Special Rate for Fall/Winter: Penthouse 'Mary Poppins' Flat Other London Properties, London Vacation Rental by Owner Listing 52647

Living-room, wooden floors, comfortable furniture, gorgeous views across London.

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Location: Other London Properties, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe (Mary Poppins flat, Islington, 5 stops to St. Pancras Intn'l)

Accommodations:  Apartment, 1 Bedroom + Convertible bed(s), 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-4)

Last-minute special for November 27-December 8, December 17-26, 2009, and January and February 2010: 525 GBP per week, or 100 GBP per night, 5-night minimum. The calendar is up-to-date, and so if you would like to book other dates at the regular rate, please have a look.

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 (footnote: google.ca/Dick Whittington). 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

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• Amenities
  • Washer
  • 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
  • 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
  • Convertible Bed: Comfortable bed (Not the kind with a bar in your back!)
• 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
  • Dishwasher
  • 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 usually absorb these.
  • Broadband Internet
  • WiFi (Wireless Internet)
• Other Amenities
  • 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, please
• Suitability
  • No Pets Allowed
  • Smoking Not Allowed
• Activities (on site and nearby)
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing
  • Restaurants
  • Cinemas/Movie Theaters
  • Live Theatre
  • Museums

Rate Details (In Pounds Sterling)

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Personal Currency Assistant™

£525-550/wk, or £100/nt
Special rates for return visitors - 10% off regular rate.
A Security Deposit is required, to be refunded following departure.
There is a Cleaning Fee of an extra £55.
5-nt minimum stay, unless there are fewer nts available
We accept PayPal, or you can do a wire transfer, British pounds sterling
Check-in time 3 pm, check-out 10 am

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

Property Photos

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Guest Comments (40)

