Shopping in Hampstead: The Independent Shops Worth Your Money

Hampstead has, somewhat against the odds, maintained a healthy independent retail culture despite the pressures of rising rents and online shopping. Here's where to spend your money locally.

Daunt Books — Hampstead High Street

The Hampstead branch of Daunt is slightly smaller than the famous Marylebone flagship but shares the same character: beautifully arranged by geography, with an exceptionally well-chosen travel and literature selection and staff who know their stock. The basement section — long, narrow, with oak galleries — is one of the most pleasant bookshop spaces in London. Good for gifts as much as reading; their seasonal recommendations tables are consistently excellent.

The National Trust Shop — Heath Street

Surprisingly good for kitchenware, gifts, and the kind of well-made domestic objects that have become fashionable again. The NT cards and prints section is strong; the children's section is excellent for gifts. Proceeds support conservation work on the Heath.

Hampstead Kitchen — Flask Walk

A specialist kitchen shop that stocks the kind of equipment serious home cooks actually want rather than the novelty gadgets that fill most kitchen shops. Good selection of Japanese knives, French copper, and British cast iron. The staff are knowledgeable and will advise without pushing. Not cheap, but generally worth it.

Butler & Wilson — Hampstead High Street

The Hampstead outpost of the jewellery and accessories brand — known for its theatrical vintage-inspired pieces. Not for everyone, but consistently interesting and the kind of shop that rewards browsing.

The Antique Shops

Flask Walk and the streets off it have the best concentration of antique shops in the area — small, specialist dealers in prints, silver, ceramics, and mid-century furniture. Quality varies; the best are very good indeed. Saturday morning is the right time to browse properly.

What to Skip

The chains that have crept into the upper part of the High Street in recent years — the beauty brands, the fast-fashion outlets — are indistinguishable from those anywhere else in London. Hampstead's value is in the independents; the chains can wait.