Writer
James Calloway
Gospel Oak, London
James is an outdoor enthusiast, urban walker, and nature photographer whose passion for the Heath began on childhood weekend walks with his grandfather. He documents seasonal changes, wildlife sightings, and the quieter corners of Hampstead that most visitors never find.
Articles by James Calloway
47 articles
Arts & Culture
Films and TV Shows Filmed in Hampstead
Hampstead has appeared in everything from Mary Poppins to Killing Eve. A guide to the films and TV shows shot in Hampstead and on the Heath, and where to find the locations.
4 min read· 26 June 2026
Local Life
Hampstead vs Highgate: Which North London Village Wins?
Hampstead and Highgate are North London's two hilltop villages, separated by the Heath. An honest comparison of their pubs, views, history and feel to help you choose.
4 min read· 26 June 2026
History & Heritage
Why Hampstead Has London's Deepest Tube Station
Hampstead is the deepest station on the London Underground at 58.5 metres, with the network's longest staircase. Why it is so deep, and what that means for your journey.
4 min read· 26 June 2026
Local Life
Things to Do in Crouch End: A Local's Guide
Things to do in Crouch End: the clock tower, independent shops and cafés, the Parkland Walk, great restaurants and pubs, and how to spend a perfect day in N8.
6 min read· 26 June 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Kenwood House Gardens: A Complete Guide to the Grounds
A guide to the gardens and grounds of Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath, the lake, the woodland walks, the kitchen garden, the concerts and the best seasonal visits.
7 min read· 26 June 2026
Arts & Culture
The Phoenix Cinema East Finchley: History, Programme and Visitor Guide
The Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley is one of Britain's oldest working cinemas, dating from 1910. This guide covers its history, what's on, how to book, and what makes it worth the trip.
8 min read· 26 June 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Waterlow Park Highgate: A Complete Visitor's Guide
Everything you need to know about Waterlow Park in Highgate, the ornamental ponds, Lauderdale House café, the link to Highgate Cemetery, and the best times to visit.
8 min read· 26 June 2026
Local Life
A Perfect Day in Stoke Newington: The Complete Itinerary
How to spend a day in Stoke Newington, Church Street, Clissold Park, Abney Park Cemetery, independent food and the best pubs in N16. A timed itinerary with tips.
6 min read· 22 June 2026
Local Life
A Free Day in North London: The Best Things to Do for Nothing
The best free things to do in North London, Kenwood's Old Masters, the Heath, a free zoo, museums, markets and views, all for nothing. A complete free itinerary.
6 min read· 21 June 2026
Food & Drink
A Foodie Day in North London: Markets, Delis and Great Restaurants
A food-focused day in North London, the best markets, delis, cheese shops, street food and restaurants from Camden to Islington. A timed itinerary for food lovers.
6 min read· 21 June 2026
Food & Drink
A North London Pub Crawl: A Route Through the Historic Pubs
A North London pub crawl itinerary, historic Hampstead and Highgate pubs, the Heath-edge inns and a walkable route through centuries of London drinking. Map and tips.
5 min read· 21 June 2026
Local Life
A Perfect Day in Camden: The Complete Itinerary
How to spend one perfect day in Camden, the markets, the canal, the Roundhouse, Primrose Hill and the best street food. A timed itinerary with costs and tips.
6 min read· 18 June 2026
Local Life
North London for First-Time Visitors: Everything You Need to Know
A first-timer's guide to North London, what to see, where to start, how to get around, where to eat and stay, and the mistakes to avoid. Everything you need to know.
6 min read· 16 June 2026
Local Life
The Best Gyms and Fitness Studios in Hampstead: From Budget to Boutique
The best gyms and fitness studios in Hampstead, boutique studios, council leisure centres, personal training and outdoor fitness on the Heath. Complete NW3 guide.
6 min read· 13 June 2026
Local Life
Things to Do in Camden Town: Beyond the Market
Camden Town is more than just the market. Street food, live music, Regent's Canal, the Roundhouse, independent shops and local pubs, a complete guide to NW1.
5 min read· 11 June 2026
History & Heritage
The Old Bull and Bush: The Hampstead Pub That Inspired a Song
The Old Bull and Bush: a practical, locally written guide, what to know, where to go, and how to plan your visit.
