Hampstead has been described as ‘The village that grew up late’. Today it is known the world over as a very special part of London with its spacious Heath, the old ponds, luxury shops, restaurants and some of the most beautiful streets and houses in the city. Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland, has been the favourite playground and meeting place for Londoners for centuries.

The route taken by this walk leads on from West Hampstead across the roaring highway of Finchley Road and up, by old, steep shepherd paths, to the top of Branch Hill close by the highest spot in London. Circling around the upper part of the village it returns by way of Frognal Lane and ends back at Swiss Cottage. 

The village has been home to countless eminent politicians, artists, musicians, writers, singers, historians, scientists, and actors who have made their homes here. In this Hampstead walk you’ll trace the footsteps of George Romney, Keats, and John Constable. More recently it has been the home of writers such as John Galsworthy and Robert Louis-Stevenson and politicians Hugh Gaitskill and Sidney and Beatrice Webb.

The other arts are well represented by musicians Adrian Boult, Dennis Brain, Paul Robeson, Edward Elgar, Kathleen Ferrier, John McCormack and William Walton. Always a favourite with the acting profession you’ll find the homes of Alastair Sim and George du Maurier.

Since the eighteenth century developers have made it one of the most expensive housing areas in the London area and it now has more millionaires within its boundaries than almost any other part of the United Kingdom. It still, however, regularly returns a Labour Member of Parliament at General Elections.

Today Hampstead is part of the London Borough of Camden, and has many intellectual, liberal, artistic, music and literary links. At any time along the way relax at one of the many pavement cafes and pubs where you can join in Hampstead’s favourite game of watching the celebrities pass by!