Best Pharmacies in Hampstead: A Local's Guide

A reliable pharmacy is one of those neighbourhood essentials you only appreciate when you desperately need one at 7pm on a Friday. Hampstead is reasonably well served — here's where locals actually go.

Boots — Heath Street

The Boots on Heath Street is the area's largest pharmacy, with a full dispensary, a wide range of over-the-counter medicines, and a dedicated consultation room for private appointments. Opening hours are Monday–Saturday 9am–6pm, Sunday 10am–4pm. They offer NHS prescription dispensing, a Boots Advantage Card scheme, and a range of health screening services including blood pressure checks and cholesterol testing. Useful for stocking up, but queues at peak times can be long.

Well Pharmacy — Belsize Park

This independently operated Well Pharmacy branch on England's Lane is a quieter alternative, often praised by locals for the attentiveness of its pharmacists. They offer the full range of NHS services including the Pharmacy First scheme (minor ailment consultations without a GP appointment), emergency hormonal contraception, and travel vaccinations. Hours are Monday–Friday 9am–6.30pm, Saturday 9am–5pm.

LloydsPharmacy — South End Road

For those in the south of Hampstead closest to Belsize Park, the LloydsPharmacy on South End Road is convenient and reliably stocked. It's also one of the few pharmacies in the area open until 7pm on weekdays — useful for collecting prescriptions on the way home.

When the Pharmacies Are Closed

If you need medication outside of opening hours, the nearest 24-hour pharmacy is Zafash Pharmacy in Earl's Court (233–235 Old Brompton Road). Alternatively, the Royal Free Hospital has an on-site pharmacy accessible to the public during opening hours. For advice when pharmacies are closed, call NHS 111.

Tip: Pharmacy First

All NHS pharmacies now offer the Pharmacy First service — meaning you can walk in and see a pharmacist without a GP appointment for seven common conditions including earache, sore throat, sinusitis, and UTIs. This saves days of waiting and is completely free on the NHS. Worth remembering before you try to get a GP appointment.