3 min read· 9 June 2026
History & Heritage
Hampstead Heath at War: Anti-Aircraft Guns, Doodlebugs and the Home Front
Anti-aircraft guns on Parliament Hill, a V1 flying bomb in the ponds, allotments and deep-tube shelters, the remarkable wartime history of Hampstead Heath, and where to find its traces today.
8 min read· 8 June 2026
Food & Drink
Best Bubble Tea in London 2026: The Complete Boba Guide
From Taiwanese originals in Chinatown to Korean fruit teas in Soho and inventive new hybrids across London, the bubble tea scene has become one of the city's most exciting drink cultures. Here is a complete guide to the best boba tea in London.
6 min read· 6 June 2026
Local Life
Best Cycle and Bicycle Shops in London 2026: The Complete Guide
Whether you are looking for a bespoke road bike, a restored vintage steel frame, a commuter e-bike, or a fixed-gear city machine, London's independent cycle shops are among the finest in the world. This guide covers the best bike shops by type and area.
8 min read· 5 June 2026
Local Life
Parking in Hampstead: Where to Park, Costs & Free Times
Hampstead is hard to drive into, narrow Georgian streets, steep hills and controlled parking everywhere. Here is exactly where to park, what it costs, and when it is free.
12 min read· 4 June 2026
Arts & Culture
Freud Museum London: The Complete Visitor's Guide to Sigmund Freud's Hampstead Home
At 20 Maresfield Gardens in Hampstead, Sigmund Freud spent the final year of his life surrounded by his famous couch, his extraordinary antiquities collection, and the intellectual legacy of a century of psychoanalysis. This guide covers everything you need to know before you visit.
10 min read· 3 June 2026
Arts & Culture
Hampstead Theatre London: The Complete Guide to One of Britain's Most Influential Stages
Since 1959, Hampstead Theatre has launched careers, premiered landmark plays, and quietly shaped the course of British drama. This complete guide covers the theatre's history, its 2026 season, how to get tickets, what to expect on the night, and why it remains one of the most important producing theatres in the country.
12 min read· 1 June 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Dog Walking on Hampstead Heath: The Complete Local Guide
800 acres of ancient woodland, meadow, and heath, plus a dedicated dog swimming pond. Everything you need to plan the perfect dog walk on Hampstead Heath: routes, off-lead zones, dog-friendly pubs, and seasonal tips.
12 min read· 30 May 2026
Local Life
Family Days Out in Hampstead: The Complete Guide
Hampstead offers an exceptional range of family-friendly activities, from kite flying on Parliament Hill to wildlife spotting on the Heath. Here's how to plan the perfect day.
14 min read· 20 May 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Swimming in Hampstead's Ponds: The Complete 2026 Guide
Hampstead Heath's open-air ponds are among the most extraordinary swimming spots in any world capital. Everything you need to know before you dive in.
10 min read· 10 May 2026
Food & Drink
Best Pubs in Hampstead: The Locals' Guide 2026
Hampstead has more good pubs per square mile than almost anywhere in London. Here's an honest ranking, from the historic coaching inns to the best neighbourhood locals.
5 min read· 25 April 2026
Local Life
Annual Events & Festivals in Hampstead: The Year-Round Guide 2026
The Kenwood concerts, the Heath summer fair, Open House Weekend, and the other calendar events that structure life in the village throughout the year.
5 min read· 8 April 2026
Arts & Culture
Theatre Near Hampstead: Beyond the Hampstead Theatre 2026
Hampstead Theatre on Eton Avenue is one of Londons best producing theatres. But the surrounding area has other theatrical options worth knowing about.
5 min read· 6 April 2026
Local Life
Renting in Hampstead: What Your Money Gets You 2026
Hampstead is one of Londons most expensive rental markets. Here is an honest breakdown of what different budgets can realistically expect.
5 min read· 2 April 2026
History & Heritage
Fenton House: Four Centuries of History & Collecting
The National Trusts oldest property in London hides a remarkable collection of keyboard instruments and porcelain behind its wisteria hung facade.
5 min read· 31 March 2026
History & Heritage
Turner and Hampstead: The Master of Light and the Heath
J.M.W. Turner made dozens of oil sketches of Hampstead skies in the 1820s. The story of those visits illuminates both the artist and the place.
