Living-room, wooden floors, comfortable furniture, gorgeous views across London.
Location: Other London Properties, London, England, Europe (Mary Poppins flat, Islington, 5 stops to St. Pancras Intn'l)
Accommodations: Apartment, 1 Bedroom + Convertible bed(s), 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-4)
Keywords: Apartment, Flat, Condo
Still a few weeks left in Jan-March time slot at the last-minute special rate - 500 GBP per week and 110 GBP for each night over 7, or 140 GBP per night for 3 night minimum, 125 GBP per night for 4-6 nights. Take advantage of the professional Premier League football season now underway - tickets are always available - the Opera and Ballet at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, and professional theatre in London's West End. You can even purchase half-price tickets for theatre shows at the Half-Price Ticket Booth in Leicester Square every day. All these events are a short distance from the flat.
Live like a Londoner in a stylish and comfortable flat at the top of a Victorian mansion block in a real London neighbourhood. From every window you can see the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, Canary Wharf, and the Houses of Parliament. Run downstairs for a paper, and breakfast over The Times or Guardian as you imagine Mary Poppins sweeping past, watch Londoners rushing to work in the street below, check the skyline for weather conditions (it can rain in London on a moment's notice), lazily planning your day's excursion using the myriad of guide books and maps on hand in the flat.
And please do not neglect to think about a day-trip to Paris - the brand new St. Pancras International station, home to the longest champagne bar in Europe, is 5 short stops away from the flat. Take an early-morning train, be in Paris by mid-morning, have lunch and dinner there, and be back by nightfall. And the flat is 2 minutes from the tube when you arrive back in your neighbourhood.
The flat is like a theatre set in so many ways, and is the kind of place where you can play any dramatic role you like. A painter spent a month there recently, capturing the London skyline with her brush, a writer found his creative juices to be flowing when he put fingers to keyboard and turned out an article which has been accepted for publication. A Los Angeles film producer found it to be the perfect place in which to woo potential investors, romantics continue to love the sensuality of the flat, and families refer to it simply as 'The Mary Poppins Flat' - you will see why when you view the photos.
Guest book comments have been: "After a week of travelling, we finally arrived here - it was such a surprise! Serene, comfortable, well appointed, and most of all, very, very thoughtfully presented & created. We loved our stay here & will remember it ....; The flat is amazing, it's very comfortable and made us feel right at home....; Everything was bright and full of light, very relaxing ....; ."
Comfortable, queen-size bedroom, top floor apartment. Ideal for a family of four, two couples, corporate travelers, visiting academics, or those working in London on a short-term basis. We can arrange to have a cab meet you at the airport for much less than a black cab will cost you. Once you arrive, you are on top of the world and can relax with a complimentary basket of nourishing snacks before setting out into one of the most exciting cities in the world!
The apartment occupies one third of the top floor of a Victorian "mansion block" only two minutes from one of the most convenient tube lines, the Northern Line. The station is Archway in Zone Two, and is just four stops from the major hub Euston Station, and just seven stops from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Circus and West End theatres in the heart of London - only 12 minutes by tube. Location, location, location... featured prominently in the choice of this flat purchase.
But location was not everything. The feeling of peace and tranquility upon opening the front door is overpowering in this flat. For one thing, it is on the fifth (top) floor of an absolutely gorgeous building, and is completely quiet. Apartment has Wireless High-Speed Internet, and a wonderful sound system which works with your MP3 player, iPod, or the music on your computer.
The light wooden floors and partly open-plan style give it a London loft feel. Combine this with ultra-modern dome-shaped windows, wonderful natural light by day, beautiful lighting at night, light-coloured decor, and comfortable furniture, and you have the perfect setting for relaxation following a busy day of either work or pleasure.
The bed is American queen-size (British king-size) and oh-so-comfortable, and the sofa-bed in the living room is a generous double. There are ample closets, and a wonderful power shower, and bathtub in which to relax. Cooking in the well-equipped kitchen (including microwave) is easy, efficient, and fun.
There is a huge grocery store directly across the street, a wine store downstairs, dry cleaner across the street, and several restaurants and pubs in the area, including Dick Whittington's pub.
