The Boltons

Overview

The Boltons is one of the most expensive residential streets in London, but you can visit for free! The two crescent sides of this street in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea frame a garden in the middle, in a lens shape. The street is at the heart of The Boltons Conservation Area.

The tree-lined avenues are a lovely spot for a peaceful wander in the heart of West London and make for a picturesque subject for photographs. Although you can’t access the gardens unless you’re a resident, you are still free to admire the beauty of the flowers and planting from the outside as you pass by.

This pretty London street is home to 28 grand houses in a range of architectural styles, including Victorian, Georgian, and Edwardian. You’ll even find the odd modern touch thrown in for good measure.

Add The Boltons to a self-guided walking tour of West London alongside other landmarks like the Earl’s Court TARDIS and Garden Court, where Freddie Mercury lived. A self-guided walking tour is a fantastic free way to get to know the area and get your bearings, so we’d recommend doing this early on during your stay.

Who were the famous residents of The Boltons?

As with most expensive streets in London, The Boltons has had its fair share of famous residents. Notable people who have lived on the street include:

Douglas Fairbanks Jr., an American actor and film producer
Sir William Gilbert, one half of the opera duo Gilbert and Sullivan
Queen of pop, Madonna
Novelist and former MP Jeffrey Archer
Jenny Lind, Swedish opera singer
Politician Sir Julian Ridsdale and Dame Paddy Ridsdale (reportedly Ian Fleming’s inspiration for Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond novels)

What makes The Boltons unique?

One thing that makes The Boltons stand out against other exclusive residential areas in London is the vesica (or lens) shape of the two crescents, which is unusual for London garden squares.

What else is near to The Boltons?

The Boltons is in the heart of Chelsea, and so there is plenty to see nearby. Attractions close in the local area include:

The Saatchi Gallery
The Royal Court Theatre
The Chelsea Physic Garden
Battersea Park (free)

The History of The Boltons

It is thought that The Boltons are named after William Bolton, who purchased the land where the street is built in 1795. He sold it twelve years later to the confectioner James Gunter, who passed it on to his son Robert when he died in 1819.

The Boltons were designed by architect George Godwin Jr in 1849, with the church the first building to be erected, followed by the 28 houses. The area where the gardens are now was a farm with grounds that were used as market gardens. The gardens are now Grade II listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.

In the early 1900s, some of the large houses were converted into flats, while others were used as institutions. Numbers 20 and 21 were a convent with a girls’ hostel next door. Many of the properties on the road have now been converted back to one-family houses.

The Boltons Conservation Area was set up in the 70s by the local authority. The purpose was to protect the character and appearance of the area. As well as The Boltons, The Boltons Conservation Area includes:

Gilston Road
Redcliffe Square
Bolton Garden Mews

Most of the homes here have been owned by the same families for years, or even generations, and houses rarely come up for sale.

St Mary’s The Boltons

St Mary’s The Boltons was the first building to be constructed in The Boltons in 1850. It’s a Eucharist-based church that provides a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. They offer a main service on a Sunday, which is open to everyone, as well as a morning and evening prayer service each day.

St Mary’s The Boltons is open daily to visitors and is set within peaceful gardens. The stunning Victorian building is a lovely space to enjoy a moment of calm and tranquillity. The church has a children’s playroom, so it’s ideal for families with young children.

How to get to The Boltons from YHA London Earl’s Court

It’s less than half a mile from YHA London Earl’s Court to The Boltons. The easiest way to get there is by walking or cycling.

On foot: It takes around seven minutes to walk from the Youth Hostel to The Boltons. Turn right onto Bolton Gardens and then right onto Boltons Place, which then becomes The Boltons.

Cycling: Cycling from YHA London Central to The Boltons takes approximately three minutes. The route is the same as on foot.

Driving: It’s just a two-minute drive from the hostel to The Boltons. There is limited on-street parking which is pay and display.