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
69 articles
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