The Sunday Times has released its annual Best Places to Live list and amongst the seven locations for London is Bow in Tower Hamlets.
Editor of the list Helen Davies described the guide as “a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain”.
She said: “Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live.
“These judges have travelled the length and breadth of the UK, from the Scottish Highlands to the Cornish coast, selecting the top towns and villages, suburbs and cities for the 2026 guide.
“One thing all our chosen locations have in common is that the people who live in them are proud to call them home.”
Richmond was crowned the overall winner in London and Bow was accompanied by fellow runner-ups Crouch End, Fulham, Plumstead, Southwark (Bermondsey-Waterloo) and Walthamstow.
The Sunday Times’ expert judges said: “From Romans and Plantagenets to creatives in houseshares, there’s a palpable sense of history on Bow’s streets.
“At the area’s heart is tranquil Tredegar Square, where resplendent Regency houses surround a classic communal garden.
“This is a laid-back, easy-going neighbourhood where gentrification has been a gradual and harmonious process.”
In a London area guide published by HeadBox last year, Bow was described by “London’s most underrated neighbourhood” and several points of excellence were highlighted including coffee and brunch spots, dining spaces, pubs and parks.
According to data from Rightmove, house prices in Bow had an overall average of £503,986 over the last year.
The majority of properties sold in Bow during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of £439,028.
Terraced properties sold for an average of £900,440 and semi-detached properties fetched £760,000 on average.
Overall, the historical prices in Bow over the last year were three per cent up on the previous year and similar to the peak of £506,044 in 2020.
The Sunday Times’ judges added: “Runners, cyclists and rollerbladers take advantage of verdant Victoria Park, and there’s cultural stardust on the doorstep, from soon-to-open V&A East, Sadler’s Wells East and the Abba Voyage venue to summer music festivals in Victoria Park and the street art and galleries of Hackney Wick.
“The Central line makes getting to central London a doddle.”