Gloucester Rd

Gloucester Road is the best value in SW7. It sits between South Kensington and Earls Court, on the same lines as both, and costs less than either.

Where it is

Gloucester Road station carries the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines, which is an unusually good set for one stop. Knightsbridge is two stops east, Heathrow is direct, and Hyde Park is a ten minute walk north.

Why it is worth knowing

It is the postcode people overlook. The address is SW7 exactly as South Kensington is, the transport is better than either neighbour, and the hourly rate sits a clear step below Knightsbridge for a journey difference measured in minutes.

Who works here

A strong Russian and East European presence, in the same mould as the postcodes east of it but at rates that have not climbed the same way.

Booking here

Incall predominantly, and the transport makes outcall straightforward in either direction. A sensible first choice if you want a central address without the central premium.

What the flats are like

A mix of mansion blocks and converted terraces, on quiet residential streets a minute or two off the main road. The station sits at the centre of it, so nothing here involves a long walk from the tube.

What it costs

From around £250. Set that against £400 two stops east and the case makes itself, particularly for a longer booking where the difference compounds.

Worth knowing before you ring

This area works well for Heathrow arrivals. The Piccadilly line runs direct, so if you are in for a night rather than staying centrally it is a sensible base to book around.

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