St John's Wood and Maida Vale contain some of the cream of Edwardian, Georgian and Victorian residential architecture. There is an Italian air in the picturesque buildings around the area bordering the Regents Canal, which has led to the place being called Little Venice. Maida Vale was named after the Napoleonic battle of Maida in Italy 1806. Both areas are considered ideal, exemplary Victorian former suburbs. Housing was created to offer a retreat from the commercial and industrial world. As a result many homes were built with private gardens surrounded by high brick walls. Contrary to the notion that suburban neighbourhoods are homogenous developments, Maida Vale and St. John's Wood were largely inhabited by artists, authors and other creatives, and many houses reflect their original owners' varied architectural preferences. Maida Vale is a more modest community with a larger number of terraced homes, while St John's Wood is more upscale and has a higher proportion of detached and semi-detached houses.

Local attractions include the London Toy and Model Museum, the Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum in nearby St. Mary's hospital, and the Rembrandt Gardens. There are pleasant walks and charming pubs to visit and a sedate trip down the canal to London Zoo is possible. Lords Cricket Ground is here, for those interested in this most traditional English sport. There is a wide choice of restaurants including Rosmarino, a classic yet modern Italian, and L'Aventure serving French cuisine in a bright cosy interior.

Notable State Secondary schools in the area are the Grey Coat Hospital for girls, the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School for boys, and the Jewish Free School, which is co-educational. There are also plenty of well-known Independent Secondary schools.



St John's Wood is on the Jubilee Line, and is walking distance from Tube stops at Baker Street, Great Portland Street and Regent's Park. It's also close to mainline stations at Marylebone, Euston, Kings Cross/St Pancras and West Hampstead. Maida Vale is slightly further from London's centre, but is easily reached by the Bakerloo Line. Maida Vale's closest mainline stations are Queen's Park, Paddington and Marylebone.