Legend has it that Dick Whittington, a poor country boy, came to London with his cat seeking his fortune in 1350. When he reached Highgate Hill, he lost heart and turned to go back home. Then he heard the bells of London ringing out saying "Turn again, Dick Whittington, three times Lord Mayor of London."
He came back to London, became a Mercer, and did indeed become London's Lord Mayor three times. Just up the street is a statue of Dick and his cat, on the grounds of the Whittington Hospital in the beautiful green space of Whittington Park.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer : I purchased a brand new washer, an excellent German make, in January 2009. It is such a joy!
- Dryer : The English dry their clothes in the 'airing cupboard' or on the 'drying rack'. This is because English combination washer/dryers do not work well, often taking 4 hours to complete a cycle. Therefore, we prefer the airing cupboard.
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking : There are a number of free parking spaces on the side streets near the flat.
- Gas Fireplace : Lovely, original fireplace, but unable to have fires in building. Beautiful ambiance, though.
- Beds
- Queen Bed : Extremely comfortable, American-designed and built bed with best-quality mattress. The British bed size for this bed is king.
- Convertible Bed : Comfortable bed (Not the kind with a bar in your back!), and 2 single duvets for those who do not really want to sleep with brother/sister/friend - you can wrap yourself in it and feel you are sleeping by yourself. This is the European way!
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV : We now have Cable/Satellite on the TV, which is a total upgrade from the 5 channels we have had in the past. Now you can watch your favourite sports, fabulous British comedies, drama of all sorts, reality TV, and the best of news channels.
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator : I want my guests to know I have purchased a brand new fridge, an excellent quality German make. I did this in July 2009.
- Dishwasher : Lovely Bosch dishwasher, ideal for the flat.
- Microwave
- View/Location
- Monument View : You can see for miles across the London sky, including the Dome of St. Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye, Canary Wharf, and the BT Tower, for starters.
- Communications
- Telephone : You are welcome to use this phone, and local calls are free. Calls to the US and Canada are only 2 pence per minute, and I am happy to pay for these.
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : The internet is the fastest available in London, which means it is fast.
- Other Amenities
- Secured Wireless Broadband High-Speed Internet Connection, Wireless Sound System for MP3 Player, IPod or to listen to music on your Computer - please bring your own laptop and MP3 Player/IPod, Fireplace (non-working), Modern Flat Screen TV, Iron, Ironing Board, Hairdryer, Washer/Dryer, Dishwasher
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Shopping
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Restaurants
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Professional theatre in the West End cannot be surpassed, the Opera at Covent Garden is fantastic, and Premier League professional Football (American and Canadian soccer) games are held throughout London on a regular basis. All this is so easy to access from the flat.
Rate Details (In Pounds Sterling)
Jan - March: £500/wk, 3-night minimum = £140 per night, 4-6 nights = £125/night
Regular: 7 nights £600, 3-night min = £150/nt, 4-6 nights = £135/night
A Security Deposit is required, to be refunded following departure.
There is a Cleaning Fee of an extra £70.
We accept PayPal, or you can do a wire transfer, British pounds sterling
Check-in time 3 pm, check-out 10 am
Special rates for return visitors
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2004
I am a Canadian academic who loves London - my area is eighteenth-century British history. I bought the flat so that I could live there and research during one of my sabbaticals. It has been a little bit of heaven now and then for my family and me to be able to stay there. However, more often than not, we cannot be there, and it is a pleasure to be able to communicate with so many wonderful people to help them set up their visits, and to share my Mary Poppins flat with others.
Why the Owner Chose Other London Properties
This was the perfect flat for me - it is only 4 stops from King's Cross, is only 1 1/2 minutes from the tube station, is in a real London neighbourhood with an art college beside it, and when the real estate agent opened the door to the flat for the first time, I stared in wonder at the incredible views - never had I seen such a sight. And to this day, when I turn the key in the door and open it, I smile at the beauty of the flat and am in awe of the view. The flat has a wonderfully peaceful, serene feel, and is in an aesthetically pleasing Victorian mansion block.
