Our Hampstead Area Guide is here to assist you discover the local highlights of Hampstead! So now imagine a delightful little English village complete with cobbled alleys, stone churches and heaps of willowy trees. Now plonk it down 10 minutes outside the centre of London and you have found yourself in Hampstead! Originally named Homestead when the area was purely marshland, it was adapted and modernised over the years to become the name we know today. Most famous for its rich history and ancient woodlands (called the Heath), Hampstead is a modern neighbourhood with great pubs, cafes, and shopping.

Hampstead is synonymous with sophisticated living and a cosmopolitan community. Of all the London villages, it has the most timeless appeal, largely thanks to its dense 18th century centre and the semi-rural feel lent by the adjacent Heath — 800 acres of open countryside and woodland that has long been London’s weekend playground. In fact, in Victorian times the area around Whitestone Pond and Kenwood House was where locals and visitors would come to promenade, showing off their finery to one and all!

It’s a thriving area that attracts a constant stream of prospective buyers and tenants. A great array of private and state schools that are almost second to none is a huge draw for families, while having Hampstead Heath on the doorstep makes this a truly idyllic setting, just a short journey from the West End and the City.

The area’s wide range of properties provide plenty of choice; from studio flats and high value portered apartment schemes to small town centre cottages and substantial double fronted mansions.

Living in Hampstead

Hampstead (commonly known as Hampstead Village) extends to Hampstead Garden Suburb in the north and shares its borders with St. Johns Wood to the south and neighbouring Highgate to the east and Golders Green to the west. Part of the London Borough of Camden, it is known for its intelligentsia of academics, high-brow artists, authors, poets, architects, a plethora of celebrities, and musical and literary associations.

Moreover, the village of Hampstead has more millionaires within its boundaries than any other region within the United Kingdom.

The area preserves much of its unique village character, with Hampstead High Street alone housing no less than 18 Grade II listed buildings. Split into different parts including, South and West Hampstead that were traditionally working class housing neighbourhoods, these have inevitably been upgraded through gentrification from about 1980 onwards and have been transformed into now popular residential areas by young professionals.

Schools

The selection of private primary and preparatory schools in Hampstead is larger than anywhere else in London, with six all-through private schools. In the state sector, all primary schools are judged to be “good” or better by the government’s education watchdog Ofsted.

Primary schooling is dominated by the independent sector, with a number of very highly regarded schools such as Northbridge House, Devonshire House, The Hall, Queen Mary’s School for Girls and Lyndhurst House to name a few. The area also boasts several very highly regarded selective secondary schools including South Hampstead High School for Girls, and UCS up the road teaching boys.

Going Out

Daytime coffee culture and bakeries: Gails Bakery, Joe and the Juice, Paul, Roni’s Bakery, the legendary Coffee Cup, Pain de Quotidien, plus a host of others form part of the ever popular café society.

Hampstead is well known for these public houses. Gas lit until recently you have The Holly Bush and Spaniard’s Inn where highwayman Dick Turpin took refuge. Others include: The Flask, The Duke of Hamilton, The Old Bull and Bush and The Freemasons Arms

Mimmo La Bufala (authentic Wood fire oven pizza), Jin Kichi (Japanese, make sure you have a reservation!), Spielburgers (American burger joint) & Cote Brasserie. Let’s not forget La Gaffe Hotel and Restaurant that offers a wine bar, authentic Italian food and hospitality. It has formed part of the Hampstead culture for over 50 years and is still run and owned by the original Stella family.

Bobby Fitzpatrick in West Hampstead is a must, a great selection when starting the night.

Hampstead Theatre, Pentameters Theatre, Everyman Cinema (opened in 1933, showing art-house movies and recent blockbusters), View Cinema at the 02 Centre and the Swiss Cottage theatre. Although a recent addition the Hampstead Jazz Club is located in New End underneath the Duke of Hamilton pub.

For a little finer dining do try Gaucho (Argentinian steakhouse with an impressively curated wine menu) and Villa Bianca (long-standing Italian restaurant with al-fresco dining in the summer)

Melrose and Morgan, The Hampstead Butcher & Providore, Artichoke, Jeroboams (fine wines), Hampstead Community Market are all fantastic high-end delicatessens and grocers.

Commuting from Hampstead

Underground (London only): Hampstead (zone 2) is on the Edgware branch of the Northern line, with direct trains to Euston and central London (20 minutes to Oxford Circus).

Overground: Trains to Richmond and Stratford from Finchley Road & Frognal and Hampstead Heath.

Buses: Buses 46, 210,268, 603 all run through Hampstead and serve central London.

Car: The Finchley Road connects Hampstead to central London; you can be in in Baker Street in 15 minutes.

Hampstead Leisure

The 320 hectares of Hampstead Heath! Lots of space for running or long walks and the wild swimming in the ponds (weather permitting of course!).

Private health clubs include: The Gym Group West Hampstead, The Armoury Gym and UCS active which is open to residents outside school times.

Parks & Green Spaces

Hampstead Heath is well known by Londoners for its beautiful expansive park land. There are 790 acres of meadows, woods, and gardens to explore and on a sunny day you can take a dip in the Hampstead Heath pond (separated into men’s, women’s and mixed).

You can also visit the zoo in Golders Hill Park that forms part of the Heath, where you can spot birds and other wildlife in their natural environments, see the wonderful butterflies in the Butterfly House and/or join the fitness buffs making use of the open running space. Head to Parliament Hill for a romantic sunset, where from this high point of Hampstead Heath you get beautiful legally-protected views of the London skyline.

Last but by no means least there is the wonderful Kenwood House situated in an idyllic setting on Hampstead Heath. It offers a fine art gallery with original masterpieces, a glorious setting overlooking one of ‘The Heaths’ famous lakes, fine architecture dating back generations plus a tea house and café.

Properties for sale

Properties for rent

Things to do in and around Hampstead