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
156 articles
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
History & Heritage
Hampstead's Literary Heritage: From Keats to George Orwell
More writers, poets and novelists have lived in Hampstead than almost anywhere else in England. A guide to the literary history of the village and heath.
11 min read· 16 May 2026
Local Life
Hidden Gems of Hampstead: 10 Places Only Locals Know About
Beyond the famous Heath and the well-trodden high street, Hampstead hides a surprising number of extraordinary places. Here are ten worth seeking out.
13 min read· 12 May 2026
Local Life
Hampstead in Winter: The Complete Village Guide 2026
When the rest of London feels grey and crowded, Hampstead comes into its own. Our guide to the best pubs, cafés, walks and winter pleasures in NW3.
5 min read· 7 May 2026
History & Heritage
The Story of Flask Walk: Hampstead's Spa Town Heritage
Flask Walk is the heart of old Hampstead, a narrow pedestrianised lane lined with independent shops, a famous pub, and 300 years of history. Here's the full story.
5 min read· 1 May 2026
Local Life
Visiting Hampstead: The Perfect Day Trip from London
Hampstead is 25 minutes from central London and feels like another world. Here is how to spend a day, or a weekend, in one of England's most remarkable urban villages.
10 min read· 22 April 2026
Local Life
New Year's Day on Hampstead Heath: Swim, Walk & Tradition
Hampstead marks the first morning of the year with an open water swim in near freezing water and a walk that draws thousands. The tradition explained.
6 min read· 16 April 2026
Local Life
Hampstead High Street: The Complete Guide to London's Best Village High Street
Hampstead High Street, locally known as Heath Street, runs from the tube station to the edge of the Heath. It is one of the few remaining high streets in London where chains have not entirely won.
9 min read· 15 April 2026
Local Life
Things To Do in Hampstead: The Complete Local Guide
Hampstead offers more per square mile than almost anywhere in London. This is the complete guide to the neighbourhood, from dawn swims on the Heath to late-night pints at the Spaniards Inn.
14 min read· 8 April 2026