Hampstead Walk 1 – Village, Artists and Hidden History

Hampstead is one of the highest points in London and, from the 17th century onwards, became a welcome escape from the overcrowding, pollution and diseases of central London. Its springs soon gave it a reputation as a spa, and over the centuries Hampstead attracted wealthy residents, writers, artists and musicians. Despite being so close to central London, it has retained a remarkably strong village atmosphere.
On this first Hampstead walk, we make our way uphill from Hampstead Tube Station towards Wyldes Farm, discovering some of the area's fascinating history along the way.
We begin with Oriel Place, where an unusual apartment block was originally built as housing for the poor, before continuing to Church Row, one of Hampstead's best-preserved Georgian streets.
We then visit St John-at-Hampstead, a beautiful church surrounded by an atmospheric old cemetery. Among those buried here are the celebrated painter John Constable and his family, as well as John Harrison, the 18th-century clockmaker whose marine chronometer solved the problem of determining longitude at sea. The churchyard also has a literary connection: it is said to have inspired the fictional tomb of Lucy in Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Continuing through Hampstead's picturesque streets, we discover the Church of St Mary, established for the local French Catholic community, a curious police watch tower, the former home of Robert Louis Stevenson, and a former hospital. We also pass the beautiful Holly Bush, one of Hampstead's most atmospheric pubs, which has attracted its share of famous visitors.
The route takes us past the former home of George du Maurier, the writer and cartoonist, and Admiral's House, whose unusual roof is designed to resemble the deck of a ship. The house was associated with a naval lieutenant and later with Sir George Gilbert Scott, the architect of St Pancras Station.
We continue past Hampstead Observatory and Whitestone Pond, before reaching Jack Straw's Castle, a former coaching inn and pub now converted into flats. It too has a literary connection with Dracula.
Our route then takes us to the enchanting Pergola and Hill Garden, once part of the grounds of Hill House, the enormous residence built for the soap manufacturer and philanthropist Lord Leverhulme.
Finally, we explore a few more interesting places around The Old Bull and Bush, before finishing with time to socialise at the pub. From here, there is a short bus journey to Golders Green Station, or a slightly longer route towards Archway and onwards to Finsbury Park.
Please note: this walk includes several steep hills and steps and is therefore not suitable for anyone who finds these difficult.
The walk is undertaken at your own risk.
It takes place on a Thursday and an earlier time.