Hugh Grant's former South Kensington penthouse on the market with £700k price cut
I'm just a girl, standing in front of a 3,000 sq ft London penthouse, asking it to please let me in.


Hugh Grant used to own this magnificent South Kensington penthouse, which is decidedly more glamorous than the house with the bright-blue door that belonged to his celebrated character William Thacker in Notting Hill.
The glitzy apartment (which you wouldn't be wrong in confusing for a fairground mirror maze) originally came up for sale a couple of years ago at £7.95 million, but it has now been reduced and is currently on the market for £7.25 million. It's a quite extraordinary property, and it's even much more private than you might expect of a flat: it has its own private lift, so you won't be slowed down by those on the floors below.
Spanning a little more than 3,000sq ft, it has three bedrooms. The master suite is especially attractive with its south-facing views towards the river and Battersea Power Station.
There’s also a vast, semi open-plan kitchen, dining and living area that opens onto panoramic west-facing terrace. With the vaulted high ceilings and large windows only adding to the sense of grandeur that penetrates the spacious, light-flooded rooms.
In total, the apartment has more than 1,600sq ft of private outdoor space — both a rarity and a luxury, as any city dweller will tell you — complete with covered sun deck and hot tub.
In the words of the agent Charles Findlater, it's an 'exceptional property' that 'has so much to offer... ideal for a family or for someone who loves to entertain.'
Or, if you prefer the words of William Thacker, it's 'surreal, but nice.'
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
The Penthouse at Petersham House is currently on the market via agents including Berkshire Hathaway for £7.25 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
South Kensington: What you need to know
Location: Just west of Central London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The South Kensington tube station is served by Circle, District and Piccadilly lines. Gloucester Road tube (to the west) is also on the same lines.
Atmosphere: A cultural hub of London, the area benefits from delightful cafes and restaurants, to high-end dining, plus has plenty of open green spaces to explore.
Things to do: Immerse yourself in some of London's finest museums and galleries, including The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Natural History Museum and The Science Museum. The high street is home to a large number of shops — both chain and independent, and the area has great access onto Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace.
Schools: Queen's Gate School, Queen's College London, Thomas Jones Primary School and Fox Primary School are all rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted.
See more property for sale in the area.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
50 best places to live near London
The indispensable guide for getting into the country without ending up out of touch with the town.
The best places to live in London, whether you want culture, shopping, bright lights, food... or a slice of relaxing country life within the M25
A side effect of the pandemic has been a rise in interest for country living, but with theatres, exhibition venues
Carla must be the only Italian that finds the English weather more congenial than her native country’s sunshine. An antique herself, she became Country Life’s Arts & Antiques editor in 2023 having previously covered, as a freelance journalist, heritage, conservation, history and property stories, for which she won a couple of awards. Her musical taste has never evolved past Puccini and she spends most of her time immersed in any century before the 20th.
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a century
Anna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
By Anna White Published
-
Country Life Quiz of the Day, September 16, 2025 gets Brutal(ist)
Divisive architecture is among the themes of today's quiz questions.
By Country Life Published
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a century
Anna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
By Anna White Published
-
A 500-year-old cottage in West Sussex that's as beautiful as you could ever hope to see, with a pool ringed by flowers, stables and a croquet lawn
James Fisher was in need of some balm for the soul when he came across Woodshill House.
By James Fisher Published
-
A Clarkson's Farm of one's own: Five properties with just enough farmland for you and your family, from under £1 million
Moving to the country is one thing; moving to the country and being able to grow and rear all your own food is another level entirely, and all these properties offer exactly that.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
Six superb homes, from chocolate box cottages to grand Tudor mansions, as seen in Country Life
Our regular round-up includes charming home counties houses and superb grand country house in Ireland.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A billionaire's thatched cottage is for sale in Surrey, once owned by the oil magnate J. Paul Getty
Chestnut Cottage is a joyous little home — albeit one with the most unusual bedrooms to acreage to price balances we've ever seen. Toby Keel takes a look inside.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castle
From hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
By Toby Keel Published
-
How to buy a house at auction
Buying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same time
The houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
By Annabel Dixon Published