Writer
Beatrice Thornton
Belsize Park, London
Beatrice is a food writer and former restaurant critic who moved to Hampstead after falling in love with its independent café culture. She writes about the best places to eat, drink, and linger in North London, with a particular weakness for a well-made flat white and a slab of Victoria sponge.
Articles by Beatrice Thornton
48 articles
Food & Drink
The Best Vegan Restaurants in North London
Where to eat well as a vegan in North London, from dedicated plant-based kitchens in Camden and Islington to Hampstead cafes with proper vegan options. A local guide.
4 min read· 26 June 2026
Food & Drink
The Best Restaurants in Highgate: A Local's Guide
The best restaurants in Highgate, from village bistros to gastropubs and Sunday lunch spots. Where locals eat in N6, what to book and what makes Highgate dining special.
6 min read· 26 June 2026
Local Life
A Romantic Day in North London: The Perfect Date Itinerary
The most romantic things to do in North London, the Pergola, Kenwood, sunset on Primrose Hill, candlelit dinners and cosy pubs. A date-day itinerary with timings.
6 min read· 22 June 2026
Local Life
A Family Day Out in North London: The Best Itinerary with Kids
The best family day out in North London, the Heath playgrounds, Golders Hill Park's free zoo, the canal boat, London Zoo and kid-friendly food. A timed itinerary.
6 min read· 21 June 2026
Nature & Outdoors
The Kenwood Ladies' Pond: A Complete Guide
The Kenwood Ladies' Pond on Hampstead Heath, the women-only swimming pond open year-round. Tickets, opening times, what to bring, winter swimming and the etiquette.
6 min read· 21 June 2026
Local Life
A North London Markets Day: Camden, Columbia Road and Beyond
A market-hopping day in North London, Camden, Columbia Road flowers, Broadway Market, Camden Passage antiques and the farmers' markets. Days, times and a route.
5 min read· 21 June 2026
Local Life
One Day in Highgate: A Walking Itinerary
How to spend a day in Highgate, the cemetery, the village, Waterlow Park, Highgate Wood and the Heath edge. A self-guided walking itinerary with timings and tips.
6 min read· 18 June 2026
Local Life
Camden Market: A Complete Visitor's Guide
A complete guide to Camden Market: the different markets, the best street food, opening times, what to buy, and how to combine it with a Hampstead visit.
6 min read· 10 June 2026
Local Life
Things to Do in Hampstead: A Local's Honest Guide to NW3
The best things to do in Hampstead, written by locals: the Heath, the swimming ponds, Kenwood's free art, the village's hidden corners and historic pubs, and how to plan a day that beats the crowds.
9 min read· 8 June 2026
Local Life
Best Flea Markets & Vintage Shops in London 2026: Complete Guide
London has one of the richest secondhand and vintage scenes of any city in the world, from the antique dealers of Bermondsey at dawn to the vinyl hunters of Brick Lane on Sunday afternoon. This guide covers every significant flea market, vintage fair, and antiques destination in the capital.
5 min read· 5 June 2026
Local Life
Best Jewellery Stores in London 2026: The Complete Guide
From the luxury houses of Bond Street and the antique dealers of Hatton Garden to the independent designers of Clerkenwell and the bold statement makers of Seven Dials, London's jewellery scene is one of the most diverse and exciting in the world. This guide covers every significant jeweller, by area and by style.
5 min read· 4 June 2026
Local Life
Best Cat Cafes in London 2026: The Complete Guide to Feline-Friendly Coffee
London's cat cafe scene has grown from a single Shoreditch pioneer to a city-wide collection of thoughtfully run venues where rescue cats live well and visitors drink coffee in very good company. Here is every cat cafe worth visiting, with everything you need to know before booking.
10 min read· 4 June 2026
Arts & Culture
Best Art Supply Shops in London 2026: From Cornelissen to Cass Art
London has some of the finest art supply shops in the world, from the flagship Cass Art stores to the century-old specialist dealers of Covent Garden and Bloomsbury. Whether you are a student, a professional artist, or simply looking for quality materials, this guide covers every significant shop.
