Property of the Week: Live in the home of the real-life Peter Pan
Let’s face it – being a grown-up can be pretty tiresome. It’s why adults everywhere are working on their colouring books, letting loose in ball pits and commuting to work via scooter.
If you too want to channel your inner child, what better way than by living in a house once occupied by the children who inspired the original boy who never grew up?
The Llewelyn Davies children: George, Jack, Peter, Michael, and Nicholas, were befriended by author JM Barrie after meeting him while playing in a local park in 1897, and served as his muses for the Peter Pan character as well as other children in his books and plays. He later became their guardian after both their parents died.
They lived at 31 Kensington Park Gardens in Notting Hill, and the home acted as inspiration for the house where the Darling children lived in Barrie’s books, flying to Neverland from their bedroom window.
The house has since been converted to apartments, and a two-bedroom garden flat is currently available with Dexters for £1.65m.
It has recently been refurbished, has its own entrance from Kensington Gardens and also benefits from access to Stanley Gardens where the Llewelyn Davies children would have explored. The buyer will also get access to Ladbroke Square Garden, one of the capital’s largest garden squares, which is grade II listed and comes complete with tennis courts.
It is in close proximity to Portobello Road and the shops and restaurants of Westbourne Grove, as well as tube connections at Notting Hill Gate and Holland Park.
Charlie Brandstatter, manager at Dexters Westbourne Grove, says: “This attractive garden flat makes for the perfect London pied-a-terre or home for a young professional.
“This is a unique opportunity on one of Notting Hill’s premier streets. We are expecting very good interest in this property because of its enviable location, great quality refurbishment with the interesting history being a lovely additional fact.
“It is little wonder this home served as inspiration for the Peter Pan stories, as the architecture and lovely gardens are just magical.”