The Unique Benefits of this Apartment
I love lifting my head slightly off the pillow in the morning to check out the colour of the sky, and the glow of the sun on the rooftops or the pounding of the rain on the windows. I love dressing quickly and running downstairs to purchase a London Times at the newsstand below, I love running back upstairs to make my coffee, sipping it at the kitchen table while I watch the Londoners below moving briskly toward the tube as they head into work. I love finishing breakfast and loading the half-size, but excellent quality dishwasher. I love joining the throng of Londoners on the tube as I make my way to the theatre and museums. I love the sights and sounds of the city as experienced in the flat; I love the restaurants on the same block as the flat – 2 of them (Mediterranean and Italian) brand new and always busy, and all the amenities in the neighbourhood.
Property Photos
-
- Living-room, wooden floors, comfortable furniture, gorgeous views across London. - London Apartment
-
- Living-room with fireplace, Persian rug & wooden floors, Sofa bed, TV. - London Apartment
-
- Living-room and foyer, comfortable chair & sofa, door to outside of flat. - London Apartment
-
- Entry foyer, kilim rug, fridge, microwave, washer, hallway to bath & bedroom.
-
- Kitchen, dishwasher under counter, inset stove, oven, hardwood counter tops.
-
- View toward Thames. Kitchen table opens out to seat 6-8.
-
- Warm, inviting bedroom, queen-size bed, down duvet, twinkling lights of London
-
- Bathroom with inset lighting, white tile, power shower and generous bathtub.
-
- Red brick mansion block, slate tile roof, flat on top floor overlooking London.
-
- View toward Highgate from living-room dome-shaped window.
-
- Street scene from bedroom dome-shaped window, including Whittington Hospital.
-
- The London Eye on the south bank of the Thames can be seen from all the windows.
-
- London Eye pod-it takes the wheel 35 minutes to make a complete revolution.
-
- The world-famous Dome of St. Paul's Cathedral can also be seen from the windows.
-
- London Eye, 31/12/09, but from the flat, the sky was a full 180° of sheer drama!
Traveler Reviews (55)
Perfect Location!!
Guest: Barbie
(Spain)
Date of Stay: 12/26/11
Review Submitted: 01/11/12
Our family of 4 spent 6 glorious days in the flat and it was perfect! In the mornings, my husband and I would sip coffee at the kitchen table, enjoying beautiful views of the city, and plan our day (while our 2 teenage daughters snoozed away!) Armed with the city map, the Tube map and the bus map, we'd organize our schedule starting at the Archway station, which is a hub for buses and the Tube, and literally a 5 minute walk from the flat. PERFECT! By the 3rd day, we felt like old pros! The bus/tube system is so easy to follow. Some of the Tube lines were closed for improvements during our stay, but the bus system more than made up for it. The people at Archway were so helpful in directing us! Plus, you can see more of the city on the bus AND we got to hear lots of new languages!! The flat itself was so comfortable and the neighborhood is darling. We had delicious Persian food right across the street on our first night. We also hit a few of the local pubs and a cute coffee shop that had just opened up. There is a grocery store across the street which is ideal for little things you find you need, such as wine or English chocolate! We HIGHLY recommend the Burrough Market. A word of advice: GO HUNGRY. The market itself is stunning, but the food they are serving up there is incredible. Try the Lamb Bap and the Toasted Cheese sandwich!! We included it in our day with the Imperial War Museum, as they are pretty close to each other. Our trip to London was spectacular, because it's such a great city, but having the flat to come "home" to really made a difference. We were so comfortable and rested and ready to go!! We were delighted to know that the Tube goes all the way to Heathrow from Archway (with one change--no big deal). It only took us about an hour and a half to get there--a nice relaxing ride. We will certainly be back!
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway.
Wonderful retreat
Guest: Jennifer H.
