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
149 articles
Nature & Outdoors
Cold-Water Swimming in Hampstead's Ponds: The Winter Guide 2026
Hampstead Ponds are open every day of the year, rain or shine, including in the depths of winter when the water drops to 4°C. Here is how to swim safely in the cold.
5 min read· 4 June 2026
Local Life
Living in Belsize Park NW3: The Complete 2026 Area Guide
Belsize Park is one of London's most desirable residential neighbourhoods, quieter than Hampstead, more established than Primrose Hill, with excellent schools and exceptional transport.
8 min read· 4 June 2026
Food & Drink
The Spaniards Inn Hampstead: Complete Guide 2026
Highwaymen, poets, a mob that nearly burned it down, the Spaniards Inn has seen it all. Here's the full story, and why it's still worth the pilgrimage.
5 min read· 4 June 2026
History & Heritage
Kenwood House Hampstead: The Complete Visitor Guide 2026
Most Londoners drive past the gates without looking twice. Those who stop discover one of the finest art collections in England, and it's completely free.
5 min read· 4 June 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Hampstead Heath Running Routes: The Complete Guide 2026
From Parliament Hill sprints to the full Heath circuit, Hampstead Heath offers some of the finest off-road running in London, once you know which paths to take.
5 min read· 4 June 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Hampstead Heath Playgrounds: The Complete Family Guide 2026
Hampstead Heath has multiple playgrounds, an adventure playground, and a lido paddling pool, making it one of London's most complete family destinations.
5 min read· 4 June 2026
Food & Drink
Golders Green Food Guide 2026: London's Most Diverse Eating Quarter
Golders Green Road is one of London's most extraordinary eating streets, a kilometre of kosher bakeries, Japanese restaurants, Israeli cafés, and Turkish grills that few Londoners outside NW11 fully appreciate.
10 min read· 4 June 2026
Food & Drink
Best Brunch in Hampstead 2026: The Complete Guide
Hampstead's brunch scene is one of London's best kept secrets, a collection of independent cafes and neighbourhood restaurants that do weekend mornings exceptionally well.
5 min read· 3 June 2026
Arts & Culture
Everyman Cinema Hampstead: The Complete Guide 2026
The Everyman Cinema in Hampstead is what cinema should be, intimate screens, sofa seating, excellent food and wine delivered to your seat, and a programme that takes film seriously.
5 min read· 3 June 2026
Food & Drink
Belsize Park Cafes & Restaurants: The Complete Local Guide 2026
Belsize Park sits between Hampstead and Primrose Hill with its own distinct food scene, quieter than its neighbours but with some of the finest neighbourhood restaurants in North London.
5 min read· 3 June 2026
Arts & Culture
Keats House Hampstead: Complete Visitor Guide 2026
Keats House in Hampstead is where John Keats wrote his greatest poems, including the Ode to a Nightingale, composed under a plum tree in the garden on a spring morning in 1819.
9 min read· 2 June 2026
History & Heritage
Kenwood House: The Complete Visitor's Guide
A Rembrandt self-portrait, a Vermeer, 112 acres of landscaped parkland, and free entry, Kenwood House is one of London's finest cultural experiences. Here's everything you need to know before you visit.
11 min read· 30 May 2026
Nature & Outdoors
Summer in Hampstead: The Complete Seasonal Guide (2026)
Discover the best of Hampstead in summer, from wild swimming at the ponds and Kenwood concerts to rooftop pub gardens, farmers markets, and golden-hour walks across the Heath.
12 min read· 29 May 2026
Food & Drink
Best Restaurants in Hampstead Village: The Complete Guide 2026
Hampstead Village has one of North London's most rewarding restaurant scenes, intimate neighbourhood spots, long-established Italian trattorias and contemporary kitchens. This is where to eat in NW3 in 2026.
5 min read· 27 May 2026
Arts & Culture
Hampstead's Art Scene: Galleries and Studios Worth Visiting
From Kenwood's Old Masters to contemporary gallery spaces on Flask Walk, Hampstead has always been a serious destination for art. Here's where to look.
13 min read· 24 May 2026