Hampstead Underground station, London
Guided by David or Peter G. or Richard III
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday | Weekly | 10.30 am | 1 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
Wednesday | Weekly | 2 pm | 4 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
Led by guides who know this area of London inside out (they’re locals), they don’t come much better than our Hampstead walk. Mr London Walks himself, David (who admittedly is rather biased) names this as his favourite London walking tour (just don’t tell the others!)
The North London district of Hampstead stands on the Northern Heights looking down on the City of London. The Northern Heights – David’s walk goes there – is the roof of London. It offers spectacular panoramic views across Greater London. As does Parliament Hill. On a clear day you can see all the way to Kent. That’s the big-picture view. Tighten the focus and you’ve got spectacular views of the City of London skyline.
The crown jewel of the Northern Heights is of course Kenwood with its lovely grounds and conservatory and arguably the finest private library in the land and of course its magnificent art gallery. Let alone its splendid cafe. And – embarrassment of riches – it’s free to visit.
But Hampstead’s chief glory is Hampstead Heath. Meadows and fields and ponds and trees – a huge stretch of countryside smack in the middle of a great world city. It’s unique. No other city in the world has anything like it. Those glorious green expanses aren’t just the focal point of Hampstead, they’re the key ingredient. They transform Hampstead from a lovely north London neighbourhood to something extraordinary.
Hampstead is like a country village (hence it being known as Hampstead Village) and yet it’s in the heart of London. Walk down Hampstead High Street and you’ll find the usual suspects, but it’s meandering through the winding walkways that will enable you to discover Hampstead, as you’ll find out on our circular Hampstead walk.
A mere 15 minutes on the tube from Hampstead tube station and you’re in buzzing Central London.
Hampstead is often referred to as Georgian, but its history goes way further back than that. We’re not talking 17th century either. There’s a recording of 986AD, but there is evidence of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers too.
Our London Walks Hampstead Village guides have such a wealth of knowledge about this area (and more). It means that you learn an awful lot in a small space of time. On a self-guided walk, you’d have to get stuck into Hampstead many times over a period of years to discover as much, and it wouldn’t be as much fun.
This arty suburb has attracted creatives for centuries. We’ll point out some houses of the famous (alive and dead) including John Constable, Boy George, H.G Wells, Wilkie Collins, Kenneth Clark, Kingsley Amis, Mr Bean, Ricky Gervais, Gerald DuMaurier and his daughter Daphne DuMaurier, Kenneth Clark, John Le Carre, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Judi Dench… the list just goes on and on.
John Keats started to write poetry here in The Vale of Health. John Constable painted skylines and his view of St Paul’s Cathedral from here.
You’ll see Fenton House, the oldest grand house in Hampstead, it’s a National Trust property. Then there’s Admiral’s House, built by a retired Navy Lieutenant (not an admiral at all). John Constable lived nearby and featured it in a painting too. P L Travers gained inspiration here that influenced the Mary Poppins story.
As you’d expect, we’ll walk around parts of the heath – West Heath and the main section with wonderful viewing platforms (like the one at Parliament Hill).
You’ll discover Well Walk (off East Heath Road) and Flask Walk, a lively, buzzing little pedestrian-only shopping lane with everything from antiques to sushi to a great pub (The Flask) and a Turkish barbers.
Our circular walk ends at Church Row.
A few other places to visit in Hampstead:
These places need time to explore properly in their own right. We highly recommend you do so.
Kenwood House – an English Heritage property that hosts incredible events and has a rich history to explore
Burgh House – a historic, Queen Anne listed home that incorporates Hampstead Museum
Highgate Ponds – are you brave enough for a dip on the east heath? It’s an exhilarating experience
The Holly Bush pub – a wonderful, traditional 18th century Georgian inn that has everything you want from a pub experience. Find it off Holly Bush Hill.
Hill Garden and pergola – a beautiful west heath Georgian arbour and terrace.
The Old Hampstead Village & Heath walk takes place at 10:30 am every Sunday morning, year-round. The Sunday morning walk is guided by David*
The Old Hampstead Village & Heath walk also takes place at 2 pm every Wednesday afternoon (except in January and February). The 2 pm Wednesday afternoon Hampstead walk is guided by Richard III or Peter.
The meeting point is just outside the exit of Hampstead underground station. That’s at the bottom of Heath Street and top of Hampstead High Street.
The walk ends in Church Row, Hampstead’s grandest street, just a stone’s throw from Hampstead Tube station.
Hear from our guides:
Hampstead podcasts
Hampstead: an introduction from David.
Another David podcast about Hampstead.
By Orchard Pond – David’s been out on Hampstead Heath listening to nature
Jan’s podcast on Hampstead Heath and Kenwood.