7 min read· 3 June 2026
Local Life
Central London Guide: The Complete 2026 Guide to Every Neighbourhood in Zone 1
Central London, Zone 1, contains the most visited square mile of any city in the world, but it also contains some of the best and most overlooked eating, shopping, cultural, and neighbourhood experiences in Britain. This complete guide covers every significant area, from the grand institutions of Westminster and Bloomsbury to the creative energy of Soho and the ancient streets of the City.
16 min read· 3 June 2026
Food & Drink
Best Bars and Pubs in Covent Garden, London: The Complete 2026 Guide
From historic Victorian pubs to subterranean cocktail bars and world-class wine rooms, Covent Garden has one of the most exciting and varied drinking scenes in London. Here is every venue worth your time.
16 min read· 30 May 2026
Local Life
A Romantic Guide to Hampstead: The Perfect London Date
Hampstead manages to be one of the most romantic places in London without apparently trying. The pergola in bloom, a Kenwood concert at dusk, Parliament Hill at golden hour, here is everything you need for a perfect day.
12 min read· 30 May 2026
History & Heritage
Historic Houses of Hampstead: A Guide to NW3's Finest Architecture
From Fenton House's 1693 walled gardens to Erno Goldfinger's modernist landmark on Willow Road, Hampstead's historic houses span three centuries of British architecture and the lives of artists, poets, and visionaries.
14 min read· 29 May 2026
Local Life
New to Hampstead? Everything You Need to Know About Living in NW3
New to Hampstead? From Heath walks and Flask Walk's independent shops to transport, schools and hidden NW3 gems, your complete newcomer's guide.
15 min read· 23 May 2026
Food & Drink
A Foodie's Guide to Hampstead's Independent Restaurants
Despite its village character, Hampstead punches well above its weight for food. Our guide to the best independent restaurants, from casual to special occasion.
9 min read· 22 May 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Autumn Colours on Hampstead Heath: Where to Go and What to See
October and November transform Hampstead Heath into a painter's canvas of gold, amber and rust. Here's where to find the best colour, and when.
11 min read· 19 May 2026
Food & Drink
The Best Coffee Shops in Hampstead for Working Remotely
Good coffee, reliable wifi, and the kind of atmosphere that makes a working day feel less like work. Our guide to the best spots in Hampstead NW3.
12 min read· 14 May 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Spring on Hampstead Heath: Wildflowers, Wildlife & Walks 2026
As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, Hampstead Heath transforms into one of London's most spectacular natural stages. Here's how to make the most of it.
5 min read· 8 May 2026
Food & Drink
Late-Night Eating in Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
Where to find a decent meal after 10pm in an area that tends to wind down early, the late-night options, ranked honestly.
5 min read· 13 April 2026
Local Life
Primary Schools in Hampstead: A Parents' Guide 2026
School choice is one of the biggest decisions families face when moving to Hampstead. Here is an honest account of what is available.
5 min read· 11 April 2026
Food & Drink
Flask Walk: The Street That Defines Hampstead
The pedestrianised lane running south from Hampstead High Street contains more character per metre than almost anywhere in London.
6 min read· 10 April 2026
Local Life
Transport Guide: Getting Around Hampstead 2026
Northern line, buses, cycling, and when to just walk, how to get around Hampstead and into central London without a car.
5 min read· 3 April 2026
History & Heritage
The Suffragettes of Hampstead: A Hidden History
Hampstead was home to several leading figures in the suffrage movement. This is the story of their lives their meetings and their actions.
5 min read· 28 March 2026
History & Heritage
George Orwell in Hampstead: The Bookshop Years
Before Animal Farm and 1984 Orwell worked in a secondhand bookshop in Hampstead and drew on the experience for his novel Keep the Aspidistra Flying.
5 min read· 26 March 2026
Food & Drink
Best Delis & Food Shops in Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
From the cheese shop on Heath Street to the Italian deli that has been on Rosslyn Hill since before most of its customers were born, Hampstead's food shops are part of what makes the neighbourhood.
5 min read· 25 March 2026
Food & Drink
Eating Alone in Hampstead: The Solo Diner's Guide 2026
Counter seats, bar dining, and the cafés where a single person with a book is welcome rather than pitied, eating solo in Hampstead, done properly.
5 min read· 22 March 2026
Food & Drink
Sunday Lunch in Hampstead: The Best Roasts 2026
Sunday lunch is a serious business in Hampstead. Here is where to find the best roast beef, the finest Yorkshire pudding, and the most civilised Sunday afternoon in North London.
