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
81 articles
Nature & Outdoors
The Best Time to Visit Hampstead Heath: A Season-by-Season Guide
The Best Time to Visit Hampstead Heath: A Season-by-Season Guide, a locally written, practical guide to what to know, where to go, and how to plan your...
2 min read· 1 July 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Hampstead at Christmas: The Complete Guide to December in the Village
Christmas in Hampstead — fairy lights on Flask Walk, frost on the Heath, and the Holly Bush fireplace.
5 min read· 30 June 2026
Food & Drink
The Best Bagels in North London
North London's bagel history runs deep, from the all-night shops of Brick Lane to the bakeries of Golders Green and Finchley. Where to find a proper salt-beef bagel.
3 min read· 30 June 2026
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
Kenwood Ladies' Pond: Opening Times, Booking & Prices 2026
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