Horton and Garton is an independent, family-run West London estate and given the name, most would assume that John Horton might have had some involvement in getting the agency started, and they’d be right.
Now with almost 3 decades selling and letting properties under his belt, and with Horton and Garton entering an incredibly exciting period, it seemed an opportune time to talk to John about his journey, the agency and the area.
27 years in the industry
John’s career as an estate agent started in 1996 when John took his CV to a local estate agent and following an interview, he was offered a job.
After many years as not only a local estate agent but as a long-term Hammersmith resident, John recognised the desire from both sellers and landlords to work with a professional yet personable estate agent – and so in 2008, John founded Horton and Garton.
I thought I would give it a go. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Now almost 30 years after he initially began his career as an estate agent, and in Horton and Garton’s 15th year, there are local homes that Horton and Garton or John himself have sold multiple times.
Just recently the current owners of the first house that Horton and Garton ever listed 15 years ago got in touch to explore the possibility of selling. He recounts that there have been a lot of properties Horton and Garton have sold twice, and even some that they’ve sold three or four times. The record is four times selling the same home in 15 years.
Horton and Garton has grown exponentially, with the team across sales, lettings, and property management departments now consisting of 23 full-time staff and 14 part-time, with most of them living locally and within walking distance of the office.
A local West London resident
John has lived in many parts of the patch that Horton and Garton now cover, having lived in Brackenbury Village for 15 years and buying his first two properties in Brackenbury Village, and then moving to Chiswick in 2016 for three years before moving back to Stamford Brook.
When asked which area of West London he likes most, John is hard to pin down. Brackenbury Village is a top contender due to the pretty streets and architecture, the homes surrounding Ravenscourt Park, streets such as Rylett Road, Rylett Crescent, Ashchurch Park Villas, Flanchford Road and Palgrave Road to the North of the park with Askew Village and Wendell Park. The eclectic diversity that the area offers, with the marketplace and world cuisines found on Uxbridge Road, just a short distance from the independent shops and regular cheese and flower markets held in Chiswick.
Living in Stamford Brook suits me well; I get the best out of everything as it’s all within a 15-minute walk.
When asked what’s changed over the many years he’s lived and worked in the area, it’s W12 that John feels has experienced the greatest shift and seen considerable growth.
Properties to the left and right of Askew Road, in what we now know as Askew Village as now the first choice for many families.
What does John Horton love about West London?
There are many things that John loves about West London, reasons why this is the place he continues to live and work, and has done so for decades.
West London has an outstanding local community, and there are some excellent charities to support; The Upper Room, Dad’s House, Foodbank, the RNLI and John is also incredibly passionate about working with Hogarth Club and extending support to the events and charities they support too. There’s also great participation from local schools and parents, and several exceptional community events run through the year including Artists at Home and The Bedford Park Festival.
Before setting up his own agency, John felt others did very little to support local schools, charities, and events despite being in a position to make a difference. A small difference goes a long way with the change of attitude and that goes from everyone participating and volunteering in those charitable events.
This year Horton and Garton have been able to have a member of the sales, lettings or property management team volunteer with the Upper Room on a regular basis, a contribution John is very proud to be able to facilitate.
It’s the community spirit in West London that sets it apart from other areas, the togetherness that was so evident throughout the pandemic and has so wonderfully carried forward, as it was pre-2020.
From the ease and convenience of getting in and out of London, and being able to reach the airport quickly, West London also has a convenience that makes it so popular with home movers. And of course, there’s the great social scene, West London has excellent restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops. From top brunch spots to excellent sports clubs, the area has it all.
John is particularly fond of the riverside pubs, and there are lots to choose from, from The Black Lion to The Dove, and The Old Ship to name a few along Hammersmith riverside alone. There are many more dotted along the winding stretch of river that meanders through west London.
I especially love the river and Ravenscourt Park. I don’t have enough fingers to list all the pubs I like in the area. We really are spoilt for choice.
Away from the beautiful homes, travel and transport connections, the community and the pubs, West London boasts exceptional schools which is often one of the deciding factors for families when considering a place to put down roots. There are both top-performing independent schools and highly rated state schools within the borders of W6, W4 and W12, and the neighbouring postcode areas.
What’s next for Horton and Garton?
In recent years Horton and Garton have undergone a brand refresh, have an entirely new website and have in place a dedicated marketing team to support the sales, lettings and property management teams.
Whilst Horton and Garton’s original office was in Hammersmith, they have assisted with sales across all of W6, W12 together with W14 and W3 and of course, for the past 6 years, there has been an office in W4. In 2023, the Horton and Garton Chiswick team will move from Gable House on Turnham Green Terrace into their new office at 161 Chiswick High Road.
As a market-leading lettings and sales agent in W6 and W12 John believes that with a greater presence in Chiswick, Horton and Garton will be able to provide discerning clients with the same considered and effective advice and deliver a personable service, with greater authority in the W4 area.
Want to talk property?
Whilst John primarily manages the business and leads a very competent and experienced team, he continues to be keenly involved with the day-to-day and of course, is most often taking part in community and charity events.
To talk to a member of the team about your property, for sale or to let, get in touch.
