,221,445

Renting in West Kensington

Average flat price, pcm: £2,699

Average house price, pcm: £4,771

Source: Hamptons & Land Registry