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
One Day in North London: The Perfect Itinerary
How to spend one perfect day in North London, Hampstead, the Heath, Highgate and Camden in a single walkable route, with timings, costs and where to eat.
Oliver Hartwell · 8 min read
Local Life
Hampstead Heath Parking: Where to Park, What It Costs, and When to Arrive
Parking at Hampstead Heath is possible but competitive. Here's where the car parks are and when to arrive.
Oliver Hartwell · 4 min read
Local Life
The Best Gyms and Fitness Studios in Hampstead: From Budget to Boutique
The best gyms and fitness studios in Hampstead, boutique studios, council leisure centres, personal training and outdoor fitness on the Heath. Complete NW3 guide.
James Calloway · 6 min read
Local Life
The Best Secondary Schools in North London: A Parent's Guide
The best secondary schools in North London, UCS, Highgate School, South Hampstead High, Camden School for Girls and top state options. A parent's complete guide.
Oliver Hartwell · 7 min read
Local Life
Things to Do in Camden Town: Beyond the Market
Camden Town is more than just the market. Street food, live music, Regent's Canal, the Roundhouse, independent shops and local pubs, a complete guide to NW1.
James Calloway · 5 min read
Local Life
Primrose Hill: A Complete Guide to the Neighbourhood and Park
Everything about Primrose Hill, the park, the views, the village high street, where to eat, and how to get there. A complete guide to NW1's most scenic neighbourhood.
Oliver Hartwell · 5 min read
Local Life
Camden Market: A Complete Visitor's Guide
A complete guide to Camden Market: the different markets, the best street food, opening times, what to buy, and how to combine it with a Hampstead visit.
Beatrice Thornton · 6 min read
Local Life
Things to Do in Hampstead: A Local's Honest Guide to NW3
The best things to do in Hampstead, written by locals: the Heath, the swimming ponds, Kenwood's free art, the village's hidden corners and historic pubs, and how to plan a day that beats the crowds.
Beatrice Thornton · 9 min read
Local Life
Highgate Village Guide: What to See, Eat, and Do in North London
A complete guide to Highgate Village: Highgate Cemetery, Waterlow Park, the historic High Street, the best pubs, getting there, and how it compares to Hampstead.
Oliver Hartwell · 8 min read
Local Life
Things to Do in Hampstead with Kids: The Complete Family Guide 2026
From kite flying on Parliament Hill to the Heath's secret ponds, Hampstead is one of London's best family days out.
Oliver Hartwell · 6 min read
Local Life
London Sightseeing by Private Black Cab: The Complete 2026 Guide
London's black cab drivers are the city's most knowledgeable guides, and a private sightseeing tour in a classic TX cab is the most personal, flexible way to see the capital.
Oliver Hartwell · 9 min read
Local Life
Hampstead Heath Kite Festival: The Complete Guide 2026
Once a year, Parliament Hill turns into the most colourful sky in London. Here's everything you need to know about the Kite Festival, and why it is worth planning your calendar around.
Oliver Hartwell · 5 min read
Local Life
Romantic Things to Do in North London: The Complete Guide 2026
North London, and Hampstead in particular, provides some of the most romantic settings in the city. This guide to the best romantic experiences requires no Tube to central London.
Oliver Hartwell · 5 min read
Local Life
West London Guide: The Complete 2026 Guide to Every Neighbourhood, From Notting Hill to Richmond
West London stretches from the grand terraces of Notting Hill and the royal parks of Kensington through the canal paths of Little Venice and the riverside villages of Chiswick and Kew to the ancient deer park of Richmond. This comprehensive guide covers every significant neighbourhood, with everything you need to know about visiting, eating, drinking, and exploring.
Oliver Hartwell · 15 min read
Local Life
Best Flea Markets & Vintage Shops in London 2026: Complete Guide
London has one of the richest secondhand and vintage scenes of any city in the world, from the antique dealers of Bermondsey at dawn to the vinyl hunters of Brick Lane on Sunday afternoon. This guide covers every significant flea market, vintage fair, and antiques destination in the capital.
Beatrice Thornton · 5 min read