The Mother of Pearl
9 guests
-
3 bedrooms, 6 beds
3 bathrooms
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Tucked into a quiet residential street in Kensington, this basement apartment is a calm base for families wanting easy access to the city without the noise. A garden comes with it – rare for a central London flat – and Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and Holland Park are all within walking distance, making days out with children straightforward. Back inside, the living room is a generous space for evenings in, and the bedrooms are comfortable, with a courtyard offering a moment of morning quiet before the day begins.
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Do you have a question about this home or the local area?
What to expect
Highlights
Admire Tower Bridge's Victorian towers and dramatic river views
Enjoy St Katharine Docks' yachts, waterside cafés and marina views
Step directly outside into the courtyard to catch the morning air
Gather for film nights after a day in the city
Like what you see? Explore more of this home
Home truths
As a basement flat, the apartment sits below street level and can feel a little dark – the living room is bright, but the bedrooms get less natural light.
The bedrooms are on the compact side, which is typical for London – your space to stretch out is really the living room, which several guests have noted is generously sized.
Being on the lower level, you may occasionally hear footsteps from the flat above – most guests find it easy to tune out, but it's worth knowing if you're a light sleeper.
There's no lift here. You'll need to be able to climb stairs to reach the entrance of the home.
At full occupancy, three guests will sleep on the sofa bed in the living area.
About this stay
Amenities
Wi-fi
Air conditioning
Washing machine
Dryer
Garden
TV
Dishwasher
Fridge
Bedrooms & bathrooms
3 bedrooms, 6 beds
3 bathrooms
Local guide
About Kensington
Affluent and incredibly central, Kensington is a great base for exploring London on foot. Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are on your doorstep and so are the Victoria and Albert, Science, and Natural History Museums. The streets are attractive and well maintained (grand, white stucco facades aplenty) and your neighbours will be a wealthy, conservative set. Lots of positives but probably not the place to let your hair down.
Explore the area
Local restaurants, cafes, museums, sites and activities, recommended by our community of hosts and travel experts
Start your day at Eggbreak
Prepare yourself for a higher level education on egg-based recipes. Try the pork belly brioche bap topped with a poached egg. Come early in your trip as you might want to repeat.
Have a pint at London’s most colourful pub
Literally covered from top to bottom in billowing flowers of every colour, it’s easy to forget that the Churchill Arms is also a great pub. Grab a pint & soak up almost 300 years of drinking history.
Eat Lunch at Maggie Jones
Step inside this charming, rustic restaurant in Kensington and instantly feel like you’re living it up in a countryside farmhouse as you savour one of the menu's many delicious, hearty dishes.
Get your groceries at Whole Foods Market
This American, eco-minded health foods supermarket is located a short walk away by High Street Kensington station. Perfect for stocking up your kitchen with groceries for your stay.
Marvel at Saint Sophia
This greek orthodox church is one of the most stunning structures in the area. Not visited that often but used as a regular shoot space for its lush interiors and beautiful artwork.
Play at the Diana Memorial Playground
What better tribute to the People's Princess than a playground where over a million children a year enjoy playing in this free space. For grown ups, there's a coffee bar just nearby.
A-spire-ational
Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott - architect of the Albert Memorial - and built in 1872, this Victorian Gothic church has the tallest spire in London. Isaac Newton and anti-slave campaigner Willia
Dine at The Ivy Kensington Brasserie
An urbane, neighbourhood-style brasserie offering accessible Modern British eats. Enjoy great vegetarian options, lovely tea, and fabulous service. Avoid the pancakes though!
Eat Incredible Indian food at Dishoom
Inspired by Kyani & Co, an Irani bakery in Bombay, India. Dishoom brings the bustling Bombay café vibe to the UK serving London’s best Indian street food.
Discovery traditional craftsmanship at Japan House
If you fancy a trip to Japan but are not keen on the long haul flight, everything from the tiles to the food (cooked up by renowned chef Shimizu Akira) will have its roots there - and no jet lag.
Catch a Film at The Gate Picturehouse
Dating back to 1911, The Gate is a gorgeous single-screen cinema in the heart of Notting Hill.
Experience a night at The Coronet Theatre
This converted warehouse offers a cosy and intimate setting to enjoy contemporary dance, opera, and drama productions. Don't miss the unique candlelit bar here, too – we think it's the star of the show.
Get around
Airport
London City
57 min
Heathrow
49 min
London Gatwick
1 hr 40 min
Subway station
Notting Hill Gate
7 min
Train station
Paddington station
25 min
Bus stop
Sheffield Terrace (Stop X)
5 min
Local shops & services
Convenience store
5 min
Cafe
6 min
Pharmacy
7 min
Booking policies
House Rules
Children welcome (1-12 years)
Infants welcome (under 12 months)
No pets
No parties or events
No smoking
Good to know
Arrival time flexible
Arrange with the host
Departure time flexible
Arrange with the host
On floor -1, steps only
Air con
Wifi
Cancellation policy
Up until
30
days
Cancel at least 30 days before your check-in date for a full refund.
Up until
7
days
Cancel at least 7 days before your check-in date for a 50% refund.
Not eligible for a refund once your check-in date is under 7 days away.
Host
This home is managed by Sam
This home is managed by a business on behalf of its owner. A member of their staff will be your point of contact before and during your stay. Sam is on hand to help you throughout your stay and is happy to provide advice, tips, and recommendations so that you can get the very best out of your time in London.
This home is nominated for the Plum Guide Award.
- Great hosts, not just great homes – We reject homes managed by hosts who don’t meet our standards of excellence.
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- Every home scrutinised by experts, they have to meet our standards.
- Hosts we knowHigh-quality hosting, with track records of high-quality hosting.
- Impeccably clean, well maintained homes.
- Peace of mind in the rare event your host cancels.
- Rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, delivering exceptional service before, during and after your stay.