Period terraces with a storied history, these self-contained communities play host to some of London’s most desirable homes.

A mews is to a metropolis what an oasis is to a desert. These quiet enclaves offer peace and stillness. In any city, the best place to stay is the one closest to the action but with an away-from-it-all feel. A mews provides just that – a slice of solitude moments from the urban buzz.

With both equine and motoring heritage, these distinctive streets have an eclectic past. They once played host to stables or carriage houses, many of which were eventually converted into garages for racing cars. With colour, character and a calming, secluded atmosphere, London’s mews streets are now some of the most sought-after. From the traditional to the contemporary, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite mews homes in London.

Pencombe Mews

A provincial atmosphere in the heart of Notting Hill, Pencombe Mews feels more countryside than town. Arranged over four floors, there are multiple options for entertaining, including a private garden. Reclaimed wood flooring and a Smeg range create a farmhouse feel in the kitchen. A generous first-floor reception is reminiscent of a country pile drawing room: think eclectic trinkets and antiquities, chintz curtains and striped armchairs arranged for conversation. Outside, the city awaits, with foodie favourites Melt, Beach Blanket Babylon and Libby's Sugar & Gluten Free Bakery all moments away.

Pencombe Mews is available for short stays from £1,250 per night

The Rainbow House

The Rainbow House is a uniquely playful home. Located off a quiet mews next to Portobello Road, this three-storey home appeals to one’s inner child while satisfying discerning tastes. The plan is arranged around a central atrium containing a spiral staircase – the multicoloured spine of the home. It’s all steel, glass and rivets but leads to warm, timeless spaces with unusual touches – such as the slide from the principal bedroom into the open-plan kitchen and reception room. Owned by musician Charlie Freeman, it is a creative sanctum for performers and aesthetes alike.

The Rainbow House is available for short stays from £1,250 per night

Napier Place

Napier Place is a boldly reimagined mews home in Kensington. This three-bedroom retreat offers light-filled, top-floor living spaces, gallery-like proportions and bold artwork to match. An expansive lantern skylight illuminates the dual reception room. Cook up a storm in the modern kitchen then practice your skills on the baby grand piano. Or let the integrated Sonos music system do the work for you. This is a space optimised for entertaining. If you want some time alone, however, the lower level features a study and gym – or kick back in one of three bedroom suites.

Napier Place is available for short stays from £900 per night

Alba Place

Set within a colourful gated mews, this two-bedroom home offers an update on its storied Notting Hill neighbourhood. A calming, contemporary aesthetic has been deftly applied to all three floors. On the first, an open-plan kitchen and reception room spans hardwood chevron floors, a wide marble worktop and sociable breakfast bar. Mix cocktails in the kitchen then head to the Juliet balcony to drink in the surrounding pastel-toned façades. Or head up to the roof terrace, the perfect spot to unwind with friends, backdropped by the Notting Hill roofscape.

Alba Place is available for short stays from £550 per night

Monmouth Place

The amenities of a city pad meet the quietude of a suburban street. Monmouth Place is a contemporary Notting Hill home set within a traditional framework. Inside, an expansive kitchen beckons. Put your cheffing skills to the test on the marble worktops then enjoy the fruits of your labour in the stylish seating booth or outside on the decked terrace. The whitewashed bedroom features a walk-in wardrobe and an en suite with dual basins. A stone’s throw from the shops, cafés and restaurants of Westbourne Grove, this one-bedroom pied-à-terre is an ideally situated romantic retreat.

Monmouth Place is available for short stays from £350 per night

Munro Mews

An exemplar of inverted living. This considered two-bedroom home in North Kensington puts light-filled social spaces at the top of the agenda. Set within a modern mews, nearby are local favourites Layla Bakery, Lisboa Delicatessen and Golborne Deli as well as the boutiques and antiques shops of Portobello Road. Set over three floors, Munro Mews features a patio garden and a top-floor terrace that’s perfect for sundowners framed by Ernő Goldfinger’s brutalist icon Trellick Tower.

Munro Mews is available for short stays from £550 per night

London’s mews streets provide a peaceful alternative to hectic city living moments from the metropolis. Away from the sounds of the city, our luxury mews houses showcase some of the best architecture and interior design in Notting Hill and beyond. For more inspiration, browse our homes.