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
88 articles
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