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• 06/11/09
  Positive Rating
  Lynn, Debbie & Liam , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • This was our first trip to London and what a trip it was! We all fell in love with the city and we all fell in love with this wonderful flat. We made very good use of the tube and all of the very conveniently located shops and restaurants. We actually fooled ourselves into thinking that we were real Londoners as it is impossible to feel like a tourist when you have such a lovely, well-appointed home to call your own. A true gem!
• 04/29/09
  Positive Rating
  Steve & Jo Pielocik , Glenside PA US
  • Agree with everything the prior commenter says. We stayed in Lynn's flat for two weeks and it was a delightful experience in all respects. Living like real Londoners in a well-equipped flat in a vibrant, diverse neighborhood was much more rewarding than staying in a cramped, artificial hotel room. Convenient to the Tube, grocery shopping, excellent fish and chips and a friendly pub right across the street. Dealing with Lynn was straightforward and a pleasure from the beginning. The flat was a pleasant, relaxing, and comfortable refuge after long days of visiting the magnificent offerings of London. Definitely the way to go!
• 03/31/09
  Positive Rating
  Steve Dahl , Pasadena, California
  • Wow, my 20 year old son Gabriel and I stayed at Lynn's amazing penthouse suite apartment "flat" in London, for a week at the end of March, 2009. Everything is true that she and the earlier visitors noted. Earlier in our trip to London (we are from near Los Angeles) we stayed at a nice downtown hotel. Her apartment is such a better experience, than even a central downtown hotel. The hotel was OK, but we felt like temporary tourists to the City. While- instead at Lynn's flat- we were part of the experience, interacting with a real neighborhood, shopping for food to cook, or "take away" to bring back to eat, while we enjoyed the skyline view of London, from the kitchen table. Everything (except the main food items that we bought at the stores right across the street) is provided, so we could cook a complicated meal, have really soft towels, lounge in the comfortable beds, consult some of the many London books and maps that are in the apartment, use the binoculars to spot famous spots in London, hook up my son's iPod to her stereo system, or just soak in the tub, after too much running around town. After doing just that- too much running around London, for the first few days, we actually paced ourselves, and looked for excuses to come back early to the flat, so we could comfortably hang- out, talk about the cool things that we did, and have a chance to plan out our next day. The time in the apartment became a key part of our trip- gazing out the windows, watching the weather change and being able to really relax, so we could get the most out of our next day (can't do all this in a hotel). It is really close to the underground stop, which got us anywhere in London within 15 minutes or less. Also, if you buy the London Oyster card, it limits your underground fees to like a maximum of 3 pounds per day- cheap! Lynn was so nice with the whole process. I had never done PayPal before- and it was easy. She had Catherine meet us when we first came to the flat- and she explained everything, and presented us with a nice gift basket of goodies for us to enjoy. As an architect- I really appreciate her flat, and especially the amazing views out the windows. My son and I already miss looking out at the lights. I'm sure that you will have a great time, as we did- really a special way to experience the real London, as a local!
• 03/13/09
  Positive Rating
  Shannon Stewart , Alexandria, VA
  • This is the way to enjoy London! My husband and I stayed in this beautiful flat in early March 2009 for a week, and loved every minute. It was the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring the city, and it was great having the ability to make our breakfasts each morning (and dinner some nights as well!). The location is perfect - right on the Northern line, which always seems to have good service. We were able to go all over London easily from this location. Yes, the stairs can be a bit overwhelming at first, but after the first few trips up them, they DO get easier! I highly recommend this flat.
• 02/18/09
  Positive Rating
  Jane Sinclair , Calgary, Alberta Canada
  • I had the pleasure of staying in Lynn's flat for two weeks in January 2009. Lynn was a pleasure to deal with right from the initial inquires, payments and return of the damage deposit. The flat was just as advertised everything you could need had been thought of. From the large closets, extra bedding, well equiped kitchen with welcome basket and IPod, laptop chargers. On arrival after a full day of sightseeing the stairs seemed very long but after that it was an easy hike. Three large grocery stores are within two blocks and the local farmers market on Saturdays is not to be missed. Wonderful meat, cheese, breads and vegtables. The tube is ungoing extensive refurbishment and many stations were closed each weekend but the Northern line continued unaffected. I had been concerned about the travel times but found it was 15 - 20 minutes to Charing Cross and the theater district and 20 minutes to Victoria Station. The London Walks offers a Highgate walk on Sunday that is excellent. An easy stroll up Archway Road to the station and then another easy stroll down Highgate High Street back to Archway.
• 02/12/09
  Positive Rating
  karen & tracey , adelaide australia
  • I have been meaning to post this review for ages,(only a year late) we stayed in this lovely flat for 2 weeks in feb 08. the flat itself was great to stay in, the stairs keep you fit and lynn was absolutely marvellous and understanding when we had to change dates at the last minute because of illness. thanks lynn karen and tracey
• 11/27/08
  Positive Rating
  Leslie and David Warnock , Victoria BC Canada
  • We loved the flat and its location. We are both runners so having Hampstead Heath close by was a bonus. The amount of storage space for clothes and luggage was impressive. The tube stop, in Zone 2, kept the fares lower and the Northern line is very convenient to the other lines. We enjoyed the restful rooftop views from all rooms of the flat and even on cloudy days, the flat was bright. As it was Guy Fawkes' Day during our visit, we enjoyed nightly fireworks for a whole week! Also appreciated wifi access. As we travel with a laptop, internet access is now a necessity as we were able to do on line bookings for events and save money! Both Lynn (owner) and Catherine (on-site contact) were extremely helpful and payment by PayPal was very convenient and safe. The flat is very quiet and for the entire time we were there, we did not hear a peep from the neighbours. We will definitely return! Leslie and David Warnock, Victoria, BC Nov 2 - 13, 2008
• 11/01/08
  Positive Rating
  , Toronto, Ontario
  • I recently enjoyed a wonderful week in this spacious, light-filled flat. I loved the big soaker bathtub and slept like a baby in the enormous king-sized bed. The views were spectacular! The flat was well stocked with just about everything a visitor might need, such as a hairdryer, iron and ironing board, umbrellas, maps and guidebooks, free wifi, alarm clock, and lots of kitchen utensils. I especially appreciated the welcome basket of bread, cheese, biscuits, chocolate, milk, juice- it was so nice to have some tea and a bite to eat without having to run out to the shops right away. The neighbourhood is bustling and diverse with plenty of restaurants and take-aways. A Sainsbury's Local is located just a few steps down the road from the flat, and Archway tube station is only a minute away. There's even a piece done by the famous graffiti artist Banksy on Highgate Hill, just across from the tube station. Many thanks to both Lynn and Cathy for making the flat such a welcoming and comfortable place to stay. I hope to return someday soon!
• 09/02/08
  Positive Rating
  mary, ariel, and camille , greenwood, sc usa
  • our brief, first stay in london was greatly enhanced by having this flat as our "home" ~ full of light, good use of space, well-equipped, and aesthetically satisfying. my two daughters (25 and 17) and i felt very comfortable moving about the neighborhood, and choosing a flat over a hotel helped us feel a bit like londoners that week. although we met friends all over the city, we could have comfortably entertained here. it was an easy distance by tube from all our gathering and sight-seeing destinations, and a cozy place to return to after days and evenings out. it will be our first choice when we revisit london!
• 08/19/08
  Positive Rating
  
  • The four of us (2 adults & 2 daughters 22yrs & 17yrs) made this beautiful flat our home for two weeks while in London. It is very comfortable and well apponted. The view is amazing and we often sat there for long periods looking over the skyline. It has excellent access to the tube. It is situated in an interesting neighbourhood that is full of life and has all the amenities you could need. The St John's pub nearby is a great place for a meal and/or a pint. The owner was a pleasure to deal with and was always helpful and prompt in replying to any inquiries. This flat was a great addition to our London holiday. Jim & Cheryl Edmonton, AB, Canada

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