(Durham, NC, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/18/11
Review Submitted: 01/03/12
I read all the other wonderful reviews of this property, and they are all true. We had a fantastic time in London and a large part of that was that we were able to come home to this charming and comfortable flat. The windows offer an amazing view of the city (the Eye and St. Marks are plainly visible) and you feel very private because you are up so high. The stairs were the stairs, but I could feel myself getting in better shape over the course of the week. You just want to plan your outings so that you're not running back and forth all the time. We brought in food or cooked most nights and were in bed by 9, reading and looking out at London. The welcome basket was extremely useful. There was fruit and a loaf of bread, among other goodies. We went to the convenient Sainsbury's grocery and picked up some Nutella and butter and ate breakfast in every day. This saved us money and that feeling of waking up and wondering where we would go to eat. The fish & chips across the street had great, fresh fish and we didn't get to the Italian place because of the holiday. The kebab down the street place was not that good but we ordered a curry from a place in Highgate that delivered, and it was great. We also picked up lots of food at Marks & Spencer and made ourselves a Christmas feast, which was lots of fun. Overall, the flat was fully worth the price and provided a great sanctuary for us. If you want to live in a real London neighborhood and don't mind climbing some stairs to get a view, this place is wonderful!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
Experience The Real London
Guest: Nancy and Bob
(Millburn, New Jersey, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/28/11
Review Submitted: 10/03/11
My wife, my teenage son and I just returned from London and had a wonderful 4 days at "The Mary Poppins Penthouse". We experienced London the way Londoners do. The immaculately clean flat is located in an honest-to-goodness London working neighborhood. You are not going to bump into many tourists, but God knows, after spending a day in Central London the last thing you want to see at the end of the day is more of your fellow tourists! The flat has everything you will need...comfy beds, sofa, chairs, great shower with plenty of hot water, towels, etc. The fully equipped kitchen is sunny, small and functional including a washing machine, dish washer, and plenty of glassware and dishes. (the fridge is your standard small unit, found everywhere in the UK). The neighborhood is wonderful. We arrived late at night and hungry. We looked out the window and saw a small fish and chips restaurant. These nice people were getting ready to close but stayed open to make three more fish and chips dinners just for us. They were so pleasant. The bottom floor of the apartment building has a convenience store that is open until 2:30 AM! The friendly owner greets you at the door and will remember you each time you come back. The shop sells beer and wine in case you want to just kick back in the flat at the end of the day. Prices were very reasonable. Down the block is a supermarket for anything you might need. (closes at 11PM). There is a laundromat on the way to the Underground where you can drop off and pick up. The Tube is about a three block walk. There are fast food restaurants near it in case you can't get through the day without KFC. The neighborhood has restaurants of a variety of cuisines as well as a number of pubs to slake your terrible thirst. Lynn will cover every detail about the flat in an email to you before you arrive and there is a "bible" of information on the kitchen counter. Take notice when she says to pack small suitcases! I packed a large bag and felt like Sir Edmund Hillary by the time I reached the flat on the 6th floor! Lynn's friends Cathy and Paul greeted us to answer questions and hand over the keys. They were good sports to stay late due to our delayed flight. A snack of fruit, cheese, crackers and cookies will be waiting for you. We absolutely recommend staying here. Live like a Londoner for a week and have fun! Thanks again Lynn for a terrific holiday.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, families with young children, romantic getaway.
wonderful stay in charming flat
Guest: Veronica
(Vancouver Island, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/14/11
Review Submitted: 09/03/11
We had such a delightful stay in Lynn's charming London flat. It was our favourite place to stay on our trip to Britain, such a wonderful view!! (the climb up the stais is worth it!) great light, spacious layout and interesting details and only a five minute walk to the Archway tube station. My daughter kept saying to me that this was her idea of the perfect apartment. (And it did just look like the photos!) And it was so easy to book, a friendly, straightforward process (the easiest process of the three VRBO's we booked this trip, the other two were managed by professional letting companies) and the welcome goodies were another nice touch. A definite recommendation!
