Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward - Fulham and Parsons Green Lettings

Nestled in a bend of the River Thames, with affluent Chelsea guarding its northern border, genteel Fulham is one of London's safe havens. Any visitor to this attractive neighbourhood would be surprised to know that Fulham had a somewhat unpromising beginning, and was known in the 18th century as a hotbed of debauchery, where the London elite would go to drink, gamble and visit ladies of the night. The Fulham of today is a firmly established upmarket location, packed with shops, bars, boutiques and restaurants. It's thoughtfully and spaciously laid out and a real delight for locals is the picturesque commute either along the river or through Eel Brook Common. Of course, there's the added bonus of plenty of lovely riverside pubs for a quick drink on the way home.