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Why Are There Colorful Streets in London? The Story Behind Rainbow Houses

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Chelsea’s Bywater Street is undoubtedly one of the most colorful streets in London, but it’s far from the only street worth visiting in London.

Travelers and Londoners can visit plenty of cute neighborhoods in London filled with colorful rows of houses, and from Notting Hill to Chelsea and Kentish Town, they’re all a sight.

Whoever is on the lookout for unusual places to visit in London should include some of these streets in their bucket list, that’s for sure.

But one question remains – why?

Why are there multicolor rows of painted houses in London?

Where did it start – and where does it finish?

Why Are There Colorful Streets in London? The Story Behind Rainbow Houses

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You will find clusters of multicolor houses and colorful streets in London in various more or less posh neighborhoods.

Those are mostly located in West London and North London, with hot points around Camden, Chelsea, Primrose Hill and Notting Hill.

Over a dozen colorful streets in Notting Hill attract travelers all year round – especially from spring to fall, when the area dresses moodily around Lancaster Road.

Primrose Hill’s Chalcot Square and the surrounding streets offer further free views and a look into posh London life.

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Camden Town and Kentish Town also have their share of colorful streets, from Kelly Street to Bonny Street, which tickle some of London’s top charity shops.

The pictures in this article were all taken in Chelsea, in Bywater Street, Godfrey Street and surrounding streets – by the way, Chelsea is also a top spot to visit the prettiest mews in London!

Why Are There Colorful Streets in London?

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To answer this question, we first need to take a look at the British mentality – it’s no secret that London, and the UK in general, are very tolerant places.

The fact that the United Kingdom is an island definitely means there’s less euro-centrism there, allowing for more progressive views and interactions.

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Having lived in London since 2019, what I have noticed is extreme open-mindedness.

You could go out in your pajamas, with multicolor hair or gold lipstick, and barely no one will take a second look at you.

Most people are living in London on a budget and minding their own business, really.

Individualism is a great part of life in London; you’re basically alone for the most part (or feel the loneliness at some point) and are allowed to be completely yourself.

Read: The Best Tips for Your First Time in London

But How Does It Translate to the Colorful Streets in London?

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London is not actually the only city in the UK where you’ll find colorful houses – painted houses can be found in places like Brighton, where the population is quite young.

Actually, if you’re ever looking for amazing digital nomad cities in the UK, Brighton is definitely a top choice specifically because of the open-mindedness it offers.

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Coming back to colorful streets in London, one of the main reasons why you will find so many is that you generally don’t need planning permission to paint the outside of your house as it is considered a minor cosmetic alteration.

There are exceptions, though.

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If you live in a listed building, live in a leasehold property, are planning to make a major alteration in addition to the change of color, or if you are planning to paint advertising on the exterior of your house, you might need consent from the local planning authority.

There are also color restrictions in some areas, and the local authorities can advise you on suitable colors to choose if you live in a historic or conservation area.

Read: The Best Things to Buy in London

Very Unique Colorful Streets in London & Unusual Houses

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London, and the UK at a larger scale, is historically welcoming of all backgrounds and individualities.

That is why you will also find other colorful streets in London in parts you would not expect, like Kentish Town and the famous Leverton Street, or Lower Clapton, close to Hackney.

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Other very peculiar houses are to be found in Chiswick, with ceramist Carrie Reichardt’s house, a wonder coated with thousands of mosaic pieces.

One of the best hidden gems in London, the mosaic house attracts lovers of unusual sights, and you could spend a good 20 minutes unraveling all of the house’s mysteries.

For some people living in Kentish Town, the decision to choose a new color is made collectively, with neighbors sometimes following the lead of a courageous new-color picker.

However, it’s not always all roses.

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In Kensington, West London, a red and white striped house caught the attention of the law a few years ago, when the owner was suspected to have painted her house a red-and-white stripey pattern out of spite.

There are actually several reasons that lead to clusters of colorful houses form in London, and one thing is for sure: they revolve around character.

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London being one of the best digital nomad cities in the world and one of the most culturally charged places to visit for all ages, it’s understandable that home aesthetics would follow individual freedom.

From pretty mews to small villages inside London, you will find colorful streets everywhere in London which reflect the atmosphere of the area.

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In Chelsea, you will mostly find pastel houses, with the exception of a couple of bright blue, yellow, and red houses.

In Notting Hill, you will find even brighter colors, as well as on Bonny Street in Camden, and Falkland Road in Kentish Town.

Paddington also offers one of the prettiest mews in London, Conduit Mews, which offers a blend of bare bricks and colorful facades – a perfect photo spot during fall.

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One can only wonder where the craze for multicolor houses and rainbow rows will end – most areas already feel established in terms of color.

Primrose Hill has its very own pastel houses and the multicolor Chalcot Square.

Kentish Town has Leverton Street, Falkland Road and Falkland Place.

Notting Hill has Lancaster Road, Tavistock Road, Colville Houses and Portobello Road.

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Would it feel misplaced to think of London as one of the most advanced cities in the world in terms of color?

From old streets to secret mews, there is plenty to visit in London, and when it comes to color, posh areas are those in which you will find rainbow rows.

One possible reason could be that homeowners potentially have more budget to spare when it comes to home decor and design.

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Another one would be mass movement as witnessed in Kentish Town – one homeowner chooses to paint their house, and neighbors follow.

In any case, beyond their status as hipster landmarks, colorful streets in London make for one of the best free things to do when you’re traveling on a budget.

Why Are There Colorful Streets in London? The Story Behind Rainbow Houses

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I am in no way an expert when it comes to architecture, and have merely been a Londoner for a few years.

I find it fascinating to understand the history behind places like colorful streets, art installations, and some of the beautiful palaces in London and hidden gems.

There is so much to see in the city, and you now know why there are clusters of colorful streets in London!

Until next time!

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