Why I live in Wembley Park: Strictly’s Neil Jones on the best places to go in his ‘unique, modern’ London neighbourhood

You might not recognise him without the fake tan and glitter, because Neil Jones is better known as one of Strictly’s professional dancers. When not cha-cha-cha-ing, the 39-year-old lives in a rented flat in Wembley Park.
Neil Jones in Wembley Park with his dogs, Crumble and Choriza
Matt Writtle
Ruth Bloomfield30 September 2022

I moved here from Hampshire about five years ago. It was about convenience really. I was looking for a location where I could easily get into Elstree Studios, but also get into central London for meetings.

A friend said, "Why not check out Wembley", and it turned out to be perfect for Strictly Come Dancing and also to have everything you need. I love it.

Best eating and drinking

You’re spoiled for choice around here. Most mornings I go to Oatopia at 3 Olympic Way for a matcha latte and a bagel. Bread Ahead, also on Olympic Way, is a great place to go for breakfast or brunch, you can get a full English breakfast or something like eggs Benedict.

Local gem: Jones rates Oatopia on Olympic Way for matcha lattes and bagels
Matt Writtle

There’s also an Indian restaurant, Masalchi, on Wembley Park Boulevard. The chef, Atul Kochhar, has had Michelin stars (at Tamarind and Benares) and the food is incredible.

Then there’s BoxPark, off Fulton Road, which has got about 20 different street food stalls and bars so you can go with friends, all order different stuff, but eat together.

Where I work out

There’s a gym in my building, Quintain Living, which is perfect. I also like to go to MoreYoga on Weaver Walk for classes. I go running too and I tend to run around the stadium.

I’m a big football fan. Doing a circuit is about a mile and in fact during lockdown, when I couldn’t do the London Marathon, I ran a marathon around the stadium instead.

For a culture fix

When I did Britain’s Got Talent it was filmed at the Fountain Studios in Wembley. It has now been converted into the Troubadour Theatre, which is a massive new venue. I really like how they do all sorts of different shows. They had War Horse, and soon Ballet Rambert are doing a prodution based on Peaky Blinders. I’m really excited about that one.

To commune with nature

What is nice about Wembley is that there are all these little pockets of nature. The one nearest me is called Union Park and it’s got greenery and fountains. It’s also only about a five-minute walk to King Edward VII Park, which has got lots of space for my dogs, Crumble and Choriza, to run around in.

Closer than you think: it takes about 15 minutes to get from Wembley Stadium mainline station to Marylebone
Matt Writtle

Grocery shopping

Bread Ahead does the most amazing sourdough bread, and I love cooking so I also like to walk down Harrow Road where there are all these little stalls and independent shops where I can get incredible fresh fruit, herbs and spices.

Getting around

I mainly use the Metropolitan Line because it’s so fast — only two stops to Baker Street and in the summer it’s got air conditioning so you aren’t boiling. Occasionally I use Wembley Stadium mainline station. It takes about 15 minutes to get to Marylebone on the Chiltern Railways line.

Dream street

The building I’m in is amazing. It’s got roof gardens with a slide down to work spaces, and I don’t actually want to live anywhere else.

Home goals: Jones shares the rooftop garden with other renters at the Quintain Living block
Matt Writtle

Something you only see in Wembley Park

I really like the views. On one side you have got great views over London but on the other it’s all greenery. I like it best on match days when it’s really busy with fans and you can see them all pouring in and out of the stadium.

What’s the catch?

It can be hard trying to convince friends to come here — they think it’s really far away.

In three words

Modern, unique, spacious.

Schools

Families flock to Wembley Park for its schools.

The Ark Academy, St Joseph RC, and Oakington Manor (all primaries) hold outstanding Ofsted reports.

International families move here for the Lycee International De Londres. For older pupils, Michaela Community School and Ark Academy both get top marks from the schools’ watchdog.

What it costs

Buying in Wembley Park

Average flat price: £401,416

Average house price: £695,739

Renting in Wembley Park

Average flat price pcm: £1,527

Average house price pcm: £2,110

Source: Rightmove

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