This is why you go on walking tours (well, it’s one reason, a helluva good reason)
Things to Do in Hampstead, A Local’s Guide
Hampstead videos
LONDON WALKS VIDEOS
David’s video number 1
And here’s our 2nd Hampstead film
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, Hampstead Village & Heath it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Hampstead Village & Heath walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Niamh or Peter or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
James –
A wonderful ramble around a gorgeous part of London, informatively delivered with style, humour, and passion from a local guide who really knows his stuff. I have visited Hampstead so many times over the years and thought I had a pretty good knowledge, but David just kept the revelations coming and coming. A perfect mix of history, heath and higgledy-piggledy lanes, with interesting characters both past and present whose stories have shaped this unique part of London. Expertly delivered and thoroughly recommended. Thank you David.
Dave Thomas –
It’s not many guided walks that give you so much as David’s tour of Hampstead. He takes you to places you’re unlikely to find on your own then talks with the authority of someone who has researched not only what you see today but why it’s there, how it has changed and the connections of people past and present. He tells stories both first and second hand, that bring the place to life. At the end of the walk you feel you want to stay as there’s more to be discovered by your self.
Steele Family –
We walked with David on Christmas Eve and it was delightful. Our family group ranged from 18 to 80 years of age and he entertainingly guided us through streets and stories we simply didn’t know existed.
Jens –
Nice tour in a beautifull area.
Stacey Patton –
Yesterday was a cold day for the Hampstead tour but the tour must go on! I enjoyed the tour but it ended after an hour and a half rather than a full two hours. I’ve taken the Cotswold and Bloomsbury tours which were both fantastic and memorable. I may try the Sunday morning Hampstead tour for a comparison as there is more to see and Sunday offers two and a half hours. Or wait until the warmer months, as we could spend more time walking through the heath and visiting the museums currently closed for the winter.
Sandie Joy –
Very enjoyable, informative walk with Richard the 3rd! Great anecdotes and humour, as well as his encyclopaedic knowledge of a lovely part of London.
Would definitely recommend.
David Sohl –
I’ve been going on London Walks since about 2005, and this has to be my favorite. The subject matter is beautiful with a fascinating story, but the thing that makes this walk special (unsurprisingly) is the guide. David, like all of the Walks guides, is superbly knowledgeable about his subject matter, but what really separates this walk (and guide) is David’s passion about Hampstead and its remarkable history. He enhanced this walk with several emails (both before, suggesting some pre-walk sights) and after (with a collection of special photos and prose), as well as during the walk with some remarkable photographs that only someone who has spent years living in the area and creating relationships with other homeowners would be able to obtain. I’m sure I’ll be on many more Walks after this one, but this will forever stick in my memory as the most fullfilling.
Heidi Wagner –
If I could give more than 5 stars I would!! I have been to the Heath many times and curious what could be added by this walk; more than imagined! I did not hear one thing that wasn’t new, unique, quirky, interesting and novel. Just like the London Walks podcasts. The time flew by on the walk as we were spellbound by our Guide David. The walk takes one to areas not usually trod when on a DIY visit to the Heath and absolutely delightful. Don’t be intimidated by a walk in the massive Heath, David guides the group leisurely and on easily navigatable routes. I strongly suggest obtaining a copy of the London Walks book, “London Stories” as a primer before walks and then a memory jogger after walks. This walk is a “no misser”! Fabulous!
Valerie Ramsay –
Went on the Hempstead walk today with David… absolutely loved it! Wonderfully enjoyable….great information! Loved David’s tour!!!
Christine Morgan –
David is an exceptional guide for an exceptional part of London. His stories are very interesting, and poetic, even. He has been guiding for 44 years, and his knowledge and skills really come through: the tour was perfectly paced, David was very considerate of everyone in making sure he could be heard, making sure everyone caught up before talking. He was so perceptive of the guests on the tour. Everything was just right. We loved the walk and saw parts of Hampstead we hadn’t seen before and learned a lot as well. Just delightful all around and well recommended
Bo Simons –
David weaved takes and insights into a delightful couple of hours on the streets and the heath of Hampstead. Neolithic man, Ridley Scott, tragic death, swans, Daphne DuMaurier and her family all tramp along with you. Mostly, for me anyway, it was the long against-the-odds story of struggle to keep the Heath wild against remorseless urban encroachment and the rich and powerful men who sought to destroy its fragile beauty. While showing you that beauty and the human and God-given wonders of this corner of London, David brings out the courage and persistence of those who kept at it have saved it thus far. Bracing stuff.
David Goodwin –
I’m a walking tour fan for many decades in many cities, and London Walks is my favorite. David excelled the norm. Informative, entertaining, with full of the multiple details that make walking tours great.
As a nice touch he sends a note out before, giving you advice as to what you can do if you get to the area early, what to do after the tour, and other helpful hints.