Hampstead History
The name Hampstead is derived from the old English meaning heam meaning home, and stede, a place. In the Middle Ages two windmills and a chapel (later a parish church) were built on Hampstead hill. A small priory was also built in Kilburn. With the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII the priory was closed. Hampstead remained a peaceful rural community until the end of the seventeenth century.During the 19th century Hampstead significantly expanded as roads were built following the new railway lines which speeded up the development of thearea. The arrival of the North London Line (know known as the Silverlink line) in 1860 brought crowds of day-trippers to enjoy the Heath.
By 1891 the population of Hampstead was about 68,000 which was more than double that of 1871. As a result of this growth, new amenities were built including new churches, chapels, schools, a bigger and better workhouse, police and fire stations, a cemetery, water supply and sewage system. Hampstead also contained a fever hospital, a TB hospital (Mount Vernon). In 1974 The Royal Free Hospital was built in Pond Street and was officially opened by the Queen in 1978.
Church Row is one of the few almost preserved streets in its early eighteenth century elegance. There have been many notable residents including H.G Wells, Gracie Fields and one of Hampstead’s first historians, John James Park (there is a plaque in his name at No 18). At the end of the road is the parish church of St John’s. John Constable and his wife (who lived at 25-6 Downshire Hill) are buried in the courtyard.
Places of Interest
Kenwood HouseKenwood House is situated on Hampstead Heath and is a splendid neo-classical mansion with beautiful landscaped gardens. Works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Turner, Reynolds and Gainsborough all hang against a backdrop of sumptuous rooms. Locals and visitors enjoy the open air concerts that are held by the lake in the summer time.
“Like most great English houses, it has had its interesting moments in history. In 1780, during the Gordon riots when up to 50,000 Londoners took to the streets to protest against emancipation for Catholics, a small mob is said to have set off for Kenwood House with the intention of putting it to the torch.” (The Streets of West Hampstead, Camden History Society, 1992). The mob were luckily distracted by the alcoholic beverages offered by Hampstead's Spaniards Inn. The landlord Giles Thomas, realized what their intentions were, plied them with liquor and sent for the military, who prevented further devastation. In 1922 the contents of the house were sold and auction and plans were proposed to build housing in the surrounding grounds. Guinness millionaire, the first Earl of Iveagh, bought the House in 1925 for the massive sum of £107,900 and bequeathed the estate to the benefit of the public when he died in 1927.
Fenton House
Fenton House is one of London’s most enchanting National Trust 17th century country estate, built in about 1693 in the heart of Hampstead Village. Fenton House has a delightful walled garden with a 300 year old apple orchard. The house homes a stunning collection of European, Oriental and English porcelain, early keyboard instruments and rare examples of needlework pictures.
Hampstead Heath
The heath covers about 800 acres of uncultivated grass and woodland in London. It is protected and kept clean by Heath Rangers. The ponds are one the glories of Hampstead Heath. They were created for a number of reasons, but the bigger ones were originally dug out as reservoirs for London’s water supply in the 17th and 18th centuries. There are over 30 ponds on the heath but five main ones, three used for swimming
Going Out
Hampstead High Street has a good range of bars, pubs and restaurants offering a wide selection of food styles (Italian, Japanese, Greek), wine bars and of course the traditional English pub.The Freemasons Arms
32 Downshire Hill
Tel: 020 7433 6811
The Freemasons Arms is right next to Hampstead Heath, a perfect location, especially in the summer you can wile away the day enjoying good food, chilled wines and beers alfresco style in the large decked beer garden. The atmosphere at the Freemasons Arms is relaxed, friendly and informal.Villa Bianca
1 Perrins Court
Tel: 020 7435 3131
A cute little Italian restaurant located on a quaint side street of Hampstead High Street. The restaurant has a sophisticated ambience and an extensive menu and wine list including ‘risotto ai funghi’, ‘lamb fillet with spinach and mushrooms’. There is a relaxed atmosphere and evident attention to detail. There is also live music some nights of the week and the staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.Giraffe
46 Rosslyn Hill
Tel: 020 7435 0343
Giraffe has a lively and buzzing atmosphere and there is a very innovative and tasty menu with inspiration from all over the globe - something for everyone and it is served in generous portions! They also do a great range of fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies and operate a strict no smoking policy.Toast
50 Hampstead High Street
Tel: 020 7431 2244
The atmosphere changes every night, Monday and Friday nights are buzzing and the rest of the week are a bit more intimate. The staff are friendly and attentive and the drinks selection is extensive including a wide selection of cocktails. All drinks are half price on Thursday nights if you eat as well. The food is delicious and served in large portions (especially the chocolate fondant desert). The prices are fair and the attention to detail is really evident.
