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.
Nature & Outdoors
The Best Time to Visit Hampstead Heath: A Season-by-Season Guide
The Best Time to Visit Hampstead Heath: A Season-by-Season Guide, a locally written, practical guide to what to know, where to go, and how to plan your...
Beatrice Thornton · 2 min read
Nature & Outdoors
Where to See Spring Blossom in Hampstead and the Heath
From cherry blossom on the village streets to magnolia in the gardens and hawthorn across the Heath, where to find spring blossom in Hampstead and when it peaks.
Oliver Hartwell · 3 min read
Nature & Outdoors
Dog-Friendly Hampstead: The Best Walks, Pubs, and Cafes for You and Your Dog
Hampstead Heath is one of London's best places to walk a dog — 790 acres of off-lead space.
Oliver Hartwell · 5 min read
Nature & Outdoors
Hampstead at Christmas: The Complete Guide to December in the Village
Christmas in Hampstead — fairy lights on Flask Walk, frost on the Heath, and the Holly Bush fireplace.
Beatrice Thornton · 5 min read
Food & Drink
The Best Butchers and Fishmongers in Hampstead and North London
Where to buy proper meat and fish in Hampstead and North London, traditional butchers, fishmongers, farmers' market stalls and what quality costs in NW3.
Oliver Hartwell · 3 min read
Nature & Outdoors
Regent's Canal Walk: The Complete London Towpath Guide
Walk the Regent's Canal from Paddington to Limehouse, all sections covered. Little Venice, Camden, King's Cross, Islington, Hackney and the Olympic Park. Maps, stops, cafés.
Oliver Hartwell · 4 min read
Food & Drink
The Best Bagels in North London
North London's bagel history runs deep, from the all-night shops of Brick Lane to the bakeries of Golders Green and Finchley. Where to find a proper salt-beef bagel.
Beatrice Thornton · 3 min read
Nature & Outdoors
A Night Walk on Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath after dark is one of the few places in London that gets properly dark and quiet. A guide to walking the Heath at night, what to expect and how to stay safe.
Oliver Hartwell · 4 min read
History & Heritage
The Lost Rivers of Hampstead: Following the Fleet Underground
The River Fleet rises on Hampstead Heath and runs buried under London to the Thames. A guide to Hampstead's lost rivers, their source ponds and how to trace them.
Oliver Hartwell · 5 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
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
Arts & Culture
Films and TV Shows Filmed in Hampstead
Hampstead has appeared in everything from Mary Poppins to Killing Eve. A guide to the films and TV shows shot in Hampstead and on the Heath, and where to find the locations.
James Calloway · 4 min read
Food & Drink
The Best Vegan Restaurants in North London
Where to eat well as a vegan in North London, from dedicated plant-based kitchens in Camden and Islington to Hampstead cafes with proper vegan options. A local guide.
Beatrice Thornton · 4 min read
Local Life
Hampstead vs Highgate: Which North London Village Wins?
Hampstead and Highgate are North London's two hilltop villages, separated by the Heath. An honest comparison of their pubs, views, history and feel to help you choose.
James Calloway · 4 min read