5 min read· 22 March 2026
Local Life
A Weekend in Hampstead: The Perfect 48-Hour Itinerary
Two days in one of London's most beloved neighbourhoods, where to eat, what to see, which pubs to settle into, and how to find the bits most visitors miss entirely.
10 min read· 20 March 2026
Food & Drink
Best Restaurants in Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
From a long-running Japanese on Heath Street to a neighbourhood Italian that has been feeding the village for decades, Hampstead's restaurant scene rewards those who know where to look.
5 min read· 15 March 2026
Food & Drink
Vegetarian & Vegan Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
Hampstead has quietly become one of North London's best areas for plant-based eating, here's where to find the good stuff, from casual lunches to proper dinners.
5 min read· 7 March 2026
Local Life
Community Gardens of Hampstead & Belsize Park: A Guide 2026
Beyond the Heath Hampstead has a quietly thriving network of community growing spaces. Here is where to find them and how to get involved.
6 min read· 5 March 2026
Food & Drink
A Coffee Lover's Guide to Hampstead's Best Cafés
Hampstead's café scene is as distinctive as its architecture, independent, unhurried, and quietly excellent. Here is where to find the best flat white, the finest pastry, and the most restorative corner table in NW3.
7 min read· 18 February 2026
Local Life
GP Surgeries in Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
Registering with a GP in Hampstead, what to expect from the main local surgeries, and how to navigate NHS primary care when the system feels impenetrable.
5 min read· 18 February 2026
Arts & Culture
Hampstead Theatre: History and Visitor Guide 2026
Founded in 1959 in a church hall, Hampstead Theatre has launched the careers of Harold Pinter, Mike Leigh, and dozens of the most significant playwrights of the past six decades.
5 min read· 14 February 2026
Local Life
Living in Hampstead: What No One Tells You
The Heath, the village, the pubs, the Georgian streets, everyone knows the appeal of Hampstead. Here is the honest version: what daily life is actually like in NW3.
7 min read· 12 February 2026
History & Heritage
Hampstead & Highgate: Twin Villages and the Cemetery That Links Them
Highgate Cemetery a short walk from Hampstead village holds an extraordinary concentration of Victorian figures. A guide to the most significant graves.
5 min read· 11 February 2026
Food & Drink
The Art of the Hampstead Sandwich
From sourdough to ciabatta Hampstead takes its lunch seriously. Here are the spots that have earned devoted regulars.
3 min read· 6 February 2026
History & Heritage
Hampstead's Lost Spa Quarter: The Georgian Spa Town
In the 18th century Hampstead rivalled Bath as a fashionable spa resort. The wells that brought the crowds have long since dried up but traces survive.
7 min read· 3 February 2026
Food & Drink
Best Brunch Spots in Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
The art of the Saturday morning, the cafés and restaurants that do brunch properly, from flawless eggs Benedict to the best sourdough toast in NW3.
5 min read· 3 February 2026
History & Heritage
Famous Residents of Hampstead: The Blue Plaque Trail
Hampstead has more blue plaques per square mile than almost anywhere in Britain. A walk through the neighbourhood's commemorative history, from H.G. Wells to Sigmund Freud.
11 min read· 30 January 2026
Local Life
Hampstead Arts Festivals: Literature, Music & Ideas 2026
Each autumn the villages cultural institutions combine to present two weeks of talks performances and exhibitions.
5 min read· 27 January 2026
Food & Drink
Best Pubs in Hampstead 2026: Historic Inns & Village Locals
From the 17th-century Spaniards Inn to the intimate Holly Bush, Hampstead's pubs are among the finest in London. Here is where to drink.
5 min read· 22 January 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Autumn on Hampstead Heath: The Complete Seasonal Guide 2026
There is no better season to visit Hampstead Heath than autumn. The hornbeam and oak woodland turns extraordinary colours, the paths empty out, and the light does things it cannot do at any other time of year.
5 min read· 18 January 2026
Local Life
The Royal Free Hospital Hampstead: Complete Guide 2026
Everything you need to know about visiting, attending A&E, finding the right department, and getting to the Royal Free, Hampstead's major NHS teaching hospital.
5 min read· 15 January 2026