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.
Local Life
Getting to Hampstead Heath: Tube, Bus and Train
Hampstead Heath has many entrances served by different stations and buses. A guide to the best way to reach each part of the Heath, from Parliament Hill to Kenwood.
James Calloway · 4 min read
Local Life
North London with Toddlers: A Stress-Free Day Out
A stress-free North London day out with toddlers, the free zoo, playgrounds, paddling pools, the duck ponds and buggy-friendly cafés. A practical itinerary for little ones.
Beatrice Thornton · 3 min read
Local Life
Rainy Day in Hampstead: The Best Indoor Things to Do
Rainy Day in Hampstead, your local guide to the best spots, insider tips, and everything worth knowing before you go. Read on to plan the perfect visit.
James Calloway · 2 min read
Local Life
A Date Night in North London: The Perfect Evening Out
The perfect date night in North London, sunset on Primrose Hill, candlelit dinners, the Everyman cinema, jazz and cosy pubs. Romantic evening ideas with a route.
Beatrice Thornton · 3 min read
Local Life
Old Spitalfields Market London: A Complete Guide
Old Spitalfields Market guide, what to buy, the best stalls, opening days, the Thursday antiques market, street food and what to do nearby in E1.
Beatrice Thornton · 3 min read
Local Life
Hampstead's Luxury Side: High-End Dining, Shopping, and Stays
Hampstead's Luxury Side: High-End Dining, Shopping, and Stays, a locally written, practical guide to what to know, where to go, and how to plan your vi...
Beatrice Thornton · 2 min read
Local Life
Parliament Hill Hampstead: The Complete Guide to London's Best View
Parliament Hill offers the finest panoramic view of London from ground level, and it's free. Here's the complete guide: best time to visit, how to get there, and what you can see.
Oliver Hartwell · 6 min read
Local Life
Yoga, Wellness, and Mindful Spaces in Hampstead
Yoga, Wellness, and Mindful Spaces in Hampstead, a locally written guide with insider tips, the best spots, and what to know before you go. Plan your visit...
Beatrice Thornton · 2 min read
Local Life
The Best Florists in Hampstead: Where NW3 Buys Its Flowers
The best florists in Hampstead, village flower shops, wedding florists, same-day delivery and where to buy flowers in NW3, plus the Columbia Road alternative.
Beatrice Thornton · 3 min read
Local Life
Best Bookshops in North London: An Independent's Guide
The best independent bookshops in North London, from Hampstead to Islington, Stoke Newington to Camden. A complete guide to North London's best places to buy books.
Oliver Hartwell · 3 min read
Local Life
Things to Do in Tufnell Park: Pubs, Food and Local Life
A complete guide to Tufnell Park, the best pubs, restaurants, cafés, parks and what makes this quiet North London neighbourhood worth exploring.
Oliver Hartwell · 7 min read
Local Life
Hampstead Events: The Annual Calendar of Festivals and Local Events
The complete Hampstead events calendar: from the Bank Holiday fairs to Kenwood concerts, the Guy Fawkes fireworks to Christmas markets. Everything that happens annually in NW3.
Oliver Hartwell · 5 min read
Local Life
Getting to Alexandra Palace: Transport, Tube and Parking
Getting to Alexandra Palace, a locally written guide with insider tips, the best spots, and what to know before you go. Plan your visit with confidence.
Oliver Hartwell · 2 min read
Local Life
Haunted Hampstead: The Village's Ghost Stories and Spooky Corners
Hampstead's ghost stories, from the highwayman at the Spaniards Inn to the spectres of the Heath and the old churchyards. A guide to the village's haunted history.
James Calloway · 5 min read
Local Life
The Best Areas to Live in North London: An Honest Guide for 2025
Hampstead, Highgate, Islington, Stoke Newington — how they compare on price, transport, and character.
Oliver Hartwell · 6 min read