Bombay Bicycle Club
3 Downshire Hill
Tel: 020 7435 3044
The Bombay Bicycle Club in Hampstead is more than your average Indian restaurant/take away… they offer all the dishes you expect from an Indian including onion bhajees, masalas, biyrianis, daal. They do a selection of deserts you wouldn’t expect mango cheesecake, cinnamon chocolate fudge cake and a range of ice-creams.Holly Bush
22 Holly Mount NW3
Tel: 020 7435 2892
The Holly Bush is lovely traditional pub tucked away of Heath Street in Hampstead up some steps in Holly Mount. The building was built in 1643 and has retained many original features such as bare oak floor boards and ancient wooden furniture. You can keep warm in the winter by the real fire burning or sit out on the small terrace in the warmer weather. They serve up excellent hearty pub favourites including sausage/pie and mash as well as the unusual - pint of prawns and some delectable deserts. The resident beers are Benskins and Tetleys and there are always a couple of guest ales.
Parks and Open Spaces
Within easy reach of Hampstead Primrose Hill, Regents Park, London Zoo and Hampstead Heath. Regents Park has a fantastic landscape designed by John Nash and comprises of the largest outdoor sports area in London.It has a boating lake and an open-air theatre which is lovely entertainment for a summers evening. Another part of Regents Park is Primrose Hill, with a wide expanse of park land perfect for watching the world go by… you may even spot a celebrity!
London Zoo is a brilliant day out for people of any age, containing one of the world’s best collections of animals. Hampstead Heath is one of London’s major open spaces, consisting of almost 800 acres of mixed grassland and woodland. It is rather more parkland than heath, but does have plenty of semi-wild areas, sections of extensive tree cover and a number of small lakes reserved for boating and swimming.Some of information contained in our area guide has been extracted from the following publications: Hampstead Past and Present by Clive and David Smith. Sutton Publishng Ltd 2002. Hampstead, Highgate Village & Kenwood by Ian Norrie. High Hill Press 1983.
Transport Links
The UndergroundHampstead Underground station is located on the Northern (black) line which has good links to the City and Waterloo.
Rail
Hampstead Heath has an overground station located in South End Green (close to The Royal Free Hospital) on the Silverlink Metro Line which runs to Bedford, Milton Keynes, London Euston, Guidford.
Bus Routes
There are a good number of buses that run along Hampstead High Street which give easy access to the West End, Farringdon, The City.
The number 46 starts its route at Warwick Avenue station and proceeds to:
- Maida Vale
- St. Johns Wood
- Swiss Cottage
- Hampstead
- Kentish Town
- Camden High Street
- St. Pancras
- Kings Cross Stations
- Chancery Lane
- Holborn
- Farringdon
The number 210 runs from Brent Cross and proceeds to:
- Golders Green
- North End Way
- Heath Street
- Spaniards Road
- Hampstead Lane
- Highgate Village
- Whittington Hospital
- Archway
- Hornsey Rise
- Crouch End
- Finsbury Park
The number 603 starts at Muswell Hill Broadway and proceeds to:
- East Finchley
- North Road
- Hampstead Lane
- Spaniards Road
- Heath Street
- Fitzjohns Avenue
- Swiss Cottage.
The number 268 starts it route at Finchley Road 02 Centre and proceeds to:
- Swiss Cottage
- Belsize Park
- Royal Free Hospital
- Rosslyn Hill
- Hampstead High Street
- Heath Street
- North End Road
- Golders Green
Airport Links:
All four International airports can be reached reasonably easily from Hampstead. Stansted Airport can be reached by the 24-hour A6 coach route from Finchley Road (there is a bus stop located outside the O2 Centre). City Airport can be accessed by taking the Northern Line to Waterloo, changing onto the Jubilee Line to Canary Wharf and a shuttle bus. Heathrow Airport can be reached by traveling to Leicester Square on the Northern Line and changing onto the Piccadilly Line and travel onto Heathrow. To travel to Luton or Gatwick airports, go on the Northern Line to Kings Cross and then change to the Thameslink overground line and travel to Luton or Gatwick airport.