Our Belsize Park area guide by your local property expert, is here to assist you discover this pretty corner of London!

The Manor of Belsize, which dates to the the 14^th century when Sir Roger le Brabazon reportedly left land to Westminster Abbey, got its name from the French ‘bel assis’ meaning ‘well situated’, which very much sums up the area’s geographical position today as it did in the Middle Ages.

Most of the main thoroughfares were established between 1850 and 1870, when Belsize became Belsize Park, much of which was built up by property developer Daniel Tidey, who was originally from Sussex.

Over the next 30 years, much of Belsize Park’s remaining green spaces were transformed into the area that we see today, dominated by 19^th century architecture, with three fundamental focal points – Belsize Village, England’s Lane and Haverstock Hill.

Living in Belsize Park

You’ll find Belsize Park neatly nested between Hampstead and Camden. Blink, though, and you might miss it. Along with Chalk Farm and Mornington Crescent, Belsize Park makes up a community of small areas that blur the lines between where one ends and the other begins.

Leafy Belsize Park offers a wonderful bohemian village atmosphere, with many cafes, bakeries, pubs, small shops, restaurants and a strong sense of community. The proximity to the city (Belsize Park to Moorgate Station in 15 minutes) only adds to the many reasons that this is such a desirable area.

The Stucco architecture, the green spaces of Primrose Hill and Hampstead Heath along with the beautifully tree lined and local shopping districts, (Englands Lane, Haverstock Hill, Steeles Village and Belsize Village) make this an attractive area for families and single professionals alike.

Schools

Belsize Park boasts several the capital’s most sought-after schools, although Abacus School, which opened in 2013, is the only primary in the heart of the village. The secular, community school has proved hugely popular and gained an Ofsted rating of Outstanding at its recent inspection.

Nursery and pre-prep Hampstead Hill school in Pond Street and Rosary RC on Haverstock Hill rated by Ofsted as Good. Fleet Primary and Lyndhurst House Preparatory School maintain the overall Good standard for primary education in the area.

Going Out

The key shopping district around England’s Lane is teeming with cosy cafés, gastropubs and restaurants perfect for afternoon tea or a hearty meal after a walk on the Heath.

Chamomile Café on England’s Lane is a haven for coffee lovers, and locals line up for their selection of cakes, patisserie and home-made lunches which serve up a rich beef bourguignon and lemon-crusted salmon fillet with special ‘chamomile potatoes’. 

The breakfast menu at Ginger and White’s offers an artisanal take on the traditional English breakfast with smoky home-made baked beans and poached eggs on sourdough toast.

If you have a furry friend, Oliver’s Village Café is a dog friendly café in the heart of Belsize Village. They now have acoustic nights, a supper club and serve roasts on a Sunday.

For the thirsty Belsizer The Washington on Englands Lane is a classic Victorian pub and a local favourite due to the squidgy sofas, cask ale selection, and weekly Quiz night. It offers quality ‘pub grub’ in a lively atmosphere with a traditional crowd.

Commuting from Belsize Park

The area falls into zone 2 of the London underground system and is served by Belsize Park Underground Station on the Northern Line (that’s the one that is coloured black if you’re not familiar!) and the Hampstead and Chalk Farm stations are both located nearby, also on the Northern Line. Hampstead Heath railway station offers an overground service, while the N5 bus offers a 24 hour service to Oxford Circus.

Belsize Park Leisure

There is an EveryMan Cinema located on Haverstock Hill where you can watch films whilst reclining on a sofa having a meal or a glass of wine. There is also the Hampstead Theatre at Swiss Cottage as well as The O2 Centre on the Finchley Road which has a further cinema, shops, bars, restaurants, a  Virgin Active and A Little Gym and Gymboree Play & Music for the little ones.

10 minutes from Belsize Park and in Primrose Hill you have two of the best green spaces in London which are Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill. Hampstead Heath is 790 acres with ponds that the public can swim in. Primrose Hill offers incredible views over London and is even protected by a statute of law to prevent buildings that could block it. As you can imagine on a sunny day, both green spaces are packed with not only locals, but with visitors from other areas that have come for a day out as well as tourists.

Properties for sale

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Things to do in and around Belsize Park