What to know about Kensal Rise, Kensal Green and Queen’s Park

Located in the North West of London, Kensal Green, or Kensal Rise as it is also known, can be found in the Borough of Brent and is

bordered by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the City of Westminster borough. While the terms Kensal Green and Kensal Rise tend to be used interchangeably by those outside of NW10, locals tend to differentiate the two by proximity to the local tube and train stations! The Queen’s Park area falls to the east of Kensal Rise and lies in the City of Westminster and Brent Council.

The green, open space of Queen’s Park itself has to be the most well known feature of the area. Originally developed to accommodate the Royal Agricultural Society annual show in 1879, the event was later moved to Twyford after major losses were incurred, and the remaining 30 acres of land became the Queen’s Park that we now know and love. Nowadays, Queen’s Park offers numerous amenities and leisure facilities including various sporting services such as six all-weather tennis courts, a pitch and putt course, and a pétanque pitch, while there are also children’s facilities such as an animal farm, playground, paddling pool and a café for the parents.

A well known export from Queen’s Park is, of course, Queen’s Park Rangers Football Club, given its name as most of the original players came from the area surrounding Queen’s Park, although nowadays the team play moments down the road in Shepherd’s Bush.

For a rather different claim to fame, Kensal Green is renowned for being home to one of the oldest English cemeteries still to be in operation. Kensal Green Cemetery boasts 77 acres of beautiful, green grounds that now offer a habitat to 33 species of birds and wildlife after its consecration in 1833. Covering two conservation areas, Kensal Green Cemetery adjoins the pretty area surrounding the Grand Union Canal and presents an impressive range of memorials that dominate the landscape. A rich history can be told from the vast selection of monuments from the grand mausoleums of the wealthy and famous to the more humble and discrete smaller graves and, with three chapels in the grounds, multi faiths are also catered for.

The numerous, well known residents of Kensal Rise and Queen’s Park include, amongst others, James Bond’s Daniel Craig, Vogue’s Alexandra Shulman, Thandie Newton, Jade Jagger, and Zadie Smith.

Property types in Kensal Rise, Kensal Green and Queen’s Park

Having been largely overlooked during the redevelopment that took place in London between the 1950s and 1970s, Kensal Rise, Kensal Green and Queen’s Park managed to retain many of its Edwardian and Victorian properties and they stand today with many of the period features in tact.
Now a designated Conservation Area, Queen’s Park offers a vast selection of Victorian and Edwardian houses that are now arranged as semi-detached houses and terraced buildings with numerous, attractive period conversion properties.

So, what else can you expect from Kensal Rise, Kensal Green and Queens Park?

Kensal Rise, Kensal Green and Queen’s Park offer an established community spirit and, as such, there are numerous activities and amenities to keep you busy. Queen’s Park’s Salusbury Road is a popular choice for the numerous award winning pubs and restaurant that it offers as well as many small boutiques and delicious delis! For the weekly Queen’s Park Farmers’ Market held every Sunday, head to the grounds of Salusbury Primary School on Salusbury Road for a taste of locally grown produce and a wide selection of organic produce.

As a popular, local gastro pub on Kensal Lane, Paradise by Way of Kensal Green takes its name from a well known poem by Chesterton, and offers a quirky and kitsch environment and a seasonal menu using locally sourced ingredients. Alternatively, the chandeliers, Chesterfield armchairs and roasting fires of The Regent Pub make this a cosy environment to enjoy the hearty food and drink on offer. And its claim to fame, the building lies on the site of the original Kensal Green!

Green spaces in Kensal Rise, Kensal Green and Queen’s Park

With Queen’s Park offering the most substantial area of green, open space there are also numerous additional green areas around Kensal Green and Kensal Rise. Whilst including Brondesbury Park, Wormwood Scrubs, Meanwhile Gardens and Kensal Green itself, the leisure facilities of the Paddington Recreational Centre are also just a short walk away.

Transport in Kensal Rise, Kensal Green and Queen’s Park

There are excellent transport links in Kensal Rise, Kensal Green and Queen’s Park including London Underground services from the following stations:-

Queen’s Park (Bakerloo Line, Zone 2)
Kensal Green (Bakerloo Line, Zone 2)
Ladbroke Grove (Circle and Hammersmith & City Lines, Zone 2)
Willesden Junction (Bakerloo, Zone 2)

Click here for an Underground Map

London Overground services can also be found at:-

Brondesbury Park Station
Kensal Rise
Willesden Junction Station

There is also a good selection of bus routes in the Kensal Rise, Kensal Green and Queen’s Park area.

Which London Boroughs are Kensal Rise, Kensal Green and Queen’s Park in?

Kensal Rise and Kensal Green are in the Borough of Brent. Please click here for more information.

Queen’s Park is not only covered by the Borough of Brent but also the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. For more information about the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, please click here.

How can I find out about schools in the Kensal Rise and Kensal Green area?

For a comprehensive list of schools in the Borough of Brent, please click here.

How can I find out about schools in the Queen's Park area?

For a comprehensive list of schools in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea please click here.