
London is the United Kingdom's capital, a global hub of history, culture and refined living along the Thames. Renting a luxury villa or private townhouse here places you within walking distance of royal palaces, world-class dining and elegant neighbourhoods, with concierge service handling every detail of your stay.
Updated October 2026
- Curated luxury villas and townhouses in Westminster, Notting Hill and Battersea
- Walking distance to Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and the British Museum
- Michelin-starred restaurants and historic dining institutions
- Full concierge service with direct booking, no intermediaries
- World-class theatre, museums and riverside walks year-round
London in pictures
What's on in London
- Late May
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The world's most celebrated flower show transforms the Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds each spring, opening London's summer season. Tickets sell out early, so plan ahead.
- June
Trooping the Colour
The monarch's official birthday parade brings massed bands, cavalry and an RAF flypast to Horse Guards and The Mall. British ceremony at its grandest.
- Late June to mid July
The Championships, Wimbledon
Two weeks of grass-court tennis, strawberries and queue folklore in SW19. A London summer institution worth building a stay around.
- Mid July to mid September
BBC Proms
The world's largest classical music festival fills the Royal Albert Hall nightly for eight weeks, ending with the famous Last Night. Affordable, world-class and quintessentially London.
- August bank holiday weekend
Notting Hill Carnival
Europe's biggest street festival brings Caribbean sound systems, costumed mas bands and a million-strong crowd to west London. Exhilarating, and a private residence nearby makes a calm base.
London through the seasons
- Spring (March – May)
Blossom in the royal parks
Cherry blossom in Greenwich and Regent's Park, Kew Gardens in full flower and café terraces reopening. London at its freshest before the summer rush.
- Summer (June – August)
The season in full swing
Wimbledon, the Proms, open-air theatre and rooftop evenings stack the calendar. A serviced villa or townhouse with outdoor space is gold in these months.
- Autumn (September – October)
Culture returns to the stage
Frieze art fairs, new theatre seasons and golden plane trees along the Thames. Arguably the best-value, best-tempered weeks to visit.
- Winter (November – February)
Lights, shopping and firesides
Oxford Street and Covent Garden glitter, ice rinks open at Somerset House and the January sales follow. Museums and matinees fill short days pleasurably.
All 117 villas in London
Every home in London that can be booked with Smiling House, as a plain list.
- Stylish Townhouse Steps from Euston Station in London
- 1 Min Walk to Euston Station, Modern Apartment
- Elegant Duplex in South Kensington
- 10 Mins Walk to Bond Street, Marylebone Retreat
- 10 Mins Walk to Selfridges, Marylebone Retreat
- 10 Mins Walk to The Oval | The Kennington Retreat
- 2 Mins Walk to The Ritz, Mayfair House
- 3 Mins Walk to Westminster Abbey, Luxury Retreat
- 5 Mins Walk to Moorgate | Tranquil City Retreat
- 6 Mins Walk to Selfridges, Marble Arch Penthouse
- 8 Mins Walk to Selfridges, Marble Arch Mews
- 9 Mins Walk to Selfridges, Marble Arch Studio
- Charming Mews House in Kensington
- Charming Family Home in Wimbledon, London
- Elegant Four Bedroom Villa in England
- Charming Three-Bedroom Retreat in Kensal Green
- Beautiful Marylebone Apartment with Pool & Gym
- Contemporary Urban Retreat in London
- Bird's Eye View Penthouse in Central London
- Canopy Three Bedroom Retreat in England
- Elegant Apartment in Mayfair & Belgravia
- Chic Modern Apartment in London
- Charming Two Bedroom Retreat in Clareville
- Contemporary Three Bedroom Retreat in London
- Contemporary Marylebone with Pool and Gym AC
- Luxurious Town House in Mayfair
- Designer Penthouse in Chobham
- Elegant Three Bedroom Villa in London
- Distinguised 4-bedroom townhouse
- Elegant Family House in Chelsea London
- Elegant Retreat, With Outdoor Space
- Elegant Two Bedroom Apartment in London
- Sunlit Three Bedroom Villa in English Countryside
- Contemporary Four Bedroom Retreat in London
- Family-Friendly Five Bedroom Home in London
- Tranquil Garden Retreat in England
- Elegant Five Bedroom Retreat in London
- Modern Three Bedroom Apartment in London
- Chic Two Bedroom Apartment in London
- Contemporary Two Bedroom Apartment in London
- Charming Three Bedroom Retreat in England
- Charming Terrace Four Bedroom Home in Hampstead
- Elegant Four Bedroom Retreat in Hyde Park
- Elegant Three Bedroom Cottage in England
- Stylish Two Bedroom Apartment in London
- Charming Four Bedroom Retreat in Kew, England
- Large 4-Bed House with a Garden, Fulham
- Elegant Five Bedroom Retreat in England
- Light Show Two Bedroom Retreat in England
- Air-Conditioned Three Bedroom Home in London
- Chic Mews Apartment in Central London
- Elegant Private Villa in London
- Elegant Four-Bedroom Apartment in London
- Chic Mews Retreat in Central London
- Elegant Apartment in London with Casino Access
- Elegant Town House in London
- Stylish Urban Retreat in London
- Elegant Three Bedroom Retreat in England
- Elegant Six Bedroom Villa in Kensington
- Lush Garden Retreat in London
- Cozy One Bedroom Retreat in London
- Charming Studio Apartment in London
- Modern 4BR Home, Ideal for Long Stays & Relocation
- Chic Urban Apartment in Mayfair London
- Modern Comfort, In Leafy London Neighbourhood
- Scenic Countryside Retreat in England
- Offer - Calm Zen Oasis, In Bustling London
- Offer - Park View Retreat, Superb Amenities
- Offer - Showroom Splendour, Luxe London Elegance
- Offer Luxe Italian Elegance, In Chelsea Riverside
- Elegant Four-Bedroom Retreat in London
- Tranquil Four Bedroom Villa in England
- Spacious Seven Bedroom Villa in England
- Stylish Five Bedroom Home in Fulham
- Elegant Three Bedroom Flat in London
- Elegant Three Bedroom Retreat in Chelsea
