Writer
Oliver Hartwell
Hampstead, London
Oliver is a lifelong Hampstead resident and architectural historian who has spent three decades uncovering the stories behind the village's Georgian terraces, hidden lanes, and literary landmarks. His writing blends meticulous research with a warm, accessible style.
Articles by Oliver Hartwell
154 articles
Local Life
Things to Do in Tufnell Park: Pubs, Food and Local Life
A complete guide to Tufnell Park, the best pubs, restaurants, cafés, parks and what makes this quiet North London neighbourhood worth exploring.
7 min read· 2 July 2026
Local Life
Hampstead Events: The Annual Calendar of Festivals and Local Events
The complete Hampstead events calendar: from the Bank Holiday fairs to Kenwood concerts, the Guy Fawkes fireworks to Christmas markets. Everything that happens annually in NW3.
5 min read· 2 July 2026
Arts & Culture
Stephen King's Crouch End: The Story Behind the Story
Stephen King's Crouch End, a locally written guide with insider tips, the best spots, and what to know before you go. Plan your visit with confidence.
2 min read· 1 July 2026
Local Life
Getting to Alexandra Palace: Transport, Tube and Parking
Getting to Alexandra Palace, a locally written guide with insider tips, the best spots, and what to know before you go. Plan your visit with confidence.
2 min read· 1 July 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Where to See Spring Blossom in Hampstead and the Heath
From cherry blossom on the village streets to magnolia in the gardens and hawthorn across the Heath, where to find spring blossom in Hampstead and when it peaks.
3 min read· 1 July 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Dog-Friendly Hampstead: The Best Walks, Pubs, and Cafes for You and Your Dog
Hampstead Heath is one of London's best places to walk a dog — 790 acres of off-lead space.
5 min read· 30 June 2026
Food & Drink
The Best Butchers and Fishmongers in Hampstead and North London
Where to buy proper meat and fish in Hampstead and North London, traditional butchers, fishmongers, farmers' market stalls and what quality costs in NW3.
3 min read· 30 June 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Regent's Canal Walk: The Complete London Towpath Guide
Walk the Regent's Canal from Paddington to Limehouse, all sections covered. Little Venice, Camden, King's Cross, Islington, Hackney and the Olympic Park. Maps, stops, cafés.
4 min read· 30 June 2026
Nature & Outdoors
A Night Walk on Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath after dark is one of the few places in London that gets properly dark and quiet. A guide to walking the Heath at night, what to expect and how to stay safe.
4 min read· 30 June 2026
History & Heritage
The Lost Rivers of Hampstead: Following the Fleet Underground
The River Fleet rises on Hampstead Heath and runs buried under London to the Thames. A guide to Hampstead's lost rivers, their source ponds and how to trace them.
5 min read· 30 June 2026
Local Life
The Best Areas to Live in North London: An Honest Guide for 2025
Hampstead, Highgate, Islington, Stoke Newington — how they compare on price, transport, and character.
6 min read· 29 June 2026
Local Life
New to Hampstead? Everything You Need to Know About Living in NW3
A field guide for arrivals, written with the precision of an observer and the warmth of a neighbour. The geography, the rhythm, the services, and the streets worth knowing before the crowds find them.
18 min read· 28 June 2026
History & Heritage
The Highgate Vampire: London's Strangest Ghost Hunt
In 1970 two men declared a televised vampire hunt at Highgate Cemetery. The story of the Highgate Vampire, the panic it caused and what was really going on.
4 min read· 26 June 2026
History & Heritage
The Archway Bridge: History of Hornsey Lane's Famous Iron Span
The story of the Archway Bridge on Hornsey Lane, its Victorian origins, its infamous history, the views across London, and what to know before you visit.
7 min read· 26 June 2026
Local Life
Hampstead Heath Map: A Guide to Every Section of the Heath
Hampstead Heath covers 790 acres across seven distinct sections. Here's how to navigate every area.
5 min read· 25 June 2026