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
90 articles
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