Recommended for:Sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Excellent place to stay
Guest: Corey & Susan
(Rochester, Minnesota USA)
Date of Stay: 06/09/11
Review Submitted: 08/18/11
We stayed at this clean, comfortable flat for our entire two-week visit to London. The views towards the center of London are well worth the flights of stairs. The proximity to public transportation (less than a five-minute walk to the nearest Tube station), a grocery store, and some nice restaurants make it a convenient home base. Our e-mail communications with the owner, prior to our trip, were a valuable resource for making the most of our time there. We would definitely stay here again!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
An absolutely superb flat
Guest: Andrea
(Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Date of Stay: 01/23/11
Review Submitted: 03/01/11
My husband, two teenage kids and I spent the last week in January in Lynn´s marvellous flat. It is exactly as it looks in the photos. It is very nicely decorated, very well appointed and very well maintained. The furniture and household appliances are all new and work wonderfully. It is very clean and the linen fresh. We spent a great time there and loved coming home late in the evening to relax in such a cozy and welcoming flat. We enjoyed having breakfast looking over the window. What a beautiful view!!!! Even though it was freezing outside, the flat was so warm we were in T-shirt inside!! Lynn is a wonderful host, she gives such good advice on absolutely everything, directions to the flat, what luggage to carry, how to pay via pay pal, etc. In the flat there are a lot of guides on day trips which proved us very helpful . We even got a welcome basket with chocolate, fruit, bread, cheese, milk and biscuits!! Walking past the hospital, there´s a beautiful park on the way to Highgate Village. I recommend having a stroll around it. Oh, Lynn we loved your flat and we´ll definitely go back in the future!!
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Good location and brilliantly helpful owner
Guest: Doctor Awesome
(London)
Date of Stay: 02/09/11
Review Submitted: 02/20/11
I stayed here for about a week while I was relocating to London. Location is excellent for food, transport and a gym. Views of the city are genuinely superb and pretty rare to have here. The welcome by the owner is brilliant and I can't emphasise enough how helpful she is both with general advice on the city and in terms of making the most of your stay. There are quite a lot of steps to climb to get to the apartment. And the first time you do it, you'll probably be a little shocked. But honestly it's nothing to worry about because you get used to it immediately. And when you see the view, you'll realise what the stairs were about :)
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Enjoyed it!
Guest: Sue
(North Carolina)
Date of Stay: 12/18/10
Review Submitted: 12/28/10
Our Christmas in London was delightful! Despite the snow and the cold, we enjoyed venturing out every day, taking in as much as we could. The flat was a comfortable "home base" as it is convenient to the tube as well as buses. Grocery stores located nearby provided all we needed, and then some! The great description as well as helpful information from Lynn and Catherine let us to know what to expect. We would recommend this property to others! Cheers!
Recommended for:Sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway.
Our London home!!!
Guest: Amy & Monica
(Cleveland, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 10/30/10
Review Submitted: 11/10/10
We loved the flat so much, we pretended it was ours and wished it truly was!! We wanted the authentic experience of living in London (even if for only a week) and it was perfect! We shopped at the grocery store across the street, dropped off dry cleaning and stopped in the corner internet cafe... just like home! The tube stop was extremely easy and the neighborhood was a great cultural mix. And the flat.... what can we say... it was EXACTLY like the photos. At night we melted into the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. A true sanctuary with a Mary Poppins view of London! Lynn was extremely helpful as was Catherine who met us at the apartment. Yes, it is six floors up by steps... but that only justified all the decadent food we allowed ourselves to eat on vacation!! Thanks so much Lynn, we will definitely stay at your home again! Amy & Monica - Cleveland, Ohio
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Wonderful Home Away from Home
Guest: Oxymoron
(Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/22/10
Review Submitted: 10/24/10
My wife and I called this lovely flat "home" for a full month in September-October of 2010. Unlike some of the places listed on VRBO, it was exactly as described -- well-equipped, well-located, and well-priced. The Tube is five minutes away, small grocery stores and market stalls line nearby Holloway Road and Junction Road, and excellent local ethnic restaurants (both eat-in and take-away) are abundant. For those who enjoy walking, beautiful Hampstead Heath is close by, as are several smaller parks filled with strolling parents, prams, and puppies. The neighbourhood itself is a wonderful cultural mix that makes for excellent people-watching, and we felt safe and welcome everywhere we went. Perhaps the flat's greatest asset is its owner. Not only does Lynn handle the business end of things professionally, she also is unfailingly generous in sharing her knowledge of London and insight into the ordinary needs and concerns of travellers. If we could have afforded to stay longer at the flat, we would have done so in an instant. We wouldn't hesitate to rent it again, and wholeheartedly recommend that you give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+.
First (10) of (55). View all Reviews | Write a Review
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #52647
There have been visitors to this page since the counter was
last reset in .
This listing was first published here in 2005.
Date last modified - Sunday, January 22, 2012
