Hampstead, or Hampstead Village as it’s known by locals is one of the nicest areas of London. It’s located in zone 2, just 3 stops on the tube away from the busy area of Camden Town yet when you arrive it’s peaceful, historic and very pretty.
Hampstead is the perfect place to visit no matter what time of year or day of the week but it is particularly nice on a weekend as locals will also be out, coffee in one hand, dog in the other enjoying their neighbourhood.
Wander up Flask Walk
Located slightly down the hill from Hampstead Heath Tube Station is the small lane of Flask Walk. This lane encapsulates Hampstead so well, it’s quaint and old and home to many long-standing independent stores.
You can check out the Antiques at Keith Fawkes Antique Shop, get an Ice Cream at Oddono’s, get Sushi at Sushi Hanna, or get a beer at The Flask Pub.
Walk Around Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is the main focal point of Hampstead and the reason why most people visit.
This huge park offers walking trails, ponds, and an incredible view of the City from the top of Parliament Hill.
Something unique to Hampstead Heath Park is that it has 3 swimming/bathing ponds. One for Females, one for Males, and one that is Mixed.
The Hill Garden and Pergola is located in Hampstead Heath but it’s located in the North-Western section and because of this not as many people go but that’s their loss.
If you’ve been to Hampstead Heath before and you’ve already seen the view from Parliament Hill, my recommendation would be to head here instead.
It’s an incredibly impressive, old building with beautiful flower gardens that you can walk around and best of all, it’s free and it’s usually quite quiet and peaceful.
Marvel at Fenton House
Fenton House is Hampstead’s oldest mansion and it’s a very impressive building as it’s a 17th-century merchants house. If you’re into music or art, you can go inside and see hidden treasures and collections of early musical instruments and ceramics.
If you do not want to pay to go inside I think it is still worth walking past as it’s in a nice area of Hampstead full of big houses and small side streets, I love walking around this area of Hampstead.
Learn about Hampstead at the Hampstead Museum
Hampstead Museum is located inside Burgh House which is a beautiful building, one of my favour-ites in Hampstead actually.
It’s free to enter and the museum provides some insightful history on the Village of Hampstead so it’s worth popping in as you walk by.
There’s also a courtyard outside where you can enjoy a coffee or get some lunch. The courtyard is surrounded by trees and feels like a little oasis within the quiet streets of the Village.
Go to the Everyman Cinema
If you fancy going to Hampstead but the weather is not that good, a good indoor activity in Hampstead is to go to the Everyman Cinema.
There are only a few Everyman Cinemas in London and the concept is watching a film on a sofa with food and drink service.
It is a unique cinema experience and beforehand you could get lunch or dinner at one of Hampstead’s brilliant restaurants or cafes.
Visit Kenwood House
Kenwood House is a place I recommend you walk to in Hampstead Heath Park, it’s a beautiful former stately home and you can head inside to see the interior of the home or enjoy the gardens from the outside.
There’s a cafe and toilets next to the house so it’s a lovely spot to stop at on a walk around Hampstead Heath, especially on a Sunday morning.
Follow in John Keats’s Footsteps
John Keats, the famous Romantic Poet had and still has a huge influence on Hampstead, many streets and buildings are named after him. Keats House Museum was once his home and here you can read more about his life and his work.
It is very close to Hampstead Heath so you could visit the museum and then go for a walk around the Heath. Note that it is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Take a Peek at How Freud Lived and Worked at the Freud Museum
Explore the home of the famed neurologist Sigmund Freud, who remained in the family until his daughter died in 1982. The museum promotes Freud’s incredible legacy, including around 2500 items from Freud’s collection.
Freud’s famous psychoanalytic chair remains the centrepiece of the museum. Other rooms like the study are preserved as they were in the great man’s day. The gorgeous garden is well worth a stroll around, kept pretty much as Freud would have remembered. Take a house tour to hear all the stories behind the items you can see.
Engage with Artists at Camden Arts Centre
Camden Arts Centre has been supporting and promoting artists for over 50 years. Housed within a beautiful building in Finchley, a former library, visitors are encouraged to come and see the artists and exhibitions. The centre is free to enter, making high-calibre art accessible to all.
Make sure you visit the café which has soon built up an excellent reputation, with vegan and vegetarian food to the fore. The tranquil terrace garden is the perfect spot for relaxation and contemplation, while in keeping with the building’s former use, a reading room and bookshop can also be found here.