Neil Jones in Wembley Park with his dogs, Crumble and Choriza
(Picture: Matt Writtle)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.
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.
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.
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