7 min read· 30 March 2026
Food & Drink
The Best Pubs in Hampstead: A Complete Guide to 10 Great Pubs in NW3
Beyond the obvious: the pubs worth seeking out in Hampstead and the surrounding area, for atmosphere, beer, food, and the increasingly rare pleasure of a proper local.
12 min read· 30 March 2026
Arts & Culture
Art Galleries in Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
From Kenwood House's Old Masters to the contemporary galleries on Flask Walk, Hampstead has a genuinely remarkable concentration of places to look at art.
5 min read· 18 March 2026
Local Life
Hampstead Heath in Bloom: Wildflowers Through the Year 2026
From the first celandines of February to the last brambles of October Hampstead Heath stages a continuous wildflower display. Here is what to look for each month.
5 min read· 8 March 2026
Local Life
Schools in Hampstead NW3: The Complete Guide for Families (2026)
State schools, independent options, admission processes, and what local families actually say about education in the NW3 area, an honest guide without the estate agent gloss.
15 min read· 1 March 2026
History & Heritage
Church Row Hampstead: London's Finest Georgian Street
Built in the 1720s and barely altered since, Church Row is Hampstead's architectural masterpiece, a perfect Georgian terrace leading to St John's Church and one of London's most atmospheric churchyards.
6 min read· 25 February 2026
History & Heritage
The History of the Spaniards Inn: 400 Years of Legend
Dick Turpin, Lord Byron, John Keats, and Bram Stoker all passed through the same low door. The Spaniards Inn is one of the most storied buildings in London.
5 min read· 20 February 2026
History & Heritage
A Journey Through Hampstead's History
From a medieval manor to a bohemian retreat for London's greatest writers and thinkers, Hampstead's 900-year story is written in every cobblestone and Georgian doorway.
9 min read· 10 February 2026
Nature & Outdoors
The Ancient Trees of Hampstead Heath: A Complete Guide
Some of the oaks and hornbeams on Hampstead Heath are over 400 years old, predating the Great Fire of London. Here is a guide to finding and understanding them.
5 min read· 8 February 2026
Local Life
Hampstead's Hidden Alleys & Courtyards: A Walker's Guide 2026
Flask Walk, Oriel Place, Perrin's Court, Mount Vernon, Hampstead is a village built on lanes and alleys that most visitors never find. Here is where to look.
5 min read· 5 February 2026
Food & Drink
The Rise of the Hampstead Gastropub: A Decade of Change
The gastropub revolution of the 1990s hit Hampstead earlier and harder than most places. How has the village pub food scene evolved since?
5 min read· 4 February 2026
Local Life
The Architecture of Hampstead: A Street-by-Street Guide 2026
Hampsteads built environment spans four centuries. This guide works through the key periods and the streets that best represent each.
5 min read· 31 January 2026
History & Heritage
The Night the Pond Froze: Hampstead Heath's Coldest Winters
In the coldest winters of the 19th century the Heath ponds froze solid enough for skating. The records photographs and memories of those extraordinary events.
5 min read· 29 January 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Birdwatching on Hampstead Heath: The Complete Guide 2026
Over 180 species have been recorded on Hampstead Heath. From sparrowhawks hunting over the ponds to the nightingales that inspired Keats, the Heath is one of London's great birding destinations.
5 min read· 28 January 2026
Arts & Culture
Cinema in Hampstead: The Everyman & Beyond, Complete Guide 2026
The Everyman Hampstead pioneered the luxury cinema experience. Here is the full picture of where to watch films in NW3.
5 min read· 27 January 2026
Arts & Culture
Constable and Hampstead Heath: The Painter and His Skies
Between 1819 and 1837, John Constable produced over 100 oil sketches and paintings on Hampstead Heath. They changed the course of Western landscape painting. Here is the story of those years.
5 min read· 25 January 2026
Arts & Culture
The Freud Museum Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
In 1938, Sigmund Freud fled Vienna for Hampstead. He brought his couch, his library, and his extraordinary collection of antiquities. The house at Maresfield Gardens is now a museum, and one of London's most affecting.
5 min read· 10 January 2026