- Rooftop Terrace Three Bedroom Villa in England
- Minimalist Three Bedroom Retreat in London
- Contemporary Four Bedroom Retreat in England
- Charming Mews Retreat Near Hyde Park in London
- Classic Two Bedroom Apartment in London
- Chic Urban Residence in London
- Elegant Two Bedroom Villa in Central London
- Serviced Studio Flat near Camden Euston Station
- Serviced Studio Flat near London Northern Line
- Stylish Three Bedroom Apartment in London
- Charming Mews Retreat in South Kensington
- Spacious 3BR Knightsbridge Apartment
- Contemporary Five Bedroom Villa in England
- Charming Four Bedroom Retreat in Sloane Square
- Stylish Apartment Next to Westfield Mall
- Stylish London Home With Private Garage
- Stylish Studio in Golders Green, Central Location
- Super Trendy Penthouse, Panoramic Park Views
- Charming Three Bedroom Apartment in London
- The 1788 Wood-Panelled Townhouse - Hampstead Heath
- Terrace Penthouse with City Views in London
- Elegant Four Bedroom Villa in London
- Garden Oasis Villa in England
- Charming Four Bedroom Retreat in England
- Elegant Two Bedroom Sanctuary in London
- Chic Three Bedroom Retreat in Central London
- Luxurious Four Bedroom Escape in Mayfair
- Elegant Five-Bedroom Townhouse in Kensington
- Charming Four Bedroom Home in London
- Chic One Bedroom Maisonette in London
- Single-Level Family Villa in Marylebone & Fitzrovia
- Elegant Three Bedroom Retreat in London
- The Rosebery Retreat
- Stylish Five Bedroom House in West London
- Charming Three Bedroom Retreat in Rural England
- Vintage Chic Villa in England
- Wembley 2BR Apartment with free parking
- Modern Two Bedroom Retreat in Westbourne, England
- White Elegant Tranquility, Park Side Life
- Wimbledon Wildflower
- Rustic Wood Retreat in England
Smiling House also offers a concierge for private chefs, transfers, ski instructors, yachts and cars, a VIP Club with first access to new residences and member rates, chalets for sale in the Gstaad region through its real estate division and instantly bookable homes with live availability.
The Area
London rewards those who explore on foot. Begin at the ceremonial heart around Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, then follow the Thames past Tower Bridge, the London Eye and the historic Tower of London. Culture runs deep here: the British Museum, the National Gallery and Tate Modern anchor a city that takes art seriously. Between the landmarks, distinctive neighbourhoods give each visit its character, from the boutiques of Notting Hill to the markets of Covent Garden and the creative streets of Shoreditch. When the pace becomes too much, the green expanses of Hyde Park, Regent's Park and Greenwich offer quiet retreat within minutes of the centre.
Where to Stay
Our curated collection of luxury villas in London spans the city's most coveted addresses. The City of Westminster places you among royal parks, embassies and grand period architecture, ideal for first-time visitors who want everything within reach. Notting Hill offers pastel townhouses, antique shops along Portobello Road and a village-like calm minutes from the centre. Battersea has emerged as a riverside favourite, blending restored power-station landmarks with contemporary residences and easy Thames-side walks. Each private home is selected for space, design and discretion, supported by concierge service that arranges everything from chauffeurs and private chefs to theatre tickets and restaurant reservations.
Things to Do
Few cities offer such density of experience. Tour the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, lose an afternoon in the British Museum, or browse Portobello Road's antique stalls on a Saturday morning. The Thames invites a different perspective: take a river cruise past the city's landmarks, kayak its waters or stroll the towpaths of Regent's Canal. Theatre lovers have the West End and the Globe; tennis fans plan around Wimbledon. London's calendar stays full, from the Caribbean colour of Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's largest street festival, to the runway moments of London Fashion Week. Your concierge can secure access to events that often sell out months ahead.
Dining & Nightlife
London's table is one of the world's most cosmopolitan. Sketch dazzles with Michelin-starred cooking and theatrical interiors, Dishoom serves Bombay-inspired plates in a buzzing room, and Rules, the city's oldest restaurant, keeps British classics like game pies and roasts gloriously alive. After dinner, the choice spans centuries: raise a glass at the flower-clad Churchill Arms, ascend to Aqua Shard for panoramic views from The Shard, or dance at The Piano Works, where live bands play late. A private chef can also bring the city's flavours straight to your villa for a quieter evening in.
When to Visit
London is a year-round city, but each season has its mood. Late spring through early autumn, from May to September, brings the longest days, alfresco dining and the bulk of the outdoor calendar, including Wimbledon in July and Notting Hill Carnival in late August. Autumn quiets the crowds while galleries and theatres hit their stride. December transforms the city with festive lights, ice rinks and Christmas markets, making it a magical time for a private home. Winter days are short and often grey, but interiors glow and reservations are easier to come by.
Getting There
London is among the world's best-connected cities. Heathrow (LHR) handles long-haul and international flights, with the Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express reaching the centre quickly. London City Airport (LCY) sits closest to the financial district for short European hops, while Gatwick, Stansted and Luton serve budget and charter routes. The Eurostar links London to Paris and Brussels in a few hours. Within the city, the Underground, black cabs and walkable neighbourhoods make moving around effortless. Your concierge can arrange private chauffeurs and airport transfers so arrival and departure remain seamless.





