The Journal
From the Blog
Dispatches from the village — written by people who walk these streets every day. History, food, culture and the stories behind the places you love.
Autumn Colours on Hampstead Heath: Where to Go and What to See
October and November transform Hampstead Heath into a painter's canvas of gold, amber and rust. Here's where to find the best colour, and when.
Beatrice Thornton
19 May 2026 · 6 min read
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.
Oliver Hartwell
18 min read
History & Heritage
The Story of Flask Walk: Hampstead's Most Charming Street
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.
Oliver Hartwell
15 min read
Local Life
Kenwood House Concerts 2026: Everything You Need to Know
The Kenwood House concerts are one of London's great summer traditions — open-air classical and popular music on the lawn of a Robert Adam mansion, with fireworks over Hampstead Heath.
Oliver Hartwell
7 min read
Food & Drink
The Best Pubs in Hampstead: A Local's Complete Guide
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.
James Calloway
7 min read
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.
Oliver Hartwell
10 min read
Local Life
New Years Day on the Heath: The Swim the Walk and the 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.
Oliver Hartwell
3 min read
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.
Oliver Hartwell
9 min read
Food & Drink
Late Night Eating in and Around Hampstead
Where to find a decent meal after 10pm in an area that tends to wind down early — the late-night options, ranked honestly.
Beatrice Thornton
3 min read
Local Life
Primary Schools in Hampstead: A Parents Guide
School choice is one of the biggest decisions families face when moving to Hampstead. Here is an honest account of what is available.
Beatrice Thornton
3 min read
Food & Drink
Flask Walk: The Street That Defines Hampstead
The pedestrianised lane running south from Hampstead High Street contains more character per metre than almost anywhere in London.
Beatrice Thornton
3 min read
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.
Oliver